TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT PART I Title of Assignment Education consultant: Knowledge management, research and analysis on gender quality and UNGEI and secondary Section Basic Education and Gender Equality Location Home-based with 7 weeks in Eastern and Southern Africa: 6 weeks in Nairobi, Kenya and 1 week in Lilongwe, Malawi (for UNGEI regional workshop). The trip to Nairobi and Lilongwe will be in the same period. Duration 80 working days over a period of 5 and half months Start date From: 11 July 2016 From: 20 December 2016 Background and Justification UNICEF is undertaking significant work - and is thus seeking the support of an consultant that can bring knowledge management, research and analysis skills to support - in two areas: gender equality and the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI), and secondary. Gender equality and UNGEI Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is central to the mandate of UNICEF and its focus on equity. UNICEF Gender Action Plan (GAP) 2014-2017 specifies the organization s programmatic focus on girls secondary and outlines strategies to promote it, including partnership with United Nations Girls Education initiative (UNGEI). UNGEI is a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to improving the quality and availability of girls and contributing to the empowerment of girls and women through transformative. Established as a designated flagship of Education for All in 2000, UNGEI strives to support governments and the international community to deliver on the related international development goals. UNGEI works to achieve its goals through collective advocacy, coordinated action, knowledge sharing and capacity building at the global, regional and country levels. UNICEF is the lead agency for UNGEI, provides strategic leadership and hosts the Secretariat at HQ and Focal Points at the Regional Offices. In Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) Basic Education and Gender Equality (BEGE) section serves as UNGEI focal point for the region and promotes partnerships at the regional and country levels through support to UNICEF Country Offices in the region. UNGEI Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Partnership group is comprised of Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), UNICEF, Plan International and UNESCO. The group has been actively assisting the African Union s new Continental Education Strategy development and implementation. In order to assist the AU further, there is a need to develop common advocacy messages on girls and gender equality in in the region, and review existing initiatives and approaches that have been proven effective to further promote girls and gender equality in in the region. This information will be used by UNGEI and its partner organizations to assist the African Union, its member states and partners implementation of the Continental Education Strategy. UNGEI HQ has been working with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to develop an approach to gender responsive sector planning, building on increased attention to sector analysis work, and the GPE s 1
growing commitment to gender. UNGEI-GPE Guidance on Gender Responsive Sector Planning will be available by July 2016. Gender responsive sector planning is a core feature of the GPE Gender Equality Policy and Annual Action Plan which will be presented to the GPE Board. In the coming months, UNGEI and the GPE, with Plan International, will be launching regional workshops on gender responsive sector planning and the use of the Guidance. The first workshop is scheduled to take place in September/October in Eastern and Southern Africa. Countries who are renewing the Education Sector Plan (ESP) and/or the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Implementation Grant are best positioned to introduce a gender analysis/review and will be invited to attend. Secondary Education Building on progress in expanding access to primary globally, UNICEF has a priority to strengthen its support to countries in providing access to quality secondary, particularly for girls, and in relation to how secondary supports student preparedness for the labour market. UNICEF s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Priority on Education has a specific focus on improving access to and quality of Secondary Education. As the first step, UNICEF ESARO BEGE plans to review the experiences on secondary to inform UNICEF programming on in the region. Given these priority areas, UNICEF is looking for a consultant to undertake knowledge management, research and analysis activity on gender equality and UNGEI priorities and secondary in the region. Scope of Work 1) Goal and Objective: Under the supervision of an ESARO Education Specialist, the consultant will provide technical support to the ESARO BEGE section on knowledge management and research work on girls and gender equality in, to contribute to the UNGEI Eastern and Southern Africa partners effort on policy advocacy, and capacity building. The consultant will also work on knowledge generation on secondary. 2) Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: This assignment is part of the ESARO BEGE Rolling Work Plan 2015-2016, 240R/AO/09/001/005/006, specifically linked to the following three deliverables: - 02 Partnerships: UNGEI regional partnership with a joint work plan for evidence based advocacy and capacity development established; - 08. Evidence on secondary access and quality for adolescents generated and disseminated; - 15. Technical Assistance: 21 COs Education Programmes include interventions to improve quality and systems for monitoring learning outcomes. 3) Activities and Tasks. Indicative number of days. Inception Produce a detailed work plan. (Ref: a) 5 days - Discuss with the supervisor to gain a full understanding of the tasks expected. - Meet with ESARO BEGE staff, and discuss with the Head of UNGEI Secretariat, to have a good understanding about the UNICEF work in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR), and UNGEI work. 2
