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