Expert in Textbook Development

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ( MOES-IC-NIO-UIED-0 1 - UIED Expert in Textbook Development) UKRAINE Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program Grant No. TF0C5794 Assignment Title: UIED Expert in Textbook Development Reference No . MOES-IC-NIO-UIED-01 Ukraine and World bank have signed the agreements for the Program "Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program" (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation). LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science's (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. The objectives of the Operation are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. The UIED Expert in Textbook Development will provide expert support in the development of evidence-based textbook and educational policy frameworks to strengthen Ukraine's capacity to deliver quality education during wartime and recovery. The role will focus on modernization of textbook development and related state policies, piloting and evaluation of textbook innovations, and coordination of related national initiatives under the NUS reform. The Consultant will be contracted through competitive selection in line with Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Feb 2025. The detailed Terms of Reference and submission modalities for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expression of Interest. MOES now invites qualified interested persons to submit their expression of interest in Ukrainian and English as provided in the Terms of reference. The deadline for submission of applications is 11:00 am Kyiv time June 6, 2025. TERMS OF REFERENCE for Consulting Services (Individual Consultant) UIED Expert in Textbook Development Contract No. LEARN-IC-NIO-UIED-01 Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need in Ukraine Program URTF Grant No. TF0C5794 BACKGROUND Ukraine and World Bank have signed the agreements for the Program "Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine Program" (hereinafter referred to as the LEARN or Operation). The Operation total financing is US$415 million using a combination of the World Bank's financial instruments: Program-for-Results (PforR) complemented by Investment Project Financing (IPF). The Program-for-Results (PforR) is implemented through a US$235 million credit provided by Bank resources, supported by credit enhancement from the Advancing Needed Credit Enhancement for Ukraine (ADVANCE Ukraine) Trust Fund, which is backed by the Government of Japan. This is formalized under the Financing Agreement between Ukraine and the International Development Association for the Program (CREDIT NUMBER 7626-UA). An additional US$150 million is provided under the Special Program for Ukraine and Moldova Recovery (SPUR) of the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Facility, as outlined in the Loan Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the Program (LOAN NUMBER 9721-UA). Furthermore, US$30 million in Investment Project Financing (IPF) is secured under the Grant Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, acting as the administrator of the Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform Multi-Donor Trust Fund (URTF GRANT NUMBER TF0C5794). Hereinafter, the portion of the Operation financed through the PforR will be referred to as the Program, and the portion financed through the IPF will be referred to as the Project. LEARN was developed to address critical challenges and provide essential support to the education sector, aligning with the Ministry of Education and Science's (MoES) Strategic Action Plan. The Operation will focus on supporting the Strategic Action Plan Priority 2: School education and the New Ukrainian School (NUS). The continuation of the NUS reform is a key priority of the MoES. The objectives of the Operation are to (i) improve teaching and learning conditions; and (ii) strengthen management capacity of the education system. For this program, "teaching and learning conditions" refer to three critical factors of education service delivery: i. safety, including shelters as a pre-condition for schools to open for in-person learning and free and inclusive school bus transportation for students living further distances from schools; ii. learning materials, especially updated textbooks and age-appropriate learning materials in line with the NUS model; and iii. teachers trained on NUS standards, principles, and the use of the updated learning materials. Meanwhile, "management capacity of the education system" refers to institutional capabilities to plan, allocate, and monitor resources based on robust data at the student and school levels. The NUS Implementation Office (NIO) will be established by the Ministry as an advisory and consultative body. The NIO's primary purpose is to support and implement the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform by providing expert guidance, strategic oversight, and coordination of reform initiatives across Ukraine. OBJECTIVE The UIED Expert in Textbook Development will provide expert support in the development of evidence-based textbook and educational policy frameworks to strengthen Ukraine's capacity to deliver quality education during wartime and recovery. The role will focus on modernization of textbook development and related state policies, piloting and evaluation of textbook innovations, and coordination of related national initiatives under the NUS reform. SCOPE OF SERVICES The Consultant shall provide the following services, including but not limited to: Provide expert input on the revision and modernization of textbook development policies in coordination with UIED, NIO, and MoES. Coord