(EXTENDED) Call for proposals from Mauritius: tailoring and conducting advanced training courses on ICT in inclusive education

UNESCO IITE is looking for an individual consultant in Mauritius to organize and conduct advanced trainings for teachers involved in the national/local inclusive education

In pursuance and further advancement of the UNESCO – Chengdu Project ‘Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovations to strengthen Inclusion and Equity of Education in Africa’, UNESCO IITE is currently looking for an individual consultant in the Republic of Mauritius to conduct dedicated training activities for teachers involved in inclusive/special needs education.

Drawing on the results and findings of the needs assessments finalized earlier by UNESCO IITE in the target countries and relying on the personal experience of completing the ‘Introduction to inclusive education with ICT’ and ‘Open and Distance Learning Solutions for Students with Disabilities’ training programmes within the UNESCO – Chengdu initiative, the Expert shall customize IITE’s eponymous courses towards meaningful capacity building and beneficial training of his/her colleagues – teachers actively engaged in, and committed to, inclusive/special needs education in Mauritius.

  • WORK STAGES AND SUBMISSION DATES

    In particular, our Expert shall:

    1. Tailor IITE’s original training curricula ‘Introduction to inclusive education with ICT’ and ‘Open and Distance Learning Solutions for Students with Disabilities’ to the needs and requirements of the local target audience. The modified training programmes shall essentially provide descriptive information on the training methods (blended/distance learning), learning modules (particularly, session themes and objectives), academic workload, specification of formative and summative assessments. To be submitted to UNESCO IITE before 2 June 2023.
    2. Following the review of the training programmes, with all modifications approved by UNESCO IITE, customize the content of the dedicated trainings (incl. text materials, multimedia, illustrations, formative and summative assessments). All course materials shall remain practice-oriented and performance-driven. To be submitted to UNESCO IITE before 16 June 2023.
    3. Upon approval of the final course contents by UNESCO IITE, arrange training sessions (onsite or blended) for the concerned target audience in the Republic of Mauritius:
      • The Expert shall invite no less than 25 participants – representatives of the national/local inclusive education – to the course trainings (including meetings/webinars).
      • The Expert shall induce the participants to complete the specified online Certification courses on E-Library (module contents, practical tasks, interim evaluation tests, final assessments), guide and support their registration and training activities.
      • Each course shall encompass two live sessions: one introductory (inception) meeting/webinar with a presentation of the curricular programme and one closing (wrap-up) session devoted to the training subject, course-related issues, analysis of accomplishments and challenges experienced by trainees throughout the course. During the meetings, the Expert shall communicate relevant pedagogical experience, demonstrate advanced practices, and encourage dissemination of success stories by trainees.
      • Submit presentation files before, and brief reports after, each session
        to UNESCO IITE. The meetings/webinars (four sessions, in total) to be held before
        14 August 2023.
    1. Organize and enable final evaluation (summative assessment) for trainees on both training programmes. Summative assessments must be performed on the E-library platform and can be augmented by onsite evaluation, if deemed necessary by the Expert. UNESCO IITE will render technical and methodological support in accessing the platform and posting amendments and modifications to the course contents on E-library. All evaluation procedures to be finalized before
      7 August 2023.
    2. Prepare an executive completion report (3-5 pages, in English), including specifications of the conducted activities and delivered commitments, related remarks and expert observations, highlights and lessons learned, comprehensive recommendations for the course trainings to improve and expand. Submit the report to UNESCO IITE before 14 August 2023.

  • CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION

    The prospective candidate should

    • hold an advanced university degree in education (Masters or equivalent).  A Bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of relevant/qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree,
    • have a solid professional background in teacher training/curriculum design, and relevant occupational experience in inclusive/special needs education,
    • be well versed in the specifics of ICT use in inclusive/special needs education,
    • be fluent in English, proficient in assertive communication.

     

    Interested qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications (in English) by e-mail to: e.varkvasova@unesco.org before 14 May 2023.

     

    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).