UNICEF TURKEY COUNTRY OFFICE

TERMS of REFERENCE

SHORT TERM NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL CONSULTANCY

Short Term National Institutional Consultancy Services to provide EDU/TURA/2021-Z accredited Turkish language training to Syrian Volunteer Education Personnel (SVEP)

Links with the Country Programme Priorities

Country Programme Outcome 1 - By 2025, more young children, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from learning, nurturing care and development at home and in their communities.

Output 1.3 – By 2025, the education system has increased capacity to offer inclusive and quality education (including primary) for the most vulnerable young children.

Grant Code: SC200619

I. Background

In 2019, Turkey continued to host the world’s largest refugee population. Of the nearly 3.6 million Syrians under temporary protection, over 1.6 million are children1. The Government of Turkey (GoT) continues to lead the humanitarian response, with the great majority of services for refugees being provided through national systems2.

Within the context of education, refugee children are one of the most vulnerable groups in Turkey. While the GoT has considerable capacity to uphold and protect children’s right to education, education-related development challenges remain in relation to poverty, child labour, child marriage, and gender and disability discrimination, compounding the existing vulnerabilities of refugee children.

Since the beginning of the Syria Crisis, UNICEF has worked in partnership with the GoT and other education stakeholders to ensure access to and quality of education for refugee children. The Syrian Volunteer Education Personnel (SVEP) Incentives programme has been a critical part of UNICEF’s overall education strategy in Turkey, which has encouraged the enrolment and sustained the retention of Syrian children in formal education3. SVEP are volunteers who provide support for the smooth integration of Syrian children into the Turkish education system. he SVEP incentives programme has three main components. The first one is the provision of monthly financial incentives that enables the volunteers to better meet both individual and family basic needs and ensures that they remain motivated and engaged in their roles. Provision of incentives also provides

1 https://www.goc.gov.tr/gecici-koruma5638 as of 17.02.2021 2 Since 2016 the Turkish government has been integrating Syrian children into the national education system. 3 SVEP are utilized in various education institutions in 23 provinces; Adana, Adıyaman, Ankara, Antalya, Batman, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Kilis, Kocaeli, Konya, Malatya, Mardin, Mersin, Osmaniye, Sakarya, Şanlıurfa and Siirt.

recognition and appreciation to the important role SVEP play as well as ensuring their continuity in the education profession.

The second component of the programme is supporting the development of the professional capacity of SVEP taking into consideration their roles in supporting Syrian children to access education opportunities and providing needed learning and psychosocial wellbeing support to children enrolled in Turkish public institutions and contributing to enhancing the overall learning environment in schools.

SVEP provide support to the management of educational institutions, Syrian children and their parents based on the demands of a specific educational institution and context. For example, SVEP support school registration processes and language issues. With outreach activities SVEP support Turkish teachers to inform Syrian families about education opportunities and to identify out of school children.

The third component of the programme aims to support SVEP’s transition to livelihood opportunities through the provision of a variety of services including skills mapping, training, career counselling, and linking/referral to livelihood programs and opportunities.

II. Purpose of the Work

The purpose of this work is related to the second component of the programme, which aims to support the development of the professional capacity of SVEP taking into consideration their roles in supporting Syrian children to access education opportunities and providing needed learning and psychosocial wellbeing support to children enrolled in Turkish public institutions and contributing to enhancing the overall learning environment in schools.

III. Scope of the Work

The consultancy company/institution is expected to complete the following tasks and submit the relevant deliverables in line with the agreed work calendar (specific deliverables for each task are given in Part IV, Deliverables and Tentative Workload). The number of SVEP to benefit from the Turkish language courses may range from approximately 1,000 to 12,000 SVEP.

This TOR does not cover the costs associated with setting up a new infrastructure, materials, interface, etc. for the provision of the Online Language Course.

Companies / institutions applying for this bid should:

 Have an already existing open source online Turkish language training programme  Have the capacity to monitor SVEP sign-up with a unique username linked to ID  Have courses that provide a certificate of completion at the end of each module of the online course generated by the system (this is different than the administration of proficiency exams under Task 2.)  Provide official evidence that their courses and certification are accredited by relevant entities (Task 2).

Task 1: Provision of Online Turkish Language Courses at A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 Levels

SVEP are located within 23 provinces across Turkey and thus the Turkish Language Course training needs to be provided online and be accessible from different locations. The level of SVEP’s Turkish Language proficiency by province will be provided to the awarded company / institution.

The details on the provision of the course are as follows:

 Attendance in a language course is voluntary however the awarded institution should ensure that an appropriate online infrastructure can benefit a maximum of 12,000 learners within the given time frame (until the end of August 2021).

