Consultant for Developing Teacher Learning Circle as a pilot of school-based professional development in Timor-Leste

Background

ChildFund Timor-Leste (CFTL) has been working in collaboration with Mary MacKillop Today Timor-Leste (MMT) under the project HAKAS – Hau Kontente Aprende no Susesu since July 2018, through the funding of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) through Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). In HAKAS Phase 1 (3 years: July 2018 to June 2021), teachers from 48 targeted schools have been trained on child-friendly teaching methods in the classroom. The end of project evaluation for HAKAS Phase 1 reviewed that teachers still lack the confidence in implementing the teaching methods, after attending 5 half-days centralised training. When MMT facilitated demonstration learning sessions (called thematic learning activities), there has been the lack of teacher ownership and the on-the-job training was not materialised.

When HAKAS Phase 2 was redesigned (2 years: July 2021 to June 2023), decided to involve 12 schools or 25% of the schools targeted in HAKAS Phase 1 project to build in sustainability of the project. In terms of intervention approach, teacher training remains a critical opportunity for teachers improve their teaching skills on child-friendly approaches. The project is acutely aware of the challenge that many small, rural and remote schools, teachers have little opportunity to receive centralised training, as they are far from municipality centres and costs of travel are high. While teachers targeted in HAKAS benefited from centralised training, there is an ambition to create more professional development opportunities for all teachers in Timor-Leste.

As a long-term sustainability strategy, CFTL is piloting the use of Teacher Learning Circle (TLC) that aims to provide teachers a school-based teacher professional development opportunity, which supplements the centralised training model. TLC coordinators are selected from senior teaching staff of the 12 targeted schools, which will be trained on the facilitation of a TLC session.

ChildFund Australia has experience in developing Teacher Learning Circles in Papua New Guinea, where school (or cluster) based TLC are organised at individual schools to enable teachers to learn from peers by sharing experience, knowledge and skills. TLC offers a dedicated time for reflection, discussion and planning, which can be hard to find during busy school days. TLC are a way to make professional development for teachers a part of schools’ routine.

In Year 1 of HAKAS Phase 2 implementation, the education advisor from ChildFund Australia has trained CFTL and MMT staff on the concept and facilitation of TLC, and coaching techniques for supporting TLC coordinators. The TLC Handbook and Coaching Handbook were also developed in English for HAKAS Phase 2, which contains guidelines to facilitate a TLC, resources and materials required for a TLC session, and guidelines on classroom observation and coaching.

CFTL acknowledge that there is more contextualisation required to pilot the TLC model in Timor-Leste. This assignment involves the hired consultant lead the writing of TLC manual, materials for TLC sessions, and the training of trainer guide. The consultant will be working alongside closely with the Education Advisor of CFA, Education Manager of CFTL, the Project Manager of MMT and the Head of Programs of CFTL to ensure the TLC framework suits the Timorese education context and create relevant resources for the TLC manual and training plans.

Scope of Work

The consultant will submit the outline of the assignment to meet the objectives of this TOR through the collaborative approach involving CFTL project staff. Given the nature of assignment involving government partners, international consultants is expected to have the working knowledge of Tetun and/or have a team member that is a Tetun speaker that will be able to do the translation.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

3.a Revision of TLC Handbook (English and Tetun version)

The TLC Handbook has been drafted in English by Education Advisor of CFA. The Handbook includes the overview of TLC as a teacher professional development framework, outline of a TLC session, guides and tips in managing a TLC. This needs to be reviewed through consultation with INFORDEPE (National Training Institute), to ensure the handbook fits into the Timorese education context and the Ministry of Education’s strategic plans. Through the revision of the TLC handbook, it is expected that there should be alignment with the government’s teacher training framework, policies and strategic plan, through consultation with INFORDEPE. The revised copy should be available in both English and Tetun and shared with INFORDEPE and others stakeholders that are interested in the teacher training for comment. CFTL Education Manager will be the liaison to manage the partnership between INFORDEPE and the project requirements, including publication guides to recognise the donor. The final copy is expected to receive endorsement from INFORDEPE.

3.b TLC Manual for Coordinators

This manual will be the main resource of TLC coordinators to facilitate TLC sessions. A menu of 6 topics would be selected, based on the discussion with CFTL, MMT and INFORDEPE. Each TLC session would include guide notes, resources and materials throughout the TLC cycle. Each TLC session would also be accompanied by a learning video, where it showcases the teaching practice related to the TLC session topic (e.g. positive classroom management). MMT has developed some teacher videos, alongside with the MOE’s suite of videos that may be accompanied by the TLC session. If required, international videos could be selected with Tetun subtitles accompanied. CFTL do not anticipate creating original videos content, given a limited budget to pilot.

4.b TLC TOT plan

The consultant will also prepare a training curriculum to prepare the TLC coordinators through a train-the-trainer session. This could be presented as single deliverable, but it should contain specific references to the TLC manual, and advice on how to facilitate the TLC sessions.

Selection Criteria for Consultant

ChildFund Timor-Leste is seeking a consultant with knowledge and experience in project evaluations and education. The consultant must be based in Timor-Leste and available for face-to-face meetings and willing to travel for data collection in the field.

• University degree in Education, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, or related disciplines with strong experience in conducting similar evaluations in developing countries particularly in South-East Asia.
• Proven experience in data management and analysis and report writing.
• Flexible and able to adapt to a multi-cultural environment and complex situations, with demonstrable high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, such as building collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Self-driven, strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to work independently or in a group, as well as under pressure.
• Excellent command of English both written and oral
• Knowledge of Portuguese language, Bahasa Indonesia or Tetum is an added advantage.

Please click HERE to find more information about the consultant job ToR.

Submission of Application

ChildFund Timor-Leste welcomes applications from qualified applicants residing in Timor Leste including Timorese national. Applicants should consider and explain the necessary adjustments to the mode and cost of delivery due to possible restrictions from Covid 19 in their application.

The successful candidate is expected start by 1st March 2023. All interested candidates should submit a cover letter in English describing their suitability based on the above required qualifications and experiences. The candidate should include a recent CV with referees, principles and approach that will be used to achieve the purpose/objectives of this Consultancy work and a financial proposal.

NOTE: The financial proposal should specify a total lump sum amount and a breakdown of a daily professional fee and communication costs etc. Applications without a financial proposal will be regarded as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

How to apply:

Please click on the Apply for This Job button on the right-hand side of your screen above to submit your application. The deadline for application is till 19 January 2023.

Note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information, please contact Manuel Marques at mmarques@childfund.org.au (don’t use this email to submit the application)

ChildFund is an equal opportunities employer and has a strict child safeguarding policy and background checks will be undertaken prior to any offer of employment.

ChildFund is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply for any vacancies.