Consultant for K–12 Life Skills Education Curriculum Framework

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead UN agency focused on ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and its mission is to support countries in achieving their development goals, particularly in relation to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, fulfilling unmet needs for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA is committed to addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services and rights, and it seeks principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide expert guidance in developing a comprehensive K–12 Life Skills Education Curriculum Framework for Bangladesh. The consultant will collaborate with a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) technical expert to create age-appropriate teaching and learning materials for both mainstream schools and madrasahs. The materials must be culturally sensitive, technically robust, and aligned with international best practices, particularly the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE) and Bangladesh's national educational objectives. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing existing curricula, conducting consultations with various stakeholders, and drafting the necessary documents for validation and final submission to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). This role is crucial in ensuring that life skills education is effectively integrated into the upcoming national curriculum set to launch in 2027.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will engage in various activities, including but not limited to: reviewing key documents such as the 2012 and 2021 curricula, SERAT analysis reports, and relevant national policies; conducting consultations with NCTB officials, educators, students, and parents to ensure contextual accuracy; drafting the K–12 Life Skills Education Curriculum Framework; developing age-appropriate teaching and learning materials; creating a teacher training manual; and establishing a student assessment framework. The consultant will work closely with a CSE expert to ensure that all outputs align with the NCTB's vision and international standards. The consultancy is expected to span 80 working days, with specific tasks allocated timeframes for completion.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Education, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, or a related field. A minimum of 2 years of proven experience in curriculum design, development, and reform is required. Previous experience working with the NCTB is considered an asset, as is experience in Life Skills Education (LSE) or Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum development. Candidates should demonstrate a strong portfolio of contextualizing international content to be culturally and religiously appropriate, as well as in-depth knowledge of the UN International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (ITGSE). Proven experience in developing teacher training manuals and resources on sensitive topics is essential, along with a strong understanding of competency-based education and student-centered pedagogical approaches. Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English are required, along with fluency in written and spoken Bangla and English.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Education, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of curriculum design and the pedagogical approaches necessary for effective teaching and learning in the context of life skills education.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of proven experience in curriculum design, development, and reform. Candidates with previous working experience in or with the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) will have an advantage. Experience in Life Skills Education (LSE) or Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum development is also highly desirable, as is demonstrable experience working on sensitive education or health programs.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Bangla and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the development of educational materials. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is classified as a NoB level service and is expected to last for 80 working days, commencing as soon as possible and concluding on July 30, 202

• The consultant will be required to undertake various tasks, including document reviews, consultations, and the development of educational materials. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Programme Analyst - Adolescents and Youth and will be expected to provide regular updates on progress. The consultant may need to travel outside of Dhaka for consultations and workshops, with travel and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) covered by UNFPA according to standard UN policies. The payment structure is based on deliverables, with specific percentages allocated to the completion of key outputs.