Technical Assistance Support to Implementation of National Qualifications Framework in Azerbaijan Service Contract N ENI/2017/391915 Technical Assistance Service Contract EuropeAid/138339/DH/SER/AZ Terms of Reference for Non-Key Junior Expertise Assignment Title of Junior Non-Key Expert (JNKE-5), Communication and Visibility Request No. 001 1. Background Background of the programme Background & rationale of the Azerbaijan is an upper-middle-income country, which had a GDP per capita of US$ 7,986 in 2014. As a result of strong growth and targeted social assistance programmes, the poverty rate dropped significantly, from around 50% in 2000 to 5% in 2014. While the share of GDP of the non-oil sectors increased from 45% to 68.5% during the years 2009 to 2015, the oil and gas sector in 2015 contributed 31.2% to GDP and 94% to Azerbaijan s exports. Due to the sharp decline of the oil price at international markets from mid-2014 onwards, GDP/capita in USD has almost halved since then. This new situation may mark another turning point and threaten the consolidation of gains made so far. It also makes further reforms of the Azerbaijan economy an absolute and urgent necessity. Azerbaijan has developed strategic relations with the EU within the Eastern Partnership Initiative (EaP) and through specific agreements that give attention to reforming and strengthening the country s public sector and administration. Importantly, a long-term objective of EU-Azerbaijani relations has been to increase the knowledge about the EU, its institutions, its decision-making processes, economic integration and legal systems. On 6 December 2016, the President approved strategic roadmaps for 6 Priority Production & Services Sectors (Oil & Gas, Agriculture, SME, Heavy Industry, Tourism, Logistics & Trade), 2 Priority Social Sectors (Affordable housing, Vocational Training), and 3 Economic Infrastructure Sectors (Financial services, Telecommunication, Utilities). Road maps focus on short, medium and long-term development until 2025 and will require a well-qualified human-resource base. To support these goals the education and training system will need to undergo substantial changes, improving not only the formal education system but strengthening as well the adult learning provision and creating more lifelong opportunities. 2. Description of the 2.1 Overall To enhance the quality and relevance of the education and training system in Azerbaijan project objective supporting economic diversification, creating opportunities for lifelong learning, and fulfilling the 2.2 Specific project objectives and related results Education development Strategy in line with European and international best practice. Results related to specific objective 1: Support effective mechanism for NQF implementation 1.1. Capacity of the NQF Secretariat to act for the NQF Coordination body strengthened; 1.2. Roles of the implementing bodies clearly identified, adequate involvement of stakeholders ensured and new roles attributed; 1.3. Laws and regulations applying to education and training are consistent with NQF goals; 1.4. Co-ordination of policy across Ministries (especially Education and Labour) created and maintained; 1.5. The capacities of the stakeholders to play their role in the functional NQF are supported. Results related to specific objective 2: Introduce relevant education standards in pilot sectors 2.1. Occupational mapping of 3 out of the 8 priority sectors completed and 24 occupations divided
over levels 3-7 of the NQF selected for testing; 2.2. Guidelines for developing education standards from occupational standards developed; 2.3. At least 12 standard developers trained and guidance materials developed; 2.4. State Educational Standards for 24 occupations over levels 3-7 of the NQF with a structure for a learning-outcome-based approach revised and agreed with the Beneficiary. Results related to specific objective 3: Ensure education standards support competency based education provision 3.1. Guidance materials for developing study programmes from education standards prepared, curriculum developers from relevant national institutions and providers trained, alternative pathways and work-based learning integrated; 3.2. Study programmes, learning outcome based curricula and pedagogical and assessment guidance for IVET, College Education, Higher Education and adult learning for the abovementioned 24 education standards (2.3) developed; 3.3. Teachers/trainers from selected education providers for approximately 12 study programmes covering VET, College, HE and adult learning trained; 3.4. 12 Study programmes tested and evaluated; guidance materials reviewed and improved accordingly. Results related to specific objectives 4: Improve access to lifelong learning through flexible provision, alternative pathways and validation of non-formal and informal learning 4.1. National stakeholders (decision makers, potential implementers) familiarised with European best practice in validation of non-formal and informal learning; 4.2. Concept paper for the validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning developed in cooperation with Ministry of Education, the VET Agency, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and stakeholders from the world of work; 4.3. Guidelines for the validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning developed and tested for two profiles using existing VET qualifications or qualification standards. Counsellors, assessors and validators/qa experts for validation of non-formal/ informal learning (VNFIL) pilot trained; 4.4. Exploration study on the potential for more flexible lifelong provision and assessment in Azerbaijan with (1) review of existing examples in the country (2) scoping of potential initiatives that could be developed within priority sectors and (3) recommendations for the improving the flexibility of provision agreed focusing on regulatory and practical requirements; 4.5. Credit transfer from Sub-Bachelor to Bachelor programmes developed and tested. Results related to specific objectives 5: Improve QA of assessment and certification processes 5.1 New regulations, methodologies and guidelines for improving assessment in line with international good practice developed and agreed with the Beneficiary; 5.2 New assessment approaches in IVET, for sub-bachelor and HE qualifications tested; 5.3 Guidelines for the internal and external QA of assessment and certification processes, including the QA for VNFIL developed; 5.4 Standards for assessors and for validators and a training programme tested. Results related to specific objectives 6: Effective information and guidance for employers/sectors, providers and learners to use the NQF 6.1 NQF Advocacy Strategy to communicate with the public so as to enable people in the country to make more informed choices relating to qualifications, providers, career and learning paths, and education, training and development in general developed and implementation started; 6.2 Structure of the National Register (including databases of qualifications, units, accredited institutions and accredited study programmes) and criteria and procedures for the inclusion of
