National coordinator on strengthening learning assessment system with UNICEF in Uzbekistan

Job no: 582345
Position type: Consultant
Location: Uzbekistan
Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS
School/Unit: Republic of Uzbekistan
Department/Office: Tashkent, Rep. of Uzbekistan
Categories: Education

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For every child, the right to education! 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
 
UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MOPSE) in the area of learning assessment strengthening. Under the joint IsDB/ISFD/GPE-funded Smart-ED Project for Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Education Services in the Republic of Uzbekistan, UNICEF as implementing partner is focusing on the support to build a robust formative and summative learning assessment systems, aligned with the curricula and competency-based learning, that will provide a systematic approach for teachers, as well as policy and decision-makers to make targeted interventions and improvements inside the classrooms and at the system level. These assessments will serve as valuable tools for diagnosing student needs, tracking progress, and identifying areas for improvement, thereby supporting more effective teaching and learning practices.
 
Scope of Work:
UNICEF’s Education section seeks to engage National Consultant to coordinate and ensure quality implementation, monitoring, reporting on the progress, and timely risk mitigations on the activities related to strengthening learning assessment system. Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Education Section and the direct supervision of the Education officer, National Consultant will be closely working with MOPSE, Republican sientific methodological center for development of education reform (RSMCDE), UNICEF CO team and the recruited international consultancy company to facilitate work on the following activities:
 
1. Developing a comprehensive framework to support reform of the learning assessment system, providing ongoing capacity building and support to local and national stakeholders
2. Developing an action plan for finalisation and operationalization of appropriate legislative framework(s)
3. Developing guidelines for implementation of formative and summative approaches in line with the new legislation; piloting the tools.
4. Providing recommendations for digitalization and integration of e-assessment platforms into a single system.
5. Providing an approach for comparing data from different assessment sources.
 
The National Consultant will provide technical/operational support and monitoring throughout implementation of activities to facilitate the management and delivery of results and to strengthen national ownership of the activities, ensuring efficiency, quality assurance and value for money.
 
The National Consultant will also contribute to ensuring close liaison with the Government at different levels and support UNICEF in the development of TORs in line with established rules and procedures.
 
Duration of assignment: August 2025 – December 2026 with possible extension depending on the project needs.
 
Description of tasks - Deliverables - Estimated timeframe
 
1. Inception phase 
  1. Liaison with the MOPSE/ RSMCDE in establishment of dedicated National Working Group (NWG) on development of Learning assessment framework, guidelines and tools for its operationalization - Working group is established with clear TORs for experts -September 2025 - 5 days
  2. Organize technical Workshop for appointed international consultancy (IC) company and NWG to discuss and agree on a design and methodology of development of Learning assessment framework and its operationalization - Workshop is organized. Key points are documented. Methodology of development of Learning assessment framework and its operationalization is agreed with all partners -September 2025 - 10 days
  3. Work closely with UNICEF IC company and NWG to develop Inception report - Inputs to Inception report are provided. Inception report is available and agreed with all partners - September 2025 - 5 days
2. Development of Policy Framework for Learning Assessment Reforms 
  1. Supervise, and provide guidance/ instructions to NWG during the development of Learning assessment framework in close collaboration with IC company.  Organize a series of on-line meetings to ensure close collaboration of UNICEF IC company and NWG for smooth co-creation of the draft framework document. Review all drafts, provide guidance, comments and inputs to the document - On-line meetings (weekly) are conducted in line with agreed schedule. Inputs to draft framework are provided. Draft framework is available - September – November 2025 - 30 days
  2. Provide technical inputs to monitoring and evaluation framework to assess progress and impact of the framework for learning assessment - Technical inputs to monitoring and evaluation framework are provided - November 2025 - 5 days 
3. Development of an action plan and roadmap 
  1. Organize a series of technical meetings and work closely with NWG and IC company to develop Action plan to operationalise Learning assessment reform, outlining roles, responsibilities and timelines. Provide technical inputs and comments to the action plan - Action plan and roadmap are available - October 2025 - 15 days
  2. Provide support to organize a visit of appointed international consultancy company to support the final consultations on the Action Plan and the Framework - Agenda of the visit and the Workshop to present final framework is agreed with MOPSE and UNICEF
  3. Organize a workshop to support the Launch of the Policy framework for Learning Assessment Reforms and Action plan - Final framework for learning assessment system and action plan is available - November 2025 - 15 days
4. Development of guidelines for implementation of the formative and summative approaches in line with new Learning assessment framework
  1. Organize technical meetings and supervise work of NWG in close collaboration with IC company on drafting guidelines for teachers to integrate formative assessment into the classroom-based teaching and learning process (detailed process, recommendations on developing and using appropriate tools and assessment criteria) - Draft guidelines for teachers on formative assessment are available -November 2025 - February 2026 - 45 days
  2. Organize technical meetings and supervise work of NWG in close collaboration with IC company on drafting guidelines for teachers on administering and score/ mark centrally developed, objective, criterion-based and inclusive competency-based summative assessment on a consistent basis. Provide support in organization of the visit of IC company to Uzbekistan - Agenda of the visit is agreed with MOPSE and UNICEF. Draft guidelines for teachers on summative assessment are available - February – June 2026 - 45 days
  3. Organize technical meetings and supervise work of NWG in close collaboration with IC company on drafting guidelines for specialists on the development of standardized assessments (including for unified school exams and entrance to universities exams) to be administered at the classroom level - Draft guidelines for specialists on the development of standardized assessments - June -September 2026 - 60 days
5. Analysis and recommendations for digital infrastructure
 
  1. Work in close collaboration with IC company on evaluation of existing digital platforms and proposals for platform integration -Digital Platform Analysis Report with Recommendations for the Digital Ecosystem - June 2026 - 15 days
  2. Provide support to organize and supervise a field-visit of IC company to selected schools and conduct field testing of proposed mechanisms, tools and draft guidelines for formative and summative approaches. Visit schools with international consultants -Agenda of the visit and field-testing are agreed with UNICEF and MOPSE. Report on field testing - January - May 2026 - 30 days
  3. Organize technical meetings and supervise work of NWG in close collaboration with IC company on finalization of tools and guidelines for different types of users based on the field testing - Final tools and guidelines are available - October – November 2026 - 30 days
  4. Participate in coordination meetings with donors and Government counterparts, prepare relevant documents on project implementation and execution as needed. Track the process of implementation of all activities including analysis of challenges and lessons learned -Updates on the progress of work are reflected during joint meetings. Monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports are prepared and shared with supervisor for submitting to ISDB - August 2025- December 2026 - 20 days.
Total 330 days
 
Travel local is applicable. Travel in 3 regions of Uzbekistan.
 
Payment: Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. 
 
Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 330 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.
 
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, data science or a related field.
  • Work Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in education. Experience in learning assessment is an asset.
    Good understanding of learning assessment practices and systems, understanding of current classroom assessment reforms is an asset.
  • Language Requirements: Excellent written and spoken command Uzbek and English languages, spoken skills in Russian.

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 [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] 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.

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Application close: West Asia Standard Time

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