Format B: TERMS OF REFERENCE – Individual (non-IMEP
related)
Assignment
Support for the development and implementation of
an ICT strategy for teacher development
Location
South Africa
Duration
11 Months
Estimate number of
working days
132 days (3 days a week)
Start date
1 January 2015
End date
30 November 2015
Reporting to
Education Specialist, UNICEF
Deputy Director-General: Teacher Development, DBE
Budget Source
Education
Closing date for
proposals
28 November 2014
1.
Justification/Background
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) recognises the centrality of E-education in the White Paper
on E-education (2004) and the Action Plan to 2019 – Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2030, as an
innovation to improve and diversify teaching and learning and to respond to teaching and learning in
the 21st century. More specifically, the use of ICT has also been identified as a key strategy to promote
and make teacher development more accessible in the Integrated Strategic Planning Framework for
Teacher Education and Development (ISPTED) in South Africa 2011-2015.
In September 2014, the DBE, together with UNICEF and Mxit Reach launched the Ukufunda Virtual
School that aims to reduce inequalities in the school system, raise education standards and put the
power of education in the hands of every learner, teacher and parent using mobile technology. A
platform for teachers has been developed that aggregates existing resources to support teaching and
that makes available teacher development opportunities. In addition, a self-assessment tool is being
developed for teachers to identify areas of development in a safe and non-threatening environment.
One hundred and thirty (130) teacher development centres have also been established across the
country to serve as local support sites for teachers where curriculum support and other resources can
be accessed and as sites for continuing professional development. ICT is expected to play a key role
in facilitating support to teachers at teacher development centres.
The Department of Basic Education requires the support of a Technical Assistant to further develop the
teacher platform on Ukufunda and to ensure its widespread use amongst teachers as well as support
its strategy to integrate the use of ICT into teacher training and development. The number of Ukufunda
Virtual School is expected to reach 100 000 teachers and 50 000 learner by December 2015.
2.
Scope of the Work (Work assignment)
The scope of work of the TA is focused on providing technical support to the Department of Basic
Education. In this endeavour, the main areas of support will include the following:
a) Applications for Ukufunda. The TA is required to support the development of mobile applications
and the aggregation of digital content on the Ukufunda Virtual School and related DBE-supported
mobile learning solutions, in support of teacher development. One such application will be focused
on the growth of Professional Learning Communities and Subject Communities as stated in the
DBE's Integrated Strategic Planning Framework for Teacher Education and Development.
b) Scale up and Research of Ukufunda. The TA is required to develop a strategy and drive the largescale uptake and optimal use of the Ukufunda Virtual School and related mobile learning solutions
by teachers as a partnership between the Department of Basic Education, the Provincial Education
Departments, UNICEF and Mxit Reach. This must include use by teachers at the 130 teacher
development centres. In addition, the TA must research the adoption of the Ukufunda Virtual School
by an estimated 50 000 South African Teachers who are reportedly registered on the Mxit platform.
c) Guidelines on ICT Integration. The TA is required to revise the DBE's 2007 Guidelines on ICT
Integration and Teacher Training and Development and support the approval process. An important
part of the revised Guidelines will include how ICT can support and enable the development of
Professional Learning Communities.
d) Partnerships. The TA must facilitate and support the growth of partnerships on behalf of DBE with
prospective corporate, donor and development partners to strengthen teacher development and
ICT integration.
e) Course development. The TA is required to develop a University and SACE-accredited ICT and
Teacher Centre Managers Course with the University of Johannesburg on behalf of DBE.
3.