qualifications / units, accredited institutions and study programmes developed and agreed with the Beneficiary; 6.3 At least 24 state education standards for priority sectors covering levels 3-7 of the NQF based on the 24 occupations brought into register; 6.4 Employers, students and families and education providers and assessment centres have access to a NQF Website with targeted information with links to the national NQF register and the register of occupational standards; 6.5 National career guidance practices are enhanced by a review, agreed concept for a national system of career information, guidance and counselling system including recommendations and an implementation plan and a proposal for a national career website is developed. 2.3 Requested services & objectives of the Requested services: The Junior Non-Key Expert is required initially to support Inception Period activities, in particular: a) ensuring adequate visibility of the project as an EU-funded initiative, and that all such actions are compliant with the Communication and Visibility Manual for EU Actions, and b) development of a Visibility and Communication Strategy for the project, and c) development of Inception Report proposals for: - implementation of an NQF Implementation Conference - general awareness-raising of project objectives and activities through all relevant project components - a Public Information Campaign with respect to NQF The subsequent activities will be in accordance with the finalised planned Activity schedule developed as part of the Inception Report. These activities will include: a) ensuring adequate visibility of the project as an EU-funded initiative, and that all such actions are compliant with the Communication and Visibility Manual for EU Actions, b) implementation of the Visibility and Communication Strategy for the project, c) organisation of an NQF Implementation Conference, d) general awareness-raising of project objectives and activities through all relevant project components, and e) organisation and implementation of a Public Information Campaign with respect to NQF. Overall objectives of this : The JNKE will work with the Project throughout the project period. The JNKE will report on a regular basis to KEs (in particular to KE1) and to the Beneficiary. In addition, the JNKE will co-ordinate and liaise with various relevant stakeholder groups to regularly update them on progress and key milestones which are achieved during the lifetime of the Project. S/he will fulfil various tasks in the frame of all components. The JNKE will render necessary support to and ensure continuity of the publicity of the project activities, in the absence of KEs, and in turn, will be assisted by other experts with expertise and skills in specific areas as required by the project. These areas may include IT support to website establishment and maintenance, and graphic design. The JNKE will contribute to Specific objectives of this : In close collaboration with the project TL (KE 1) and other experts, the JNKE will participate in implementation of the following tasks:
2.4 Required outputs Production of Visibility and Communications (V&C) Strategy which includes the description of target objectives for raising public and key stakeholder awareness about the NQF and associated activities Development of indicators to be included in the V&C Strategy Production of an Action Plan of activities for achieving key V&C expected outputs Analysis and recommendations for building and achieving website/social media capacity and performance Conduct regular press review and international/national media scanning In cooperation with specialists, to develop communication tools and materials Work with technical staff to develop the website Other relevant activities The JNKE will contribute to achieving the objectives by providing support to the TL (KE 1) in preparation of the following deliverables. Deliverables: Visibility and Communications Strategy Action Plan for implementation of key Communication events Information on results and outputs from the six constituent components of the Project Analytical study for the needs assessment of each component Communication tools, including visibility items relevant to the expected Project Outputs An agreed number of video and audio spots An agreed number of e-newsletters Database of media and journalist contacts Opportunities taken for publicising the work of the Project 3. Methodology Familiarisation of Project ToR, Regular meetings and discussions with KEs and other NKEs, research, attending meetings, making contact with key stakeholders, attending training events, sitting in on Working Group meetings. 4. Expert profile No Position Days Key qualifications 1 JNKE1 180 Minimum requirements: A university degree; 3 years experience in organisation of Public Relations and/or Promotional Campaigns, preferably in an international organisation and/or context Experience of EU project administration and implementation Fluency in written and spoken English language; Fluency in Azeri language. 5. Location and duration Preferred requirements: Experience of working and communicating with public sector bodies and agencies Master Degree in European Studies or comparable qualification (e.g. LL.M., MBA with a relevant specialisation) would be an asset 5.1 Starting date 0104.2018 or later 5.2 Duration Up to 150 working days (01.04.2018-22.07.2020) 5.4 Location Baku, and other locations in Azerbaijan as required
6. Reporting ENI/2014/033-774 6.1 Content Providing inputs to the Project reports and outputs required by the ToR. 6.2 Language English 6.3 Submission timing 7. Equipment Initial Deliverable (i.e. V&C Strategy) by 14/04/2018 Remaining deliverables as per the Work Plan of the Project 7.1 Equipment (laptop) will be provided by the contractor.