IMPORTANT NOTE: SVEP will be provided with an internet package of 10 GB every month until the end of August 2021 to allow them to access online courses. Companies / institutions should indicate if a larger package would be needed.

Task 2: Examination of the SVEP (Turkish Language Course) and Provision of Accredited Certification

SVEP who complete an online course should be able to take a corresponding language proficiency assessment. An examination therefore needs to be administered to SVEP evaluate their language competency and completion of the Turkish Language Course(s) provided.

Accordingly, the provision of the examination and certification process will include the following:

 To register for the proficiency Turkish language exams, SVEP must present a certificate of completion of the online course generated by the company/institution’s system  The examination needs to provide accredited language competency certification for the respective level of the Turkish Language training  Exams for different levels need to be administered at least twice during the course of this consultancy.

Deliverables and Tentative Workload

Task 1: Provision of Online Turkish Language Courses at A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 Level Tasks Deliverables Workload (tentative) Provision of Turkish Language Course  Provision of Online Turkish including: Language Courses to 1,000  Provision of online Turkish Language to 12,000 SVEP Courses  Monthly reports including  Report on the registration and registration and Until the end of August completion of online courses for each completion of online 2021 individual SVEP courses  2 feedback meetings/month

Task 2: Examination of the SVEP for the Turkish Language Course and Provision of Accredited Certification**  Ensure SVEP who wish to obtain  Administering the accredited certification have their Language Proficiency language proficiency assessed (level of Exam and provision of Until the end of August Turkish language skills) accredited certification for 2021  Ensure that accredited certifications for SVEP who take and pass assessed SVEP are issued within the the certification exam defined timeframe  Report certification details and numbers  2 feedback of SVEP who participate in, complete the meetings/month programme, etc. to UNICEF **SVEP should be able to take the certification exam(s) in the province where they are registered.

IV. Duration and Tentative Timeframe of the Work

The assignment will cover a period of 5 months (April – August 2021) and payments will be made upon the delivery of tasks. During the consultancy period, the consultancy company/institution will hold biweekly (twice/month) meetings with UNICEF to inform and receive feedback from UNICEF about the process.

In case of any unexpected delay(s) in the estimated time frame (approval process, force majeure, etc.), the duration of the assignment might be extended subject to the same conditions and mutual will of the parties.

V. Cost of Consultancy and Payment for the Work

Estimated Cost of Consultancy: The consultancy company/institution shall present a financial proposal that elaborates on the cost of online courses (if any) and the costs of examination and certification per number of SVEP taking the exam including a total sum. All fees should be submitted in TRY. Since the services are expected to be provided online and examinations will take place in the provinces where SVEP are registered, the financial proposal will not include any travel expenditures.

Payment: UNICEF will issue a contract in TRY. Payments will be made in TRY upon submission of the deliverables every month.

VI. Duty Station of the Work

UNICEF Turkey Country Office (TCO) is located in Ankara. SVEP are in 23 provinces (Adana, Adıyaman, Ankara, Antalya, Batman, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Istanbul, Izmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Kilis, Kocaeli, Konya, Malatya, Mardin, Mersin, Osmaniye, Sakarya, Şanlıurfa and Siirt). Therefore, the company must ensure that SVEP can access the courses and take the exam(s) in the province where they are registered.

