OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO Tashkent office is seeking a contractor to conduct a feasibility study on the proposal to designate the Institute for Retraining and Professional Development of Directors and Specialists of Preschool Educational Organizations as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre on Early Childhood Care and Education in Uzbekistan. The assignment is foreseen to take place between 1st of February and 31st of March 2025 (for a total of 20-25 working days)

1. Background

The Government of Uzbekistan has proposed the establishment of a UNESCO Category 2 Centre on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The proposed centre, based on the Institute for Retraining and Professional Development of Directors and Specialists of Preschool Educational Organizations under the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 5 (gender equality), and UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget (C/5).

This proposed centre seeks to strengthen the education sector in Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asia region through innovative approaches in ECCE, including professional development, research, policy advocacy, and international cooperation. The centre will serve as a hub for advancing educational equity and inclusion, improving teacher training, and enhancing the quality of early childhood education across low- and middle-income countries in the region.

The UNESCO Intersectoral Review Committee has recommended conducting a feasibility study to evaluate whether the proposal fits with the principles and criteria outlined in the 2019 Strategy for Category 2 Institutes and Centres under the auspices of UNESCO ( Part E.1). This study will inform the preparation of a draft agreement for submission to UNESCO’s Executive Board and General Conference.

Long Description

II. Purpose and Scope of the Feasibility Study

An independent consultant will be contracted to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of designating the proposed Early Childhood Care and Education Institution in Uzbekistan as a UNESCO Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO.

The feasibility study will be managed and coordinated by the UNESCO Tashkent Office, working closely with relevant sectors and divisions at UNESCO Headquarters. The process will also involve consultations with stakeholders from Uzbekistan and other relevant partners.

The study will specifically examine:

• The relevance and alignment of the institution’s programmes and activities with a UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget ( 42C/5) and priorities. The study will also review the institution’s alignment with UNESCO’s ECCE strategies and its contribution to the global development agendas *(SDG4, SDG 4.2 and SDG5)
• The scope of activities of the centre, its ability and capacity to meet its objectives and its actions at global and regional levels, including the provision of professional training for ECCE educators, development of innovative pedagogical resources, and facilitation of regional and international cooperation. The study should also examine whether the institution has a proven track of excellence of at least two years in ECCE.
• The autonomy for the execution of its activities and legal capacity to contract, institute legal proceedings and to acquire and dispose movable and immovable property.
• The institution’s organizational structure, the composition of its Governing Board or comparable body, its existing human resources and whether these allow for an effective and efficient management of the institution.
• The type and nature of cooperation of the institution with regional and international partners, especially , educational organizations working in the domain of ECCE and related fields.

• The financial sustainability of the institution, assessing its alignment with the provisions set out in the 2019 UNESCO Strategy for category 2 institutes and centers, including the adequacy of proposed funding sources.
• The capacity of the centre to complement UNESCO’s ongoing work in ECCE and other cross-sectoral initiatives, particularly in fostering lifelong learning systems, addressing equity gaps in education, and integrating interdisciplinary approaches to enhance educational outcomes.
• The effectiveness of the centre to contribute to UNESCO’s mission (examples of activities may include
  • Publication of training manuals, policy guidelines, and research reports on ECCE.
  • Organization and participation in international and regional events on early childhood education.
  • Establishment of partnerships with national and international educational institutions, academic organizations, and ECCE networks.
  • Promotion of South-South and North-South cooperation and knowledge sharing
• The complementarity or redundancy of the proposed centre with other UNESCO Category 2 Centres, Institutes, and networks, as well as similar institutions created and operated by other United Nations system organizations, particularly in the field of ECCE.

III. Methodology and Data Collection Methods

The feasibility study will use a mixed-methods approach to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The methodology will include:

1. Document Review:
   1. Analysis of Uzbekistan’s proposal and documentation relevant to the instition’s activities, including its programme, budget, organigramme etc. institutional frameworks, and relevant policy documents, including UNESCO’s Programme and Budget ( 42 C/5), relevant strategies on ECCE and the UNESCO 2019 Strategy for Category 2 Institutes and Centres.Review of national education policies, ECCE strategies, and international best practices.
2. Stakeholder Consultations:
   1. Interviews with representatives of the Institute for Retraining and Professional Development of Directors and Specialists of Preschool Educational Organizations, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, UNESCO Headquarters, and regional offices.
   2. Virtual or in-person consultations with ECCE experts, partner organizations of the institution, and other stakeholders.
3. On-Site Assessment (if feasible):
   1. Field visit to the proposed institution to assess infrastructure, staffing, and operational readiness.
4. Comparative Analysis:
   1. Benchmarking against similar Category 2 Centres to assess the unique value and relevance of the proposed centre.
5. Synthesis and Validation:
   1. Consolidation of findings into a draft report and validation through feedback from stakeholders.

IV. Tasks and Deliverables

1. Inception Report (due 15 February 2025): Including detailed methodology, work plan, and timeline.
2. Draft Feasibility Study Report (due 15 March 2025) Comprehensive findings and preliminary recommendations addressing all parameters.
3. Final Feasibility Study Report (due 1 April 2025): Incorporating UNESCO and stakeholder feedback and including an executive summary.
4. Draft Executive Board Document in English (approx. 3 pages), containing a summary of the feasibility study following a template provided by UNESCO.
5. Presentation Materials: Summary of findings and recommendations for the UNESCO Intersectoral Review Committee

The duration of assignment is estimated as 20-25 working days between 1 February 2025 and 1 April 2025

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 10 years of professional experience in programme evaluation, preferably in the context of early childhood care and education (ECCE) and/or international education initiatives.
• Excellent analytical and demonstrated drafting skills in English: ability to collect and analyze information, to synthesize ideas and feedback and prepare reports in a clear and concise manner (demonstrated through at least three experiences/work assignments in UN language)
• Knowledge of the role and mandate of UNESCO and its programmes (engagement/participation in /evaluation of UNESCO’s work in at least two instances), particularly in the framework of the Sustainable Development Agenda, including SDG 4 and SDG 5.
• Experience working internationally, including with the UN organizations with a focus on the Asia region (at least three experiences/work assignments);
• Knowledge of and experience in applying gender equality analysis and human rights-based approach in the review (3 experiences/work assignments);
• No previous affiliation with the Centre or involvement in the activities under review.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to engage with officials in the public sector, Ministries of Education, and the United Nations (at least three experiences/work assignments);

• Understanding and application of UN mandates in Human Rights, Inclusion (LNOB), Gender Equality, and the Environment (3 experiences/work assignments).
• Experience with assignments focusing on multi-stakeholder partnerships, coordination and capacity building (3 experiences/work assignments).

The assignment will be conducted in line with the UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation and the UNEG Code of Conduct for Evaluation in the UN system.