UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, education

The Education section in UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office (LACRO) is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical/programmatic support and management of the implementation of the Learning Passport for Children on the Move in Central America and Mexico.

Digital platforms have taken a central role in ensuring continuity of learning during several crisis. The Learning Passport, a Learning Management System developed as a partnership between UNICEF and Microsoft, with underlying research by Cambridge University, delivers digital learning experiences to children around the world, in both connected and disconnected environments. It aims to improve the education of millions of children in situation of vulnerability around the world who face barriers to learning because of poverty, discrimination, conflict and disaster. It ensured continuity of learning amid the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains an online learning resource beyond COVID-19.

The Learning Passport aims to improve learning outcomes of learners by offering a customizable digital platform to serve all means of content, from national curriculum to supplemental resources, to user groups identified by UNICEF Country Offices (CO) and the governments they support.

The regional platform will offer digitized content, in Spanish, to best serve learners’ and educators’ specific needs. The objectives of this use case of the Learning Passport are as follows:

• To provide children on the move with access to quality learning resources. in the Learning Passport platform. To support children on the move through alternative learning pathways that guarantee their right to learn.
• To increase the capacity of regional/national/local partners to include digital learning initiatives and tools in their educational programs.

In the first stage, the platform will guarantee fundamental learning based on a basic curriculum for primary education (foundational literacy and numeracy) as well as supplementary content on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and a Parental Set to support children´s learning.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF LACRO requires an enthusiastic and committed Digital Learning Consultant to support the Education Team. Under the guidance of the Education in Emergencies and the Digital Learning Specialist, the overall purpose of the individual consultant is to develop the Learning Passport Strategy for children on the move that will be implemented in its first stage in Central America and Mexico.

I. CONTENT

1. Curriculum Framework for children on the move and Country Offices Develop a curriculum framework that addresses the specific needs of children on the move considering:

• Contextual Relevance: Develop a flexible, adaptive curriculum framework considering the challenges children on the move face, such as displacement, migration, trauma, and inconsistent access to formal education.
• Focus on Fundamental Learning: Prioritize fundamental literacy, numeracy, and life skills to support educational continuity despite disruptions. The curriculum should also emphasize psychosocial well-being, resilience, and social-emotional learning, helping children cope with instability.
• Modular Design: Create a modular and portable curriculum that can be easily integrated into temporary learning spaces in the Learning Passport platform. Each module should be self-contained, allowing children to engage in learning regardless of their mobility status.
• Alignment with Global and Regional Standards: Ensure the curriculum adheres to global education frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (Quality Education), the International Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) standards, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Regional collaboration with authorities such as the Central American Educational and Cultural Coordination of the Central American Integration System (CECC-SICA) and its emergency curriculum. 

2. Content Selection: Content selection ensuring that the materials align with the Curriculum Framework, considering:

• Selection of Existing Educational Content: Oversee the review and selection of existing educational content from a wide range of sources, including government curricula, open educational resources (OERs), and materials provided by education partners. This process should ensure that content is relevant, high-quality, and suitable for diverse educational contexts.
• Curating Diverse Learning Resources: Curate a mix of digital learning resources, textbooks, and supplementary materials to support the curriculum. These resources should be sourced from reputable sources and be adaptable to both formal and non-formal learning environments.
• Content Adaptation for Learning Objectives: Guide the adaptation of selected content to ensure it aligns with the learning objectives of the curriculum. This may involve modifying materials to fit different contexts, including different languages, cultural references, and levels of accessibility.
• Validation of contents: with Country Offices and relevant stakeholders to co-create the educational program.

3. First repository platform setup: Leverage and adapt the Learning Passport existing features to meet the needs of the Curriculum Framework and content selection.

• Develop a content Structure: Establish a clear structure within the Learning Passport platform that reflects the curriculum framework. This includes creating distinct sections or categories based on subjects (e.g., literacy, numeracy), learner levels (e.g., age groups or grades), and learning objectives (e.g., psychosocial skills, social-emotional learning).
• Organize and format content: Ensure that all selected materials—such as textbooks, digital learning resources, OERs, and supplementary materials—are properly formatted to fit the Learning Passport’s platform requirements (e.g., file formats like PDFs, interactive elements, videos). Materials should be structured for easy navigation and readability on digital devices, including tablets and mobile phones.
• Upload contents: Use the Learning Passport’s content management system (CMS) to upload selected resources. This will ensure a smooth and systematic integration of educational materials. Categorize content by subjects, grades, language, or curriculum module to make it easy for educators and learners to access the right resources quickly.

