Call for Expert Consultancy in Rwanda (EXTENDED)

In pursuance and further advancement of the UNESCO – Chengdu Project on Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovations to strengthen Inclusion and Equity of Education in Africa, UNESCO IITE is looking for an individual consultant to develop an Action Plan and relevant recommendations towards supporting technology-based and innovation-driven transformation of inclusive education in Rwanda.

The aim of the Action Plan is to support national stakeholders and policy-makers in mainstreaming Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovations for gender equity and inclusive education in line with UNCRPD, SDG4, and the national education policies. The strategic imperative and responsibility of the consultant is to develop the Action Plan in concert and close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, particularly national policy-makers, representatives of the teaching and concerned school communities, learners with disabilities and their parents/ legal representatives.

The UNESCO – Chengdu project contemplates the development of a coherent
Action Plan that is:

    • developed on the basis of widespread stakeholder consultation and contribution;
    • aligned with relevant reporting mechanisms that monitor the implementation of the UNCRPD
      at national level;
    • premised on SMART objectives, inspired by emerging theory and enhanced practice;
    • focused upon priorities for action based on the needs’ assessment, arranged by IITE, as well as on national benchmarking data that clearly identifies national and local needs;
    • characterized by a system-wide view, while supporting local level, sector-specific activities;
    • reinforced with timelines for achievement of the primary project objectives;
    • tailored for particular stakeholder groups who can implement actions and perform as key agents of transformation;
    • designed to identify milestones for the collection of information and feedback on progress to guide further project advancement.

The content of the Action Plan should cover infrastructure development, curriculum improvement and modification, development of learning materials, teacher professional development and ICT policy planning, implementation, and monitoring.

The Action Plan will include concrete and adequate recommendations pertaining to

    • development/improvement of current educational environment for inclusive education (incl. availability and accessibility of appropriate technological infrastructure, curriculum design and adequate teaching-learning content),
    • elaboration of accessible and viable e-learning materials, adequate and meaningful curriculum modification,
    • planned initiatives to use AI and digital innovations’ potential to support inclusion, student-centered learning, and Universal design for learning (UDL) in Rwanda,
    • effective local level capacity-building initiatives to promote the use of inclusive EdTech by learners with disabilities in their educational settings,
    • further training activities in the use of inclusive ICT for teachers, master trainers, school leaders, families of learners with disabilities,
    • active involvement and dialogue with all major stakeholders in identifying agenda for capacity building, comprising training priorities, professional standards, and effective support mechanisms for the national inclusive education community,
    • engagement of experienced inclusive ICT users to act as encouraging models of rewarding experience for trainers, school community, ICT professionals,
    • roles and responsibilities in relation to implementation and monitoring by key stakeholders and participants.

  • WORK STAGES AND SUBMISSION DATES

    1. Arrange surveys or interviews (as deemed more feasible and insightful) among national stakeholders: at least 15 persons representing NGOs, school and parent communities, policy- and decision-making level (in Education and IT). With this objective in view, develop a comprehensive and appropriately formulated questionnaire and submit it to UNESCO IITE for review and approval. Following the approval, conduct corresponding surveys/ interviews.
      The results of the surveys/interviews and the associated outcome analysis to be submitted to UNESCO IITE by 1 August 2022.

     

    1. Draft a provisional action plan with recommendations, specifying relevant and reasonable
        • policy actions,
        • methods and processes,
        • responsible organizations,
        • start and end dates,
        • implementation milestones,
        • achievement indicators,
        • reporting mechanisms…

     

    The draft Action Plan with recommendations to be submitted to UNESCO IITE by 3 October 2022.

     

    1. Engage in, and contribute to, further discussions of the draft Action Plan with UNESCO IITE and the National Project Team for Rwanda.
      The dedicated online meeting will be organized by UNESCO IITE in October 2022. 

     

    1. Based on the comments, amendments, and recommendation ensured by UNESCO IITE
      and the National Project Team, compile the final comprehensive Action Plan with recommendations for Rwanda. The final Action Plan must represent a consistent and well-structured document of 25 pages at minimum, compliant with the requirements of the
      UNESCO Style Manual. Bibliographical references are mandatory for specification.
      The final Action Plan to be submitted to UNESCO IITE before 21 November 2022.

  • CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION

    Our prospective candidate should

    • hold at least a master’s degree in Education or Social Sciences,
    • have a strong professional background in educational planning and development,
    • be well versed in the specifics of ICT use in inclusive/special needs education,
    • be fluent in English and proficient in communication.

     

    Interested qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (in English) to e.varkvasova@unesco.org before 30 June 2022.

     

    The official application shall include:

    1. Candidate’s latest Curriculum Vitae.
    2. A statement indicating how the candidate’s qualifications and experience make him/her suitable for the assignment.
    3. An indication of the approach the candidate would adopt to carry out the assignment, including any inputs that may be required from UNESCO IITE.
    4. Proposed budget (in USD).