General Summary/Background

The USAID/Vietnam Partnership for Higher Education Reform II (PHER-II), implemented by Chemonics International, is seeking a Vietnamese expert in teaching methods and pedagogical practices in higher education for a short-term consultancy. This assignment will be conducted in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE) Education Futures Lab and aims to propose Vietnamappropriate methodologies for assessing pedagogy and teaching methods to maximize student engagement at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM).

PHER-II seeks to modernize higher education institutions in Vietnam by focusing on key areas, including academic excellence and the improvement of teaching and learning practices. Enhancing teaching methods to increase student engagement is crucial for aligning with international best practices and achieving world-class university status.

Scope of Work for Consultant

Level of Effort: Up to 20 days

Objective:

The objective of this consultancy is to collaborate with an international expert from ACE to develop a methodology for assessing teaching methods at VNU-HCM that is appropriate for the Vietnamese context with the objective of increasing student engagement. The consultant will provide insights into current practices, challenges, and key obstacles within Vietnamese higher education. Over a period of up to 20 days, the Vietnamese consultant will work with ACE’s expert to:

Conduct a contextual analysis of current teaching practices at VNU-HCM: Review and analyze existing teaching methods, pedagogical practices, and challenges in engaging students.
Collaborate on developing an assessment framework based on international best practices, adapted to the Vietnamese context: Adapt international best practices for assessing teaching methods to the Vietnamese context.
Provide implementation guidelines to support the adoption of the proposed methodologies at VNU-HCM.

Key Tasks and Outputs

Task 1: Contextual Analysis of Current Teaching Practices

Activities:
- Conduct a thorough review of current teaching methods and pedagogical practices at VNU-HCM. o Identify key obstacles and challenges affecting student engagement and effective teaching.
- Collect data through interviews, surveys, or focus groups with faculty members, students, and other stakeholders.
- Analyze the implementation challenges and barriers within the Vietnamese higher education system.
Outputs:
- A detailed section in the report providing a contextual analysis of current Vietnamese teaching practices.
- Documentation of challenges and barriers to effective teaching and student engagement.
- Summary of data collected from stakeholders.

Task 2: Collaboration on Developing the Assessment Framework

Activities:
- Collaborate with the international consultant to share insights from the contextual analysis.
- Assist in collecting and analyzing international best practices in teaching assessment methodologies, focusing on student engagement. o Participate in remote meetings with ACE experts and VNU-HCM stakeholders to validate findings and ensure local appropriateness.
- Aid in adapting international methodologies to fit Vietnamese cultural and educational contexts.
Outputs:
- Contributions to an assessment framework that includes teaching evaluation methodologies and student engagement metrics.
- Relevant tools and templates adapted for use at VNU-HCM.
- Documentation of the collaborative process and adaptations made.

Task 3: Development of Implementation Guidelines

Activities:
- Work with the international consultant to develop practical implementation guidelines for the proposed assessment framework.
- Provide recommendations on strategies for effective adoption of the new methodologies at VNU-HCM. o Identify any training or capacity-building needs for faculty and staff.

Outputs:
- A set of implementation guidelines included in the final report.
- Recommendations for supporting the adoption and integration of new teaching assessment methods.
- Suggestions for capacity-building initiatives.

Final Deliverables

Comprehensive Report:
- An assessment framework comprising teaching evaluation methodologies, student engagement metrics, and relevant tools and templates.
- A contextual analysis including a review of current Vietnamese teaching practices, implementation challenges, and barriers.
- Implementation guidelines to support the adoption of the proposed methodologies at VNU-HCM.

Presentation: A PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings, recommendations, and the proposed assessment framework for dissemination to VNU-HCM stakeholders.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Advanced degree (master’s or higher) in Education, Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in higher education teaching and pedagogy in Vietnam.
Proven experience in assessing teaching practices and developing evaluation methodologies.
Familiarity with international best practices in teaching methods and student engagement.
Experience collaborating with international experts is an advantage.
Strong understanding of the Vietnamese higher education system and cultural context.
Excellent analytical and research skills.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Vietnamese and English (both written and spoken).
Ability to work collaboratively and adapt to different working styles.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
High level of professionalism and integrity.
Demonstrated commitment to improving teaching and learning practices.
Flexibility and adaptability to work within tight deadlines.
Good command of English language.

Application Instructions

Only Vietnamese citizens are eligible for this position.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their Cover letter and CV to [email protected] with the subject line: “Consultant to Support Teaching Methods Assessment – [Your name].”
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Chemonics prioritizes the protection of your personal data.
The deadline for applications is 04 December 2024

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.