Terms of reference (ToR) Junior Short-Term Expert (STE) for VET Communication and Media Related to Component 2 (VET multi-level management system and governance) 1. Introduction NIRAS Sweden AB as lead in a consortium with Eductrade (Spain) and Ars Progetti (Italy) has concluded contract to provide Technical Assistance to Support to Vocational Education and Training ; EuropeAid/137866/DH/SERR/AZ which is implemented by The Ministry of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan and funded by the EC Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan. The project has started in January 2017 and will continue for 33 months. The overall objective of this project is to enhance the attractiveness and labour market relevance of all levels of VET. The purposes (Specific Objectives) of this contract are as follows: Purpose 1: To improve VET policy and regulatory framework, thereby promoting lifelong learning opportunities and activating participation of social partners Purpose 2: To improve VET multi-level management system and governance including sector coordination at the central and local level of the Ministry of Education Purpose 3: To develop VET qualifications (educational standards) and curricula linked to occupational standards and introduce them in priority sector Purpose 4: To support the Ministry of Education in the monitoring of VET reforms The project will cover four components, each component related to one of the specific objectives. In Annex 1, all tasks of the project are described and a schematic overview of the project is provided. 2. Purpose of the ToR for the Junior STE in VET Communication and Media These Terms of Reference are to describe the tasks and responsibilities of the Junior STE for development of VET Promotion Strategy to ensure that the expected outputs under the component 2 will be realised. The expert will work closely together with the project team and the designated representatives of the beneficiary, and in particular with the Long term Non-key Expert 2 (VET Governance and Management) for producing the inputs and outputs of component 2, especially in assisting the LT Expert 2 to realise: the assessment of existing awareness raising and communication policies, tools and techniques and develop recommendations analysis of the local conditions, local mechanisms of stakeholder relations, available national and regional media (outreach and popularity, broadcast of education programs, program and openness to cover VET issues, target audiences, political and societal influences) development of the awareness raising and communication VET strategy (identifying and formulating strategic goals, SWOT analysis and strategy elaboration) development of the Action Plan tools, techniques (pull and push factors, using on new media, development of success stories, branding and marketing of VET, development of VET 1
information e-platforms, tools for web-videos, webpages, social networks, gender focused campaigns, promotion of specific occupations, communication of the private sector needs). To develop and implement a communication strategy and to take care of the visibility and public relations of the Project. 3. Tasks and responsibilities In collaboration with the Long Term Non-Key Expert 2 (VET Governance and Management Expert); the Junior STE will be responsible for the outcomes of the following tasks: Tasks / activities Expected results / products Estimated deadline Output 2.5.1: Conduct the Agency and Benchmark analysis of current Ministry of Education (MoE) Agency and Ministry of Education assessment of the existing awarenessraising and communication policies, communication tools Promotion strategy and November 2017 tools and techniques Output 2.5.1: Analyse the general local conditions, local mechanisms of stakeholder relations, available national and regional media (outreach and popularity, broadcast of education programs, program and openness to cover VET issues, target audiences, political and societal influences) Output 2.5.2: Conduct a stakeholder consultation workshop for Agency on development of VET Promotion strategy with presentation of best examples and models of other countries Output 2.5.2: Develop in coordination with Agency, MoE (info/promotion department) and project the awareness raising and communication VET strategy (identifying and formulating strategic goals, SWOT analysis and strategy elaboration) via small sessions and meetings Output 2.5.2: Develop in coordination with Agency and project the Action Plan tools, techniques (pull and push factors, using on new media, development of success stories, branding and marketing of VET, development of VET information e- platforms, tools for web-videos, webpages, social networks, gender focused campaigns, promotion of Baseline analysis report on communication and promotion of VET The workshop agenda, outline and materials Recommendations of key stakeholders for VET promotion and communication VET Promotion strategy Action plan, tools and techniques for promotion and communication of VET November/December 2017 December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 2
specific occupations, communication of the private sector needs) Output 2.5.2: Set up and carry out talk shows on VET in collaboration with MoE and Agency, through Education TV Output 2.5.2: Conduct a workshop on implementation of Agency promotion strategy Output 2.5.3 Support the MoE / Agency with implementation of the VET Promotion campaign To develop a communication plan for the project, and adapting the visibility plan accordingly. In line with the communication plan, provide recommendations for the website of the project, and recommendations for the website of the Agency General tasks, like drafting minutes of meetings, (co-)report writing, etc. The Junior STE will be responsible for VET is attracting attention from a broader audience. VET mechanisms are discussed in front of a broader audience The workshop agenda, outline and materials Endorsement of the communication and promotion strategy by the stakeholders and beneficiaries VET promotion campaign implemented Communication plan project Visibility plan updated Website of the project in line with the communication plan Website of the Agency in line with the VET communication strategy Minutes of meetings reports December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 February-December 2018 November / December 2017 November / December 2017 On demand Working according the agreed procedures Using the correct templates Respecting deadlines Client-oriented approach and quality of the products Drafting mission reports Handing over a properly filled time sheet in due time 4. Performance indicators Timely presentation of results and outputs Quality of documents and reports Ability to provide good advice to the project team and the beneficiary The performance of the Junior STE will be assessed by the Team Leader. The beneficiary can be asked for his assessment of the performance of the Junior STE. 5. Number of working days and expected period(s) of the input of the STE 3
