https://devbusiness.un.org/node/770151
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST   Georgia Project Name: Georgia I2Q- Innovation, Inclusion and Quality Project No.168481 Assignment Title: Short Term Consultant (International) for supporting the effective planning and implementation of the procurement on "Strengthening the Quality of Pre-service Teacher Education Programs and Continuous Professional Development Options” Contract/RFP No: GE-MESCS-212345-CS-INDV Georgia has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Georgia I2Q- Innovation, Inclusion and Quality Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, works, and related services and consulting services to be procured under this project. The Project consists of the following key components: Component 1- Improving Quality of and Access to Early Childhood Education and Care: support to facilitate expanded access to quality pre-school education in selected pre-schools. Component 2 – Fostering Quality Teaching and Learning in General Education: Support to provide a learning environment that is conducive to quality education in selected general education schools. Component 3 – Strengthening Financing Options and Promoting Internationalization in Higher Education: Support to improve the quality and international competitiveness of higher education. Component 4 – System Strengthening and Stakeholder Communication: Support to facilitate a shift in attitude towards learning. Component 5 – Supporting Project Management, Monitoring, and Evaluations: Support capacity building for effective management and monitoring of the Project including provision of Operating Costs, Training, outreach and awareness campaigns, consulting services, M & E and, Project audits for (a) Project Management Team (PMT); and (b) Project Management Unit (PMU). The Project will be implemented over a six-year period by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia (MES) and its subordinate government agencies and by the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia (MDF). The Project Management Unit (PMU) created within MES supports the implementation of the Project’s tasks above. The Project Management Team (PMT) created within MDF supports implementation of the separate component aimed to improve the relevant infrastructure and rehabilitate schools under the Project overall objectives. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia (MES) now invites Individual Consultants (Consultants) to express their interest in providing the following services: Short Term Consultant (International) for supporting the effective planning and implementation of the procurement on "Strengthening the Quality of Pre-service Teacher Education Programs and Continuous Professional Development Options. Objective of the assignment The objective of this assignment is to provide technical support to PMU for the purpose of tendering the upcoming activity for supporting the effective planning and implementation of the procurement on "Strengthening the Quality of Pre-service Teacher Education Programs and Continuous Professional Development Options" envisaged under the second and third Components of the project. Scope of Work The Consultant under this assignment will be responsible for undertaking the following Phases: Phase I – Preparatory Works Conduct preparatory works to develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for "Strengthening the Quality of Pre-service Teacher Education Programs and Continuous Professional Development Options". ToR should be focused on strengthening the quality of pre-service teacher education programs for all levels of education and supporting the capacity-building of teachers and other professionals to adapt, develop, and implement school-based curriculum. Therefore, implementation of the following tasks should be envisaged: Establishment of international standards for pre-service teacher education program and upgrade of teacher standard/benchmark/academic program as necessary: Conduct a field study, design the indicators and select the relevant pre-service teacher education programs (subject/subject group teacher education program/primary education teacher program); Communication with a prominent International Teacher Education Institution to collaborate with Georgian peers; Select the international accreditation agency with the relevant competence recognized by the NCEQE to apply for accreditation; Support university in capacity building and in accreditation processes: conduct trainings for institution representatives or quality staff supporting self-assessment writing and preparation of the regulations; Accreditation for at least one subject/subject group teacher education program and one primary education teacher program 2. Needs assessment of faculty professionals for effective implementation of teacher academic programs in selected universities: The design and implementation of the need assessment study; Conducting the field study; Organizing at least two workshops for key stakeholders to be held before and after the study; Developing an analytical report providing a comprehensive summary of key findings and recommendations for areas of improvement; 3. Strengthening the faculty capacity in charge of implementing teacher academic programs on pedagogy and subject-matter (content) knowledge: Recruitment and selection of the relevant local and international experts to design modules and conduct ToTs (including online resources); Based on the needs assessment study training modules should be developed to build the capacity of faculty trainers for effective implementation of teacher academic programs; The selected local and international experts should conduct ToTs covering the methodology and subject-based development of the staff. 4. Review and improve continuous professional development framework of school teachers that is more school based, supporting and motivating teachers by providing career and status upgrade opportunities, with less bureaucracy and relevant transparency: Identify the best practices and options for university-based teacher's professional development with particular emphasis on improving teaching and learning methodologies; Establish main principles for supporting teacher professional development and design a national teacher professional development policy framework, taking into account current and future needs and trends in general education. 5. Developing targeted programs for teachers and other professionals to attain the aims of revised schemes and develop necessary new skills for ensuring quality of teaching and management. Recruitment and selection of the relevant local and international experts to design modules and conduct ToTs (including online resources). Expected outputs of the assignment for strengthening the quality of pre-service teacher education programs and continuous professional development options: Teacher standard/benchmark upgraded and international standard teacher education program developed; Needs assessment conducted with options and recommendations developed; Training modules developed and ToTs are conducted; Selected pre-service teacher education programs are selected and accredited (locally and internationally); Continuous professional development framework for teachers is revised that is more school based, supporting and motivating teachers by providing career and status upgrade opportunities, with less bureaucracy and relevant transparency; The main principles for teacher professional development are established and a national teacher professional development policy framework is developed; University-based teacher professional development options are also identified and designed. Relevant regulations are updated to support revised teacher professional development policy; Targeted programs including modules on modern pedagogy, school-based curriculum development, child-centered pedagogy, gender sensitivity, inclusive education etc. are prepared and ToTs are conducted The preparatory works shall be planned and implemented under supervision of PMU in close cooperation with TPDC, the relevant stakeholders, the Client and its structural units. Within the preparatory stage the Consultant is expected to undertake following necessary actions, including but not limited to mapping, collecting and evaluating necessary data and resources for developing ToR. Such data can include the project related documents- POM, PAD, laws, regulations, policies, plans, assessments, relevant researches, analytical and/or progress reports, lessons learned and the best applicable international practices.  