- Meet with UNGEI ESAR partners organizations to obtain their understanding and expectations for UNGEI. - Initiate the preparatory work for the tasks. - Develop a detailed work plan in a format agreed upon with the supervisor. Deliverable: Detailed work plan agreed with supervisor. Gender Equality and UNGEI Analysis of proven tools and methodologies for promoting and advancing girls and gender equality in. (Ref: d) 15 days - Undertake a desk review and consult relevant stakeholders on tools and methodologies that have been successful in promoting and advancing girls and gender equality in. - Analyse the information gathered and prepare a draft report, including a summary, for review. - Finalize the report based on feedback received. The report is for the UNGEI partners, African Union, AU member states, and other partners working to improve girls and gender equality. As such, the report has to be of a very high quality and accessible for a wide range of audiences. Deliverable: Report on tools and methodologies for girls and gender equality in, including an introduction and a summary UNGEI ESAR common advocacy messages on girls and gender equality in. (Ref: e) 10 days - Consult UNGEI regional partners (such as FAWE, UNESCO, Plan International) to understand the rationale and use of common messages. - Analyse the information on existing communication/advocacy messages and campaigns designed to promote girls and gender equality in (the information is being already gathered and available). - Consult with UNGEI HQ, UNICEF ESARO Communication section, and other relevant sections in UNICEF. - Develop key messages based on analysis of existing messages that have been gathered. This includes drafting, consulting partners and finalizing. Deliverables: (1) Analysis of advocacy messages on girls ; and (2) Common advocacy messages on Girls Education and Gender Equality in Education, in line with global UNGEI policy agenda, approved by UNGEI Eastern and Southern Africa regional partners. Analysis of the existing partnerships on girls and gender equality in in Eastern and Southern Africa countries. (Ref: b) 5 days - Process data and information on existing partnership platforms (groups, coordination groups, UNGEI, coalition, etc.) on girls and gender equality in at the country level in the region (Survey Monkey has been launched by ESARO BEGE, and responses are available), analyse the results and prepare a document based on the findings and analysis. - Analyse the responses and prepare a report to present the findings and analysis and includes a summary table. This is for sharing among the partners, including UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa COs. Deliverable: Report on findings and analysis on existing partnerships on girls and gender equality in in Eastern and Southern Africa countries, including a summary table. Technical support on the preparation, organization and follow up activities for a regional workshop on gender responsive sector planning to be organized by UNGEI-UNICEF- Plan International- Global Partnership for Education. (Ref: g) 10 days - Provide technical support to ESARO BEGE and UNGEI HQ for the preparation and organization of a regional workshop on gender responsive sector planning. 3
- Assist countries to develop action plans and follow up with countries on the implementation of the plan. Deliverable: Report on the workshop and follow-up to assist countries. Secondary Education with a gender and equity lens Undertake a survey on secondary in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA). 35 days - Draft the procedure for collecting and processing essential information (eg peer-reviewed publicly available relevant literature, grey literature, survey of COs) on the current characteristics 1 of secondary and related issues 2, future development plans for secondary, and UNICEF s role in support secondary in the 21 countries across ESA. (Ref. c) 3 days - Complete the data gathering and analysis exercise as per the procedure above, which will include, but not be limited to: Literature review of public and grey literature Surveying COs and others at international, regional and country levels Analysis matrices Draft report structure. (Ref. f) 20 days - Draft a report for review which should include: executive summary; literature review, methodology; tabulated country-by-country information on characteristics of secondary ; key trends emerging from the findings; and country case studies (Ref. h) 8 days - Finalize the report taking on feedback from the supervisor and UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Country Offices. (Ref: i) 4 days Deliverables: (1) Methodology report; (2) Data gathering and analysis outputs, including: bibliography of literature reviewed, survey tools developed, soft copy folder of grey literature reviewed, analysis matrices and documents developed, and draft report structure (3) draft report; and (4) final report. 4) Work relationships: The consultant will be supervised by an ESARO BEGE Education Specialist, under the overall guidance of the Regional Education Adviser. The consultant will have direct contact with UNGEI partners. The consultant will work closely with other sections, especially Gender and Communications sections in the RO. The consultant will interact with the Eastern and Southern Africa Country Offices Education staff. 5) Outputs/Deliverables: Table of deliverables with estimated timelines Deliverables Duration (Estimated # of days) Timeline By the end of (with estimated dates): Schedule of payment 1 Characteristics include, but are not limited to: institutional issues such as age of lower and upper secondary; policies and realities around cost of secondary schooling, and access to schooling (eg is there a need to pass exam or is it automatic?); links between secondary, TVET, and non-formal ; data on enrolment, transition, and survival rates; routes after secondary schooling; secondary curriculum and exam characteristics. 2 Other issues to consider: (i) the non-al factors that support throughput to and retention in secondary; and (ii) the experiences of girls especially in secondary (when they stay) both in terms of social experiences (ie are those schools safe and nurturing?) and academic routes takes (ie are girls and boys making gendered choices in upper secondary which are limiting their opportunities?). 4
