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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a vision. 

Strengthening Teacher Professional Development is a central priority in transforming teaching and learning in the Solomon Islands. To achieve this, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) is undergoing significant education reforms, guided by the newly enacted Education Act of 2023, the National Education Action Plan (2022-2026), the Education Strategy Framework (2016-2030), and the Partnership Compact (2023-2027). MEHRD is implementing the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Funded System Transformation Program in partnership with UNICEF. The program aligns with the key priorities identified in the Solomon Islands Partnership Compact (2023–2027). It focuses on improving the foundations for quality teaching and learning, while emphasizing gender equality and inclusion.

A key focus of the Solomon Islands’ System Transformation Grant (STG) is the development and delivery of Professional Development (PD) programs for teachers and school leaders in 330 schools across five selected provinces, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. While several PD initiatives have previously been implemented across the country—with documented lessons learned and evaluation reports—these experiences will inform the design of the new, more comprehensive and sustainable teacher professional development program, in collaboration with provincial authorities and education providers.

MEHRD’s goal is to reach all schools across all provinces with high-quality PD opportunities, supported by mechanisms for follow-up, coaching, and sustained implementation, including school-based continuous professional development systems. The new PD framework will also ensure a more substantial alignment between in-service and pre-service teacher education, as well as key priority areas for improving learning outcomes for children.

To guide the design of the PD program, MEHRD, in partnership with UNICEF, conducted a baseline survey in 80 schools across the selected provinces of Makira, Malaita, Western, Central, and Guadalcanal. The survey gathered data from over 600 teachers and 110 head teachers, covering a wide range of relevant topics that are crucial for improving teaching in classrooms.

A consultant will be engaged to support the MEHRD in reviewing the current teacher professional development (PD) landscape and designing a needs-based, context-specific teacher PD program that addresses key gaps identified through the baseline survey, thereby improving learning outcomes for children. The consultant will also examine other programs, such as the inclusive education program, where cluster-based and school-based professional development was piloted, and data was collected through monitoring visits by the MEHRD. The new PD program will directly address the key teaching and learning gaps identified through the recent baseline survey. The aim is to deliver a sustainable and contextually relevant PD program that strengthens the capacity of teachers and school leaders, ultimately contributing to improved learning outcomes across the Solomon Islands.

How can you make a difference? 

This consultancy aims to provide technical support to the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) in reviewing and designing the teacher professional development program, focusing on key findings from a baseline survey conducted in target schools across five provinces.

The following is an indicative but not exhaustive list of key documents to be reviewed in the Teacher PD review and development:

• System Transformation program baseline survey report (soon to be available)

• National Education Action Plan (NEAP 2022 -2026)

• National Curriculum Statement NCS (National Curriculum Framework)

• Whole of Educator Professional Development Framework (WEPDF)

• Inclusive Education Self-Learning Module for Teachers

• Preparation Primary Year (PPY) Teacher Guides and Evaluation Report

• ESSP Independent Evaluative Review for Professional Teacher Development

• Regional Teacher Competency Framework

• Education Act 2023

• Pacific Regional All-Life Skills Framework (PETALS)

• Education Strategy Framework 2016-2030

• Leaders and Education Authorities Project (LEAP) program evaluation report

• Reports and data related to the inclusive education programmes

Please refer to the ToR (  ToR for Review of Teacher Professional Development Design.pdf ) for further information on the deliverables and the timelines. 

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS:  

This consultant is for individual consultants only. Candidates are requested to submit a brief technical proposal and CV. In your technical proposal, please outline the approach for reviewing and redesigning the current teacher professional development program, including key steps and processes. Candidates are asked to submit a separate financial offer along with their application. The financial proposal should be a lump sum amount for all the deliverables and should show a breakdown for the following as applicable:

• Monthly / Daily fees: based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference above
• Travel: economy air ticket to include two in-country visits to carry out the assignment (28 days in-country mission with potential selected provinces, )
• Living allowance: where travel is required
• Miscellaneous: to cover visa, health insurance (including medical evacuation for international consultants), travel insurance, communications, and other costs.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Education and Curriculum, or a Master's in Curriculum, teacher professional development, and/or related field.

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum of 8 years of proven experience in Teacher Professional Development and teacher training, including specific expertise in reviewing and designing country-specific teacher PD hardwiring into gender equity, social inclusion, and climate change.
• Demonstrated capability and experience in engaging various Ministry divisions and designing and developing a tailor-made teacher capacity building program that is context-appropriate and rich in content, pedagogy, and instructions
• Considerable experience working in collaboration with government entities such as Ministries of Education and national universities, and Teacher Training Institutions, is highly desirable.
• Extensive background in leading consultative processes, with strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills to effectively manage dialogue with a broad range of education sector actors.
• Prior experience working in the Solomon Islands, broader Pacific Islands region, or Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and/or in similar socio-cultural contexts will be considered a significant advantage.

Language:

• English is required, and knowledge of Pidgin will be an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.