The Position:

This consultancy aims to analyze the integrated curriculums for grades 6, 7, 8, and 9 developed by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh using the Sexuality Education Review and Assessment Tools (SERAT). SERAT, an Excel-based tool, assists countries in gathering data and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of their sexuality education programs at primary and secondary school levels.

Its objectives include:

1. Reviewing school-based Life Skills Education programs based on international evidence and best practices. Identifying any existing gaps through evidence collection.
2. Facilitating evidence-informed discussions on school curricula and potential supplementary materials. 

The NCTB, being the sole government organization responsible for developing curricula, teachers’ guides, and learning resources for general and madrasah education in Bangladesh, began revising the curriculum in 2019. The GEMS curriculum, implemented within the Generation Breakthrough Project, served as the primary source alongside other key resources. By 2023, the new curriculum for grades 6, 7, 8, and 9 had been rolled out to approximately 33,000 schools and madrasas across the country. This ongoing process will extend to grades 10 to 12, with the new curriculum expected to be developed and implemented in schools by the end of 2026, as per the NCTB's curriculum revision plan. Annual reviews of the newly introduced curriculum will aim to make it more suitable for Bangladesh's student population.

Given the absence of a standalone, school-based curriculum for health and Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Bangladesh, this consultancy aims to identify the contents on CSE in various curriculum materials, teaching guides, and student books. It seeks to confirm the existing content and pinpoint any gaps in the core curriculum. This will be a participatory process involving relevant stakeholders in the review and validation stages. The findings from this review will aid UNFPA in identifying areas for engagement with the curriculum board and determining content that should be included in supplementary teaching guides. It will also highlight contents suitable for inclusion in both digital and in-person out of school LSE/CSE education programs in Bangladesh.

Reference documents are:
https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-
pdf/The%20journey%20towards%20comprehensive%20sexuality%20ed
ucation%20-%20Global%20status%20report.pdf
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260770

The consultant will work under the direct guidance of and will also be supported by the Programme Analyst - Adolescents and Youth to carry out the activities mentioned above.

Please apply and find more information on the vacancy here.

The deadline for the application is 29 December 2023.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further consideration. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.