Phase II – Development of the ToR Based on the results of preparatory work the Consultant shall: Prepare the ToR with relevant sections incorporating information on the Project, national context of pre-service teacher education programs and teachers continuous professional development options, general and specific objectives of the assignment, detailed scope of services and deliverables, activities to be implemented, tentative time schedule of deliverables and reporting requirements, qualification requirements toward company experience, team composition and qualification requirements of experts, estimated duration of the assignment and etc. The Covid-19 pandemic situation shall also be considered and Covid-19 mitigation requirements stipulated for executing the assignment presented; Prepare detailed evaluation criteria and design the system for the evaluation of the technical proposals received in response to the ToR, including implementation approach, methodology, work plan and the relevant topics for the interview with the team of Key-Experts if necessary; Estimate the resources needed for the implementation of the assignment. For this purpose, the Consultant shall survey the market, considering both national and international, for mapping the potential consultant companies with sufficient capacity and relevant experience and prepare the estimated budget of the assignment, including the preliminary individual time input of experts and other possible expenses necessary for successful implementation of the assignment.  All documents developed during this assignment are intended for internal use only and shall not be disclosed for the third party/parties during the assignment and at least 2 years after its completion. The Consultant will sign the respective nondisclosure declaration. The Consultant shall study the clause 3.14 on Conflict of Interest by The World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/e56uq5tqyyour8g/Procurement%20Regulations_WB_2... Other Related Tasks During services the Consultants shall organize the meetings with the TPDC, the Client and other relevant stakeholders as needed to obtain necessary information and data, present and discuss the key aspects and recommendations to formulate a vision and related set of necessary actions. Stakeholders include representatives of education institutions, principals, teachers, experts from the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), etc.               Required Qualifications Advanced degree, preferably in the field of education Minimum 10 years of working experience in general/higher education sector with focus on the pre-service teacher education programs and teacher’s continuous professional development (management, research, policy planning, analysis and/or formulation) including 5 years of international experience Experience of planning/management the execution of complex multi-task assignments in similar field, including preparation of the detailed scope of such services and budgeting Demonstrated skills in team-work and effective interaction with senior government officials Knowledge of Georgian general/higher education sector, regulatory framework and implementing agency functions would be an asset Excellent report writing skills Proficiency in English Language Note: The MES reserves it’s right to verify submitted references and use obtained information for evaluation purposes. Duration of Assignment Lump-sum contract will be signed with successful Consultant for the duration of 3 months. The assignment is expected to commence on July, 2021.  The Consultant will be supported by the local Individual Consultant. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14 “Conflict of Interest” of the World Bank’s Guidelines: World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrower, July 2016 revised August 2018”, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: The consultant shall not receive any remuneration in connection with the assignment except as provided in the contract. The consultant and its affiliates shall not engage in consulting or other activities that conflict with the interest of the client under the contract. The contract shall include provisions limiting future engagement of the consultant for other services resulting from or directly related to the firm’s consulting services in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 3.16, 3.17 and 3.18 of the Guidelines. An individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in World Bank’s Guidelines: World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrower, July 2016 revised August 2018” “Selection of Individual Consultants”.   Interested consultants may obtain further information by email: procurement@iiq.gov.ge Cover letter and CVs of candidates in English language must be submitted electronically, indicating the name of position on the subject to the address below not later than, July 12, 2021, 1 7:00 pm local time. Name: Ia Iashvili  Position: Procurement Specialist Address: N52 Dimitri Uznadze str., Tbilisi, 0102, Georgia Email: procurement@iiq.gov.ge Web-Site: www.iiq.gov.ge   Georgia I2Q- Innovation, Inclusion and Quality Georgia Not cancelled INDV- Individual Consultant Selection Request for Expression of Interest Consulting Services- Individual Monday, July 12, 2021- 17:00 WB-P770151-06/21 IBRD89550 GE-MESCS-212345-CS-INDV P168481 General- Education and Training Friday, June 25, 2021 OP00135186 English Friday, June 25, 2021- 10:47 Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Ia Iashvili 52 Dimitri Uznadze street, Tbilisi +995595900903 ia.iashvili@iiq.gov.ge Other Education, Tertiary Education, Public Administration- Education, Primary Education, Early Childhood Education World Bank Wednesday, June 23, 2021- 20:00 IBRD/IDA Loans (PE) Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports USD 30000.00 Short Term Consultant (International) for supporting the effective planning and implementation of the procurement on "Strengthening the Quality of Pre-service Teacher Education Programs and Continuous Professional Development Options" Procurement Specialist proc_voc_id: 86141501 proc_voc_title: Educational advisory services seg_id: 86000000 seg_title: Education and Training Services family_id: 86140000 family_title: Educational facilities class_id: 86141500 class_title: Educational guidance services cmdty_id: 86141501 cmdty_title: Educational advisory services