II. PROGRAM (implementation and management)

1. Implementation Plan

• Develop an implementation plan: with the pre launching, launching, and post launching of the Learning Passport platform for children on the move, to ensure that the platform will reach the target population and that the program, technical, and content pillars are well implemented.
• Serve as the key focal point among all stakeholders and the deployment of the Learning Passport as part of the emergency response and regular development programming.
• Provide technical support to COs and AAP to ensure benchmarks: i) information/communication, ii) feedback and complaint mechanisms and iii) participation can be integrated along the programme to ensure voices and participation of children and adolescents migrants users of the platform will be integrated.
• Provide technical guidance to LACRO office and Global Learning Passport on strategies and issues related to the Learning Passport and other education and technology initiatives for the effective implementation of the programme.}

2. Knowledge Management, Monitoring, and Reporting:

• Manage, coordinate, and support programme implementation: activities related to the Learning Passport (including the set-up of the platform that does not require coding).
• Prepare regular reports on program status, challenges, and outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee all knowledge management activities including the documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, assess impact, and inform future program decisions.

3. Technical Guidance and Strategic Support:

• Under the guidance of the global and regional ICT team of Learning Passport, provide technical support for the effective implementation of the platform, using already developed guidelines and tools.
• Provide technical guidance to the LACRO office on strategies and issues related to the Learning Passport and other education and technology initiatives.

4. Capacity Building

• Build capacities in stakeholders and users to make effective use of the platform.
• Using already developed materials for capacity building, develop a training plan for stakeholders, facilitators, and users for the effective use of the Learning Passport in mobility scenarios.
• Train users to make effective use of the platform and contents.

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

Education and Experience:

• An advanced degree in Education, Digital Education, International Development, or a related field. 
• Proven experience in curriculum design, instructional methodologies, and pedagogical principles.
• Familiarity with modern educational frameworks and approaches, such as competency-based education, inclusive education, and culturally responsive teaching.
• Managing large-scale education technology initiatives, preferably in emergency and development contexts.
• Understanding of digital learning platforms, e-learning tools, and educational technology trends. Ability to integrate technology into curriculum development and adapt content for digital delivery.
• Proficiency in analyzing educational data to inform decision-making processes. Ability to use data to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum content and make evidence-based recommendations for improvements.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, including planning, budgeting, risk management, and reporting.

Language:

• Fluency in Spanish and of English.

Other skills:

• Excellent communication abilities, in both written and oral forms. Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution to manage stakeholder expectations and reach consensus.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in coordination, and able to work under pressure is required.
• Commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in education, ensuring that all learners have access to quality education regardless of their background or circumstances.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 UNICEF competencies: building and maintains partnerships, demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive to achieve results for impact, innovates and embraces change, manages ambiguity and complexity, thinks and acts strategically and works collaboratively with others.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Administrative details

Supervision: The consultant will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the UNICEF LACRO Education Specialist.

Workplace: The consultancy is home-based. Travel may be involved. International/national travel may be required, discussed and agreed with the consultant (a separate travel line will be included in the contract).

Duration:  Estimated start date is November 15, 2024, until September 15, 2025 (10 months)

How to Apply: Application should be submitted online and should include: TMS application form duly completed, Cover Letter, Study certificates and financial proposal (Daily fee or deliverable fee).

Qualified candidates are requested to indicate an all-inclusive (lump sum) fee for the services to be including all associated administrative and travel costs.

Consultants must have their own equipment, tools and materials needed to perform their services. They will use their own laptops/computers, any application or system needed to complete the assignment. They need to provide the full service without using UNICEF resources. The access to UNICEF email and system is restricted to UNICEF staff therefore consultants should not be granted access unless it is imperative to complete the assignment.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.