Curriculum review of School Education & Literacy Department,

Location: Karachi
Company Name: United Nations Pakistan

Curriculum review of School Education & Literacy Department Under Third Party Recruitment

Background:

Pakistan is the fifth youngest and sixth most populated country in the world, having 64% young people of an estimated 200m population[1]. This large cohort of youth is seen as the beacon of prosperity capturing the demographic dividend in Pakistan[2] yet, Pakistan currently ranks 22nd among the 54 commonwealth countries, against the Commonwealth Youth Index[3]. Nevertheless, Pakistan has witnessed growing focus on youth development in recent years which is evident by the country’s adoption of the global sustainable development goals and various youth initiatives, reaffirming commitment to investing in youth as a development strategy.

It is a well-documented fact that in Pakistan young people have little or no knowledge or information regarding body development, paving way for misconceptions and fears regarding their reproductive health[4]. With little or no information given at schools, young people’s primary source of information remains either mainstream media or social media. Furthermore, in majority of households, mothers usually lack the necessary knowledge to share with their daughters or are too shy to educate them.

With 21% of young girls being married off before the age of 18yrs[5] i.e. one in three girls being married off before reaching the age of 18yrs[6], it is imperative to equip them with the necessary knowledge regarding their reproductive health, enabling them to at least make informed choices for themselves and their families. Providing young people, especially the adolescent group with sound foundation for healthy transition into adulthood, requires a multi sectoral integrated approach of education and health sector initiative to address the existing widening knowledge gap and fulfill the existing needs of the biggest cohort of Pakistan’s population.

Recognizing the importance of imparting the right knowledge and skills to deal with various life challenges impact the mental and physical wellbeing of young people and the choices they make in life, The Commission on Population and Development, in its Resolution 2012/1 on Adolescent and Youth calls upon governments to provide young people with evidence-based and comprehensive education on reproductive health, human rights, and gender equality. The rights to education and health are also embedded in many international agreements, including the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to the recommendations under the National Action Plan which has been approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI), provinces and central governments are mandated to incorporate key teachings of LSBE in curriculum.

UNFPA Pakistan, has adopted a comprehensive integrated approach to support the Government of Pakistan in fulfilling its national/international obligations and commitments towards working for the betterment and wellbeing of the youth of Pakistan. To facilitate the Government of Pakistan in fulfilling one of its key recommendations under the National Action Plan, to include key teachings of Life Skills Based Education in the Curriculum of schools, colleges and universities, UNFPA is supporting the School Education and Literacy Department – Sindh to review its existing manual/guideline on LSBE.

Supervisory Arrangements: The Individual will report directly to the Chief Advisor, Curriculum Wing-Sindh Education and Literacy Department (SELD) and indirectly to the Secretary SELD.

Expected Travel: Travel may be included to other parts of Sindh, as instructed by SELD.

Required Expertise, Qualifications and Experience including Language requirements:

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies
  

• At least 2-3-year experience of working with Federal/ Provincial government
  

• Previous work experience of coordination and advocacy is mandatory, while experience of facilitating development of LSBE curriculum is desirable.
  

• Should be fluent in English and National language, any Regional language proficiency is desirable.
  

• Should possess effective communications skills.

Duration: Consultation is for the tenure of 60 days only with no possibility of any extensions.

Location: Consultation is based in Karachi at, School Education and Literacy Department – Sindh