Amici dei Bambini, Moldova is searching for a trainer in disability and quality inclusion in schools

Inclusive Quality Education for All

Terms of Reference (ToR) for an external consultant  to provide a Training of Trainers (ToT) in Disability and Quality Inclusion in Schools

GENERAL INFORMATION / BACKGROUND

Inclusive quality education means that all children and young people, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, emotional or linguistic abilities, including the most vulnerable and marginalised, are supported.  And they are to learn and participate equally and effectively in safety, and free from gender bias, discrimination and violence.  In the current context of the Ukrainian crisis and inclusion of Ukrainian refugee children and young people in Moldovan schools, it is as important as ever to ensure schools are safe and welcoming space for all and that educators have the skills, tools and support to ensure this.  Inclusive education ensures the presence, participation and achievement of all learners in learning opportunities. Discrimination, language barriers, and content or teaching methods that do not benefit all learners can lead to exclusion from education. Our teacher are central to ensuring learning spaces are indeed safe and welcoming and promote inclusive quality education for all.  If teachers aren’t appropriately equipped, trained and supported, any attempts to foster inclusion will be greatly compromised. 

The 2011 – 2020 Inclusive Education Development Programme in the Republic of Moldova outlines the strategic framework for the promotion of inclusive education at the national level. The Programme endorses the concept of inclusive education as providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of their cultural, social, ethnic, religious or economic affiliation, or their intellectual or physical abilities. The 2015–17 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Inclusive Education Development Programme aimed to operationalize the programme’s objectives by strengthening institutional capacities at all education levels. However, as highlighted in the 2014-2020 Republic of Moldova Education Sector Plan, integration barriers into mainstream classrooms persist. Teachers need targeted and sustained professional development in practical skills, child-friendly pedagogical practice and approaches to manage increasingly more complex learning spaces.  This is to ensure all children, with a focus on children with special educational needs, have a fair chance to go to a school where they are welcomed, feel safe and are able to learn and develop the skills they need to thrive. 

This includes

• How to create and foster welcoming and safe spaces for all children and young people free from discrimination and bias
• How to work with children and young people with special education needs including physical, sensory, mental and intellectual disabilities
• Provision of assistance to families of children with disabilities
• Adjust and adapt regular school programmes to meet the needs of all children

SCOPE OF WORK & KEY DELIVERABLES

The proposed scope of work is for a total of 15 days’ work across July/August 2023.  

In the Expression of Interest, the applicant should describe how these outcomes will be met. Please also provide evidence and information as described below.

Please note there is a very practical emphasis on these trainings and therefore, also on the methodology the applicant will use.  Teachers work in increasingly complex learning spaces and these trainings need to give them concrete skills, approaches and strategies that promote inclusion to be applied immediately upon their return to the classroom. Modelling sound inclusive pedagogical practice for trainees and teachers is key.

Please note on Consultancy Fee/ Daily Rate proposed:

• Any costs related to training venues; lunch; workshop stationery (paper; pens; flipchart paper; projector etc) are not the responsibility of the Consultant and should therefore not be reflected in the fee.
• The Consultant fee is to reflect daily net rate for 15 days in total of which must include any related local travel/ accommodation/materials to undertake the assignment.
• Assumption is the training will be delivered in Romanian however to be confirmed if translation for Russian speakers is required.

A proposed activity schedule by day allocation is provided below under Timeline /Activity Schedule.

TIMELINE / ACTIVITY SCHEDULE

A total of 15 days has been factored into the Consultancy period with a suggested activity timeline /level of effort reflected below.   Please ensure your application includes a similar suggested breakdown of days by activity for a total of 15 days.   The consultancy fee must be inclusive of any personal accommodation/ resources/stationery-related requirements

 METHODOLOGY

• The training methodology must reflect and model the same inclusive pedagogical practice the consultant promotes in his/her training sessions. Without modeling what’s being promoted as inclusive and child-friendly is not acceptable. Too often there is a disconnect between content delivered and the way in which it’s being delivered so please take this into account.
• Explain preferred training room and activity set up etc. to support this methodological approach. The venue selection has been made with this in mind to encourage and promote group work where possible and a room in which this can be best facilitated (space; furniture set up etc).
• Methodologies that promote learning by doing (active over passive); role play; scenarios and case studies are strongly preferred approaches for these trainings.

QUALIFICATIONS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Education, Social Science or any other subject relevant to assignment.
• At least ten years of professional experience in education sector.
• Up-to date knowledge, skills, conceptual understanding and comprehensive practice and/or experience in education obtained through research, programming, evaluation, and/or academic endeavors. Direct experience in evaluating inclusive education programs will be an added advantage.
• Up-to date knowledge, skills, conceptual understanding and comprehensive practice and/or experience in programming and/or evaluation for education of children with disabilities and/or disability inclusion, obtained through practical experience, programming, evaluation, project work, and/or academic endeavors.
• Up-to date knowledge, skills, conceptual understanding and comprehensive practice and/or experience in programming and/or evaluation for gender inclusiveness in education, obtained through research, programming, evaluation, and/or academic endeavors.

Interested candidates are invited to send an email to the following address: moldova.aibi@gmail.com, with the following name: Inclusive Quality Education for All

The application must contain:

• The updated CV
• The letter of intents, with the description of all the requested information, as per ToR
• Financial offer
• Other relevant information/evidence of experience and qualification.

Deadline for application: July 23^rd, 2023.