VII. Supervision of the Work

Education Specialist, UNICEF Turkey Country Office – Ankara

VIII. Reservations

UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the contract and/or withhold all or a portion of payment if the rules and the regulations regarding confidentiality, ethics and procedures of UNICEF and the partners are not followed, the performance is unsatisfactory, or work/deliverables are incomplete, not delivered or fail to meet the deadlines. Bidders must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference. The deliverables will remain the copyright of UNICEF. Members of the team shall not use the data for their own research purposes, nor license the data to others, without the written consent of UNICEF. Confidentiality, intellectual property and other proprietary rights regarding this task are governed by Article-5, Annex-A General Terms and Conditions for Services of the RFP document. You may see below the excerpt for ease of reference: QUOTE: 5.Intellectual Property and Other Proprietary Rights; Data Protection; Confidentiality Intellectual Property and Other Proprietary Rights 5.1 Unless otherwise expressly provided for in the Contract: (a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this Article 5.1, UNICEF will be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, documents, data and other materials (“Contract Materials”) that: (i) the Contractor develops for UNICEF under the Contract and which bear a direct relation to the Contract; or (ii) are produced, prepared or collected in consequence of, or during the course of, the performance of the Contract. The term “Contract Materials” includes, but is not limited to, all maps, drawings, photographs, plans, reports, recommendations, estimates, documents developed or received by, and all other data compiled by or received by, the Contractor under the Contract. The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that Contract Materials constitute works made for hire for UNICEF. Contract Materials will be treated as UNICEF’s Confidential Information and will be delivered only to authorized UNICEF officials on expiry or termination of the Contract. (b) UNICEF will not be entitled to, and will not claim any ownership interest in, any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of the Contractor that pre-existed the performance by the Contractor of its obligations under the Contract, or that the Contractor may develop or acquire, or may have developed or acquired, independently of the performance of its obligations under the Contract. The Contractor grants to UNICEF a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use such intellectual property or other proprietary rights solely for the purposes of and in accordance with the requirements of the Contract. (c) At UNICEF's request, the Contractor will take all necessary steps, execute all necessary documents and generally assist in securing such proprietary rights and transferring them (or, in the case, intellectual property referred to in paragraph (b) above, licensing) to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law and of the Contract. Confidentiality 5.2 Confidential Information that is considered proprietary by either Party or that is delivered or disclosed by one Party (“Discloser”) to the other Party (“Recipient”) during the course of performance of the Contract or in connection with the subject matter of the Contract will be held in confidence by the Recipient. The Recipient will use the same care and discretion to avoid disclosure of the Discloser’s Confidential Information as the Recipient uses for its own Confidential Information and will use the Discloser’s Confidential Information solely for the purpose for which it was disclosed to the Recipient. The Recipient will not disclose the Discloser’s Confidential Information to any other party: (a) except to those of its Affiliates, employees, officials, representatives, agents and sub- contractors who have a need to know such Confidential Information for purposes of performing obligations under the Contract; or (b) unless the Confidential Information: (i) is obtained by the Recipient from a third party without restriction; (ii) is disclosed by the Discloser to a third party without any obligation of confidentiality; (iii) is known by the Recipient prior to disclosure by the Discloser; or (iv) at any time is developed by the Recipient completely independently of any disclosures under the Contract. 5.3 If the Contractor receives a request for disclosure of UNICEF’s Confidential Information pursuant to any judicial or law enforcement process, before any such disclosure is made, the Contractor: (a) will give UNICEF sufficient notice of such request in order to allow UNICEF to have a reasonable opportunity to secure the intervention of the relevant national government to establish protective measures or take such other action as may be appropriate and (b) will so advise the relevant authority that requested disclosure. UNICEF may disclose the Contractor’s Confidential Information to the extent required pursuant to resolutions or regulations of its governing bodies. 5.4 The Contractor may not communicate at any time to any other person, Government or authority external to UNICEF, any information known to it by reason of its association with UNICEF that has not been made public, except with the prior written authorization of UNICEF; nor will the Contractor at any time use such information to private advantage. UNQUOTE IX. Application Process

The consultancy company/institutions should submit to UNICEF the following documents:

 Technical proposal including: o Information about the institution/organization (history, relevant experience, human resources, etc.) o Proposed methodology to meet the deliverables including details on available online courses for the provision of Turkish language o Timeline o Work plan o The documents (company’s/institution’s certificate of legal registration, financial statements, official list of authorized signatures, UNGM number, etc.) stated in the technical evaluation criteria  Financial proposal

Technical and financial proposals should be submitted in separate files. After the technical evaluation, financial proposals of qualified consultancy companies/institutions will be opened and evaluated. The technical evaluation will be completed based on the criteria below in Part XI, Evaluation Criteria. UNICEF may hold a pre-bid meeting. The consultancy companies/institutions are advised to check the UNGM website / UNICEF website regularly for updates on the tender process.

X. Evaluation and Award Criteria

The evaluation and award criteria that will be used for this RFP is a cumulative analysis evaluation (point system with weight attribution). Accordingly, the respective importance between technical and the financial scores will be weighted as 70% and 30%.

In the case of cumulative analysis, the proposals scoring below 70% of the available technical points will be considered non-compliant and will be rejected and not further considered (in the case of 70:30, the passing score is 49 points out of 70). The final selection of the contractor will be based on a combination of the technical and financial proposals with a weighting of 70% for the technical proposal and 30% for the financial proposal.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Technical proposals will be evaluated as per the below criteria and weighting:

No Technical Evaluation Criteria Maximum Point 1 Implementation Modality 30 1.1 Existence and availability of online self-paced Turkish Language course 30 and materials with automatic certificates upon completion 2 Relevancy of the Institution/Organization 40 2.1 Evidence/experience working in Turkey on areas related to the scope of the work and demonstrable experience and competency in working with 15 large stakeholder group(s) (UN, government departments, etc.) in relation to similar scope and complexity of this assignment 2.2 Outreach capacity and prevalence of the institution across Turkey to 25 administer exams within provinces where SVEP are registered Total Technical Score 70