Working days: maximum 90 days Expected period(s): November 2017 December 2018 6. Project support The Junior STE will be supported by the Team Leader and the LT NKE 2. The project support staff will provide assistance with logistics and translations if necessary, upon availability of resources. 7. Qualifications and skills General: Minimum requirements: A university degree in Public Media and Communication Fluency in oral and written English and Azerbaijani Computer literacy Preferred requirements: Command of Russian language would be an asset General professional experience: Proven experience in communication and promotion Good communication and writing skills Specific professional experience: Minimum requirements: 3 years experience in developing the communication related documents (guidelines, communication tools, using on new media, development of success stories, branding and marketing, development of information e-platforms, tools for web-videos, webpages, social networks and promotion strategy, etc.) Preferred requirement: Experience with communication in the field of education and in particular in VET would be an asset Trainer and facilitator experience is an advantage 8. Annexes 1. Tasks and overview of the project 4
Annex 1 Introduction NIRAS Sweden AB as lead in a consortium with Eductrade (Spain) and Ars Progetti (Italy) has concluded a contract to provide Technical Assistance to Support to Vocational Education and Training ; which is implemented by The Ministry of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan and funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Azerbaijan. The project has started in January 2017 and will continue for 33 months. The overall objective of this project is to enhance the attractiveness and labour market relevance of all levels of VET. The purposes (Specific Objectives) of this contract are as follows: Purpose 1: To improve VET policy and regulatory framework, thereby promoting lifelong learning opportunities and activating participation of social partners Purpose 2: To improve VET multi-level management system and governance including sector coordination at the central and local level of the Ministry of Education Purpose 3: To develop VET qualifications (educational standards) and curricula linked to occupational standards and introduce them in priority sectors Purpose 4: To support the Ministry of Education in the monitoring of VET reforms The project will cover four components, each component related to one of the specific objectives. The project is working with two full time Key Experts: Team leader / Governance Expert, VET Policy and Legislation; and one intermittent Key Expert: VET Qualifications and Curricula Furthermore, the project has 4 long-term non-key experts as members of the Technical Assistance Team (TAT), each of them covering one component of the project, and 1 intermittent expert for the Management Information System. In addition, the team is completed with a pool of short-term experts. Component 1: VET Regulatory Framework and Policy Result 1.1: Gap Analysis of VET Regulatory and Policy Framework Result 1.2: VET Concept Concept for VET and Life-Long Learning VET optimisation plan Result 1.3: VET Law Result 1.4: Social Partner Involvement 5
Result 1.5: Financing Mechanism, including testing Result 1.6: Apprenticeship Integration Plan Result 1.7: Policy on teacher / instructor training Component 2: VET multi-level management and Governance Result 2.1: Capacity building for the Agency Key Performance Indicators, vision on VET Capacity building events / coaching Functional mapping of the institutional arrangements 5-day study visit (focus: capacity building for the VET Agency) Result 2.2: School management regulation 5-day study visit, focus: school-management issues Regulations for VET schools, including piloting Tracer studies in pilot schools Result 2.3: Income generation plan, including testing Result: 2.4: VET enrolment plan Result 2.5: Promotion strategy for VET, including promotion campaign Component 3. VET Qualifications (educational standards) and curricula Result 3.1: Education standards and curriculum development procedures and legislation, including regulation of practical training, are developed and tested Prepare amendments to relevant legislation considering a new approach to Curriculum Development; Develop guidelines for curriculum development in the VET sector; Carry out a 5-day study visit to an EU Member State for a group of 7 staff, with a focus on methodology and practices of curriculum development; Draft curricula for 10 widely needed and/or growth-oriented occupations; Based on curricula, prepare syllabi and teaching materials for 10 selected occupations; Implement training activities for all related pilot schools staff (teachers and assessors); Revision of the competence-based assessment framework; Test new curricula and teaching materials in at least one pilot school each; Pilot the integration of apprenticeships in various trades of at least one VET school; Piloting of the integration of apprenticeships in various trades of at least one VET school. Result 3.2: Online resource platform for VET (access to curricula, teaching materials etc.) is developed and implemented 6
Component 4. Monitoring and Management Information System (MIS) Result 4.1: Management Information System is functional Result 4.2: A VET monitoring system for VET is implemented Establishment of M&E system; Regular visits to VET schools by Ministry of Education/VET Agency staff; Development of guidelines for regular data input into the VET MIS; Carry out tracer studies in pilot schools. Result 4.3: Monitoring of VET reform projects is improved Mapping all VET reform projects; Development of monitoring system for each donor or government funded project; Prepare Initial Risk Analysis Evaluation Report of the grant projects; Development of monitoring plan for the grant projects / development of field visit plan and regular field visits under implementation; Hold biannual coordination meetings; Development of donor project matrix, and, perform the gap analysis of the donor funded projects. Annex 2 Overview project experts and staff 7
Name, Surname Function Component Mr. Herman Sonneveld Team Leader, Key Expert 1 for VET Governance Component 2 Mr. Roger Hessel Key Expert 2 for VET Policy and Legislation Component 1 Mr. Alexander Siboni Key Expert 3 for Qualification and Curricula Component 3 Mr.Firdovsi Mutallimov Long-term Non-key Expert for VET Policy and Regulatory Framework Component 1 Ms. Bahar Arabova Long-term Non-key Expert for VET Governance Component 2 Mr. Kamil Nazarov Ms. Samaya Jafarova Ms. Aysel Huseynova Mr. Ilkin Jalilov Long-term Non-key Expert for VET Qualifications and Curricula Long-term Non-key Expert for Monitoring and Evaluation and MIS Project Office Manager Project Assistant/Translator Component 3 Component 4 8