a) Detailed work plan agreed with supervisor 5 days First week (15 th July) b) Report on findings and analysis on existing partnerships on girls and gender equality in in Eastern and Southern Africa countries, including a summary table c) Methodology report for review of secondary d) Report on proven tools and methodologies for girls and gender equality in, including an introduction and summary. e) UNGEI-ESAR Common Advocacy messages on girls f) Data gathering and analysis on secondary g) Report on the regional workshop (in Malawi) on gender responsive sector planning and follow-up to assist countries h) Draft report on review of secondary i) Final report on review of secondary j) Refining and finalising all deliverables to meet UNICEF quality standards 5 days Second week (22 nd July) 3 days Third week (29 th July) 10 days Fifth week (12 th Aug) 10 days Eighth week (2 nd Sept) 20 days Twelfth week (30 th Sept) 10 days Fourteenth week (14 th Oct) 8 days Sixteenth week (28 th Oct) 4 days Eighteenth (11 th Nov) N/A 80 days Before end of contract (20 th Dec) 1 2 3 4 5 Payment Schedule Payment will be made upon the satisfactory quality deliverables as scheduled as described in the previous section. Desired competencies, technical background and experience - Advanced university degree in Education, social sciences, and/or international development, and with knowledge of qualitative research methods - A minimum of 5 years of experience in research and analysis and providing technical advice to government, civil society organisations, and/or international development organizations in the area of - Knowledge and/or experience on UNGEI is an asset - Experience in report writing 5
- Excellent interpersonal and networking skills - Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required; - Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner - Excellent organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to contribute to a team - Experience in ESAR region would be a strong asset. Administrative issues The ESARO BEGE section will provide access to information and country level contacts and will be accessible via email or in person throughout the contract period. Progress meetings will take place virtually or face-toface at least once every month. The consultant will be expected to use their own office space and equipment, but will have access to hotdesk facilities at UNICEF ESARO s Nairobi offices when the role demands. The consultant will be expected to spend seven (7) weeks of the contract in Eastern and Southern Africa: 6 weeks in Nairobi, Kenya and 1 week in Lilongwe, Malawi. These 7 weeks are expected to be in one trip. For the remainder of the time the consultant can use their own office space and equipment. According to UNICEF rules, the consultant will be responsible for travel arrangements related to this Terms of Reference that includes travel and stay in Nairobi, Kenya and Lilongwe, Malawi. The cost will be included in the consultant s expenses as per the foreseen travel plan: Planned travel to Timeframe** Duration All-Inclusive Travel Cost* (Quote in US$) Return Ticket Between Nairobi, Kenya and Home Return ticket Nairobi- Lilongwe- Nairobi End September to early November October 43 days (6 weeks and 1 day) 6 days Total travel cost * All-inclusive travel cost should cover: visa fees, daily per-diem/living expenses, round-trip airfare (economy), transfers, and vaccinations ** Actual dates are to be confirmed on agreement of inception report. The consultant will be expected to use their own IT equipment (laptop, cell-phone etc), where operating communication costs long distance calls, internet if any should be part of the overall quoted fee (no reimbursement will be applied). Conditions As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary. The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts. 6
UNICEF reserves all copyrights on material, including data analysis, documents, photographs and graphic designs. No data or findings can be published without the permission of UNICEF and any publications arising from the work will be co-authored with UNICEF staff. The use of UNICEF material for any purpose, including repackaging in hard copy or compilation for CD-ROM or any other electronic media, is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. The unauthorized use of the UNICEF name and logo is against international law and is expressly forbidden. Risks The consultant is expected to produce several reports based on information and feedback to be gathered from partners and Country Offices. There is a risk that responses are very limited and/or slow, which will affect the work of the consultant. In order to manage the risk, the BEGE will send a message when soliciting information and feedback and closely follow up to receive timely response, so that the consultant can deliver all the deliverables in time. The Gender Analysis Tool is expected to be finalised by July 2016; however, there is a risk that the Tool is not finalised as planned and thus the planned workshop might have to be postponed. In addition, the UNGEI HQ is responsible for mobilizing financial resources to cover the costs related to the workshop; however, there is a risk of funding shortage. Accessing information on secondary may be difficult as the consultant will not be travelling to the 21 ESARO countries. To mitigate the risk, the consultant will be supported to have telephone, skype and email access to secondary focal point in all 21 countries. How to Apply Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/p11.doc), quoting the all-inclusive fee for the whole consultancy and the consultancy reference ESARO/SSA/BEGE/2016- Gender on or before 05 July 2016 to: The Human Resources Manager UNICEF Kenya Country Office Email address: kenhrvacanciese@unicef.org Applications submitted without an all-inclusive fee/ rate (fee, travel and living expenses) will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. 7