Consultancy to conduct a research for: SDG 4 Target 4.2 Tracking

169

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A RESEARCH FOR: SDG 4 TARGET 4.2 TRACKING
Type: Consultancy
Duration: estimated 20 days
Duty station: Virtual

Context
Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all member states of the United Nations in 2015, describe a universal agenda that applies to and must be implemented by all countries. Sound metrics and data are critical for turning the SDGs into practical tools for being aware of where a country is and to trigger adaptive management to meet the agreed targets. The global community is at a critical moment in its pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels to pre-COVID pandemic period.

Basic literacy skills across the world have improved tremendously, yet bolder efforts are needed to achieve universal education goals for all but the World Bank and UNESCO June 2022 document show serious double crisis of learning poverty and waning financial support for SDG4. More than a year into the global pandemic, millions of lives have been lost, the human and economic toll has been unprecedented, and recovery efforts so far have been uneven, inequitable and insufficiently geared towards achieving sustainable development. The current crisis is threatening decades of development gains as obtaining a quality education underpins a range of fundamental development drivers.

There is need to properly track SDG 4 and specifically target 4.2 progress in the region in order for gaps to be identified which will be the basis for advocacy towards channelling of resources to achieve the goals. Currently players in the region need a contextualized tool which can be used to track SDG progress at both national and regional levels. Zimbabwe Network of Early Childhood Development Actors (ZINECDA) in partnership with Network of Early Childhood Development Coalition of Lesotho (NECDOL), and the Early Childhood Development Coalition of Malawi are seeking the services of a consultant to conduct a research on the status of SDG4 target 4.2 (By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education) and produce a status report with a tracking tool, covering 6 countries (Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zambia and Mozambique).

  1. Objectives and purpose of the research
    I. To establish the status of SDG 4.2 implementation in six Southern Africa countries namely Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia, Eswatini and Mozambique
    II. Track legislation, policies, information systems adequacy, accuracy and timeliness implemented in support of SDG4 target 4.2 achievement.
    III. To gather and suggest how organised information will be used for influencing informed policy formulation, implementation and oversight related to SDG 4.2 target
    IV. To produce a SDG4.2 target tracking tool which automatically calculates indicators when captured data is inputted to track progress from 2015 up to 2030
    V. To inform and refine project advocacy strategies with reference to the project interventions and how this will influence stronger and vibrant early child development and education (ECDE) in Southern Africa in the context of SDG 4.2 target.
  2. Expected deliverables
    I. Inception report and work plan, including methodology, a sampling strategy, data collection tools and analysis plan. The inception report will demonstrate clearly how the data collection plan and tools will gather data that address the SDG 4.2 target thematic indicators within the nurturing care framework.
    II. 1 transnational and 6 national SDG4.2 target status reports for countries in the TRANAC countries
    III. Research findings, reports and a validation meeting for dissemination.
    IV. A transnational SDG 4.2 target tracking tool linked to country tools which tracks progress up to 2030 and has a dashboard of main indicators
    V. Dataset for the study.
  3. Scope of Work
    Under the direct supervision of the ZINECDA management team, the consultant will design, conduct the research, and produce country and integrated reports targeting 6 countries in the consortium namely Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zambia and Mozambique.
  4. Methodology
    The consultant will propose specific methodology which will be used as criteria for selection.
    The methodology should also ensure that data collected can be communicated, explained and contextualized. The methodology must include participation of the national TRANAC monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning staff as part of capacity building.
  5. Management and supervision of the assignment
    The assignment will be constantly monitored by the TRANAC Lead through the Regional Management Unit team and MEAL Lead basing on milestones derived from the stated deliverables and the objectives. The regional management team will be in constant communication with the consultant to track progress made on each stage, until the completion of the task. Furthermore, the methods and tools for collecting data will be constantly reviewed in order to give room to refinement and adjustment if necessary.
  6. Equipment
    The consultant should state the equipment and support needed from the organisation in the application. Limitations in the procurement and use of equipment and services will be discussed with the winning team.
  7. Timelines
    The research is expected to take a maximum of 20 days.
  8. Application Process
    We invite interested researchers or companies to submit the following application documents:
    I. An expression of interest of no more than 10 pages, briefly addressing track record relevant to the assessment and the degree to which the consultant(s) meet(s) the selection criteria. If a team of consultants is proposed, outline the anticipated roles of each team member.
    II. Technical proposal for the evaluation study including proposed methodology and activities schedule/work plan, with timeframe. The proposal must also clearly outline how the TRANAC project partners will be involved in the process.
    III. CV(s) of applicant(s)
    IV. Financial proposal (separating consultant day rates and anticipated data collection costs)
    V. Example(s) of previous similar works
    VI. Reference from previous employer and/or client
  9. Qualifications
    The desired candidate(s) should have at least a postgraduate qualification in M&E or Statistics, and Social Sciences or Education with ECD an added advantage. S/He should also have at least 10 years of working experience in M&E for ECDE or education projects including research and data management responsibilities. Experience of working in SADC countries will an added advantage.

Application submission address and deadline
All applications should be sent to the Procurement team by the 21st of July 2022 on the following email address: [email protected]

Comments

Selibeng.com
Whether you are looking for your first job, a better job or just want to manage the direction of your career, explore educational opportunities, and/or pursue entrepreneurship, Selibeng.com offers the resources you need to make it happen.