Education Specialist

Terms of Reference

Education Specialist

 1. General background

The United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT) provides technical assistance to the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The ECCC has jurisdiction to bring to trial senior leaders of Democratic Kampuchea and those who were most responsible for the crimes and serious violations of Cambodian penal law, international humanitarian law and custom that were committed during the period from 17 April 1975 to 6 January 1979.

During its judicial phase, which lasted from 2007 and 2022, the ECCC made significant findings regarding accountability for the atrocities perpetrated in Cambodia during the period April 1975 to January 1979, also known as the “Democratic Kampuchea regime”, “Khmer Rouge regime”, or “Pol Pot regime”. For more information on the ECCC’s judicial phase and its findings, please refer to the Guide to the ECCC.

General knowledge about Khmer Rouge crimes, their widespread nature, and responsibility for the atrocities remain low in Cambodia today. Primary education about this period is limited and largely sanitized, uninformed or susceptible to social or political narratives.

Within its residual functions of, inter alia, disseminating information to the public and making its archives as widely accessible as possible, the ECCC endeavours to develop  learning resources for primary and lower secondary school children and supporting teaching materials to increase awareness about Cambodia’s reckoning with past crimes. Such learning must be appropriately tailored to its target audiences, supported by established pedagogical methodologies and mental health principles, and sensitive to the needs of its recipients, including young learners and educators of all ages.

These new resources and supporting teaching materials are expected to draw on the findings of the ECCC and the ECCC’s Archive, including its Judgments and other legal documents. The new resources should be engaging and easily disseminable in Cambodia, but need not be static. For example, while learning materials may take the form of traditional media such as learning booklet or magazines (see e.g., the Children’s Guide to the ECCC), other media will be considered such as educational apps, games, interactive features, presentations or other formats which incorporate pedagogical and sensitivity principles.

2. Outputs

The expected outputs of the consultancy are as follows:

1. In close consultation with UNAKRT/ECCC and other stakeholders, develop learning resources for primary and lower secondary[1] school children which explain (1) the types of crimes committed between 1975 and 1979 and the policies pursuant to which they were implemented, (2) criminal responsibility for those crimes based on the findings of the ECCC, and (3) the process of holding these persons responsible before the ECCC.
2. Develop accompanying simple-to-understand teaching resources or modules for educators, to guide instructors on the content and its delivery (including activities and Q&A).

 It is expected that the consultant will draft and finalize the content for the learning resources and teaching guide. Depending on the medium which is endorsed, additional technical support may be available to integrate the content into its final form (e.g., expertise in graphic design, programming, etc).

While the consultant will be expected to independently navigate the ECCC’s materials and Archive, UNAKRT/ECCC will support the consultant to assist in identifying and synthesizing relevant materials.

3. Timeframe and outputs

The expected timeframe for the completion of work is four (4) calendar months, starting ASAP in 2024 (subject to funds).

4. Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.