Expected Deliverables
Deliverable
Mobile Learning
Applications
Scale up of Ukufunda
Guidelines on ICT
Integration
Description/Format
Facilitate the
development of mobile
applications on teacher
development onto the
Ukufunda Virtual
School and other DBEsupported platforms
including a platform for
PLCs
Develop, implement
and evaluate a strategy
for the large-scale
uptake and optimal use
of the Ukufunda Virtual
School by South
African Teachers
including use of the
platform at the 130
teacher development
centres
Revise the 2007 DBE
Guidelines on ICT
Integration and
Teacher Professional
Quantity
3 applications
developed and
included on the
Ukufunda Virtual
School and other
DBE-supported
platforms including a
platform for PLCs
Timeframe
January to March
2015
Strategy to scale up
Ukufunda
January to February
2015
Research Report on
the adoption of the
Ukufunda Virtual
School by South
African Teachers
April 2015 to
November 2015
100 000 teachers use
Ukufunda Virtual
School
One hard copy and
one electronic copy of
the revised draft
guidelines ready for
November 2015
January 2015 – April
2015
Development and
support the approval
process
Partnerships
Accredited course
Facilitate partnerships
on ICT Integration and
Teacher Development
programmes of the
NICPD between 3
corporate/development
partners and DBE
A process for the
development and
accreditation of a
Teacher Centre
Managers and ICT is in
place in partnership
with the University of
Johannesburg
official adoption by the
DBE
1 x one-day facilitated
workshop on the
Revised DBE
Guidelines on ICT
Integration and
Teacher Professional
Development
MOUs with 3
corporate or
development partners
and DBE
July 2015
1 dedicated course
submitted for
accreditation by UJ
February 2015 –
September 2015
January 2015 – June
2015
The Technical Assistant will be expected to report to Mr Themba Kojana, Deputy Director-General at
the DBE. As such, the management of outputs, regular feedback meetings, reporting and finalisation of
the deliverables will be overseen and approved by Mr Kojana.
4.
-
5.
Desired Background and Experience
Advanced academic degree with technical competence in the area of ICT and teacher
development.
At minimum 10 years’ experience in the education sector, and in ICT in the education sector in
developing county contexts, in particular. A focus on policy development and programme
implementation in the latter is desirable.
Technical competence and proven track record of conducting research, monitoring and evaluation.
Proven track record of growing multi-stakeholder partnerships working with the UN system,
governments, private sector, donor and NGO agencies.
Strong writing and presentation skills as well as the capacity to provide professional advice and
technical assistance in government programming at national level.
Language proficiency.
Project management skills.
Ability and commitment to work to a tight time frame.
The ability to spend time working in Pretoria at the offices of the Department of Basic Education.
Conditions
- All the documents, applications, course content including data collection, entry and analysis tools, and
all the data developed or collected for this consultancy are the intellectual property of UNICEF and
the Department of Basic Education. The consultant may not publish or disseminate any of the
documents, data collection tools, collected data or any other documents produced from this
consultancy without the express written permission of, and acknowledgement of UNICEF and the
Department of Basic Education.
- Payment will be in accordance with the deliverables specified above and upon certification of
satisfactory performance at each phase and acceptance of written documents and submission of
invoice.
- The contractor will work on its own computer(s) and use its own office resources and materials in the
execution of this assignment. The contractor’s fee shall be inclusive of all office administrative
costs
- Local travel (outside Gauteng) and airport transfers (where applicable) will be covered in accordance
with UNICEF’s rules and tariffs.
- Flight costs will be covered at economy class rate as per UNICEF policies.
- Any air tickets for travel, will be authorized by and paid for by UNICEF directly, and will be for the
attendance of meetings and workshops (if contractor is from outside Gauteng)
- Please also see UNICEF’s Standard Terms and Conditions attached.
Enquiries:
Please direct any enquiries to: safpretoriavacancy@unicef.org
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that their applications are to be accompanied by the
attached completed and signed Personal History form (P11 Form), CV with a clear reference of the
individual consultancy assignment being applied for. Applications are to be sent on or before 28
November, 2014 to the following email address: safpretoriavacancy@unicef.org
South African Nationals/candidates who have permanent residence/temporary residence and/or valid
work permit for the duration of the contract will be considered.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted and regret emails will only be sent to interviewed
candidates.