Design and Develop a Holistic Education Model for Adolescents

Organizational Context

Universal Versatile Society (UVS) is a non-governmental organization established in 2005, accredited by UNEP and UNCCD with ECOSOC Special Consultative Status. UVS operates in education, mental health, digital literacy, and rural development across Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India. Its mission is to connect donors with community projects, coordinate resources, and promote sustainable development aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The organization focuses on transforming communities through advocacy, eco-village initiatives, farmer mental health support, regenerative agriculture, and empowering women.

Job Purpose

This assignment seeks to develop a holistic, evidence-based, and scalable education model for adolescents (11-18 years) in India, addressing critical challenges such as academic pressure, poor mental health, limited career awareness, digital addiction, and lack of life skills. The goal is to transform students into emotionally resilient, socially responsible, and future-ready global citizens, in alignment with SDG 4. The volunteer's contribution will be vital in designing this structured framework, which will be piloted in Washim district and potentially expanded. The role involves virtual collaboration with UVS's experienced on-ground team, focusing on project development and management to create a comprehensive program for adolescent development.

Responsibilities

The assignment involves developing a comprehensive 1-year holistic education framework for adolescents (11-18 years) aligned with SDG 4. Key responsibilities include defining learning outcomes, competencies, and curriculum flow, and integrating inputs from a four-person volunteer team into a cohesive program model. Specific tasks for different roles include designing modules on learning motivation, emotional awareness, and classroom engagement; developing non-clinical support strategies for academic stress and peer pressure; creating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) activities; and suggesting practical classroom engagement strategies. Other responsibilities involve designing project-based and activity-based learning modules, developing strategies to reduce mobile dependency, creating monthly engagement activities focused on community service, environment, teamwork, and leadership, and preparing an annual student engagement plan. Additionally, responsibilities include designing simple tools for interest identification, aptitude mapping, and basic IQ/EQ understanding; developing student profiling templates for personalized development; creating life skills modules on communication and decision-making; and developing student progress tracking formats.

Work Experience

While specific years of experience are not detailed, candidates are expected to have a background in relevant fields such as Education, Psychology, Child Development, Youth Development, or Social Work. Experience in curriculum development, programme design, SEL, life skills education, inclusive education, adolescent well-being, project-based learning, or student assessment tools is desirable, depending on the specific volunteer role. Experience working with underserved communities or in rural education settings is also considered beneficial.

Skills

Required skills include strong research, writing, and communication abilities in English. Candidates must be able to work independently within a remote team environment. A keen interest in education, adolescent development, and social impact is essential. Specific roles may require expertise in curriculum development, programme design, instructional planning, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), life skills education, inclusive education, adolescent well-being programmes, project-based learning, experiential learning, youth engagement, community-based education, student assessment tools, or student development planning.

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