Request for EOIs: Capacity Building of State Experts on Non-Discrimination in Educational Materials (Ukraine)

Deadline: 11-Jan-2026

UNICEF is seeking a qualified partner organization to deliver large-scale training and capacity-building on non-discrimination in educational content for the Ukrainian Institute of Education Development (UIED) in Kyiv, Ukraine. The project will train 600 subject experts and methodologists to assess textbooks and curricula using inclusive, gender-sensitive, and rights-based standards aligned with international and European frameworks. The initiative also supports pilot reviews and the development of internal policies to institutionalize non-discrimination expertise across Ukraine’s education system.

Overview of the Opportunity

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting proposals from partner organizations to design and deliver a comprehensive training and capacity-building programme focused on integrating non-discrimination principles into educational content in Ukraine.

The initiative will be implemented in Kyiv in collaboration with the Ukrainian Institute of Education Development (UIED). Its objective is to strengthen institutional capacity to ensure that textbooks, curricula, and learning materials are inclusive, equitable, accessible, and free from bias or discrimination.

Institutional Context: Ukrainian Institute of Education Development (UIED)

UIED is responsible for expert review and methodological support related to educational materials in Ukraine.

This project targets UIED subject experts and methodologists who assess textbooks and curricula, positioning them as key actors in embedding non-discrimination standards across the education system.

Project Goal and Strategic Purpose

The overarching goal is to institutionalize non-discrimination expertise within UIED.

This will be achieved by:

• Building foundational and applied knowledge among experts

• Standardizing methodologies for non-discrimination review

• Embedding inclusive principles into internal policies and procedures

• Aligning educational content review with international best practices

Scale and Target Group

The project will train a total of:

• 600 UIED subject experts and methodologists

Participants will engage in a practice-oriented training cycle designed to move beyond theory and enable real-world application during textbook and curriculum reviews.

Core Training Focus Areas

Non-Discrimination and Equality Principles

Training will cover:

• Equality, equity, and non-discrimination concepts

• International and European legal frameworks

• Human rights–based approaches in education

Inclusive Language, Representation, and Accessibility

Key topics include:

• Inclusive and gender-sensitive language

• Representation of diverse social groups

• Avoidance of harmful stereotypes and bias

• Accessibility and universal design principles

Gender Equality and Stereotype Prevention

Participants will learn to:

• Identify gender bias in educational content

• Promote balanced and respectful representation

• Apply gender-responsive review methodologies

Disability Inclusion and Universal Design

Training will address:

• Disability-inclusive education standards

• Reasonable accommodation and accessibility

• Universal design for learning in textbooks and curricula

Methodological Support and Mentoring

UIED methodologists will participate fully in all training components.

They will be equipped to:

• Mentor subject experts during reviews

• Provide quality assurance and feedback

• Promote consistency, ethics, and professionalism

• Sustain institutional knowledge beyond the project period

This ensures long-term internal capacity and reduces reliance on external expertise.

Practical Application: Pilot Non-Discrimination Expertise

A key component of the assignment is hands-on support during pilot review exercises.

The selected organization will:

• Support experts in applying non-discrimination review tools

• Provide feedback on draft expert opinions

• Help identify gaps in representation and discriminatory elements

• Refine methodologies based on real-case analysis

This phase is critical for translating training into standardized practice.

Development of Internal Policies and Guidance

The partner organization will support UIED in developing institutional documentation, including:

• Internal policies and regulations on non-discrimination expertise

• Standard operating procedures for content review

• A practical handbook for experts and methodologists

These outputs will embed training content and pilot lessons into operational guidance used across UIED.

Who Is This Opportunity For?

This opportunity is suited to organizations with expertise in:

• Human rights and non-discrimination

• Inclusive and gender-responsive education

• Curriculum and textbook analysis

• Adult learning and professional training

• Policy development and institutional capacity-building

Applicants must demonstrate experience with large-scale training and applied methodological support.

Why This Project Matters

This UNICEF-supported initiative is strategically important because it:

• Strengthens rights-based education reform in Ukraine

• Improves the quality and inclusiveness of textbooks and curricula

• Reduces bias, stereotypes, and exclusion in learning materials

• Aligns national education review processes with international standards

• Builds sustainable institutional capacity within UIED

By institutionalizing non-discrimination expertise, the project supports long-term systemic change.

How the Assignment Works

1. Design and deliver a structured, practice-oriented training programme

2. Train 600 UIED experts and methodologists on non-discrimination standards

3. Provide mentoring and quality assurance support

4. Support pilot non-discrimination reviews of educational content

5. Develop internal policies, regulations, and a practical handbook

6. Ensure alignment with international and European best practices

Common Implementation Risks to Avoid

• Overemphasis on theory without practical application

• Insufficient integration of methodologists into training

• Lack of standardized tools for review consistency

• Failure to translate training into institutional policy

• Limited follow-up during pilot review exercises

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main objective of this UNICEF assignment?

The objective is to integrate non-discrimination principles into educational content review by building UIED’s institutional capacity through training, mentoring, and policy development.

Who will be trained under this project?

A total of 600 UIED subject experts and methodologists based in Kyiv.

What topics will the training cover?

Equality and non-discrimination, inclusive language, gender equality, disability inclusion, universal design, bias identification, and practical review methodologies.

What role do UIED methodologists play?

Methodologists will mentor experts, ensure quality and consistency, and sustain non-discrimination standards within UIED.

Does the project include practical application?

Yes. The project includes hands-on support during pilot non-discrimination expertise exercises.

Will the project produce institutional guidance?

Yes. Internal policies, regulations, and a practical handbook will be developed to institutionalize standards.

Is this a training-only assignment?

No. It combines training, mentoring, pilot application, and policy development for long-term impact.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s call for a partner organization to support non-discrimination training in Ukraine represents a high-impact opportunity to influence national education quality and equity. By equipping UIED experts and methodologists with applied skills, standardized tools, and institutional guidance, the project ensures that inclusive, rights-based principles are consistently embedded in educational content for years to come.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.