Consultant: Assessing policies and practices under the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC-B) program

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MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Terms of Reference (TORs)

Assessing policies and practices under the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC-B) program (targeting, exclusion of grade repeaters and over-age children, etc.)

1. Background Information

Although Lesotho has achieved significant results in improving access to junior secondary education over the last five years, student retention across basic education remains a big challenge for the sector with many students dropping out of school before completing primary and/or secondary education. The dropout rate across primary grades is particularly high among boys and in rural parts of the country. Nationally, 9 out of 10 girls of the relevant age group access the last grade of primary education (Grade 7), compared to 2 out of 3 boys, which points to low primary completion rate for boys.

2. Background of the Assignment

OVC-B also builds on the free primary education to ensure that those children who are vulnerable can continue with their education. There has been high dropout rate related to boys and probably the program should be intentional in targeting rural boys or boys in general but also not overlooking issues that affect the girl child.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of the consultancy is to assess policies and practices under the OVC-B program and propose changes for effective management of the program but mainly to promote access to school and school retention of boys and girls. Some of the policies to be looked at are policies on targeting, exclusion of grade repeaters, over-age children and case management systems or grievance and redress mechanism.

4. Scope of Work

The consultancy is expected to provide firm recommendations on improving the OVC-B policies, practices and thereby decreasing school dropout and ensuring that children are retained in schools until they finish at least secondary education. Recommendations from the study will be used by the Government to improve OVC-B programme over a period of 6 months.

5. Consultant’s Qualifications

The consultant should have the following credentials:

  • A recognized Master’s degree in education Finance/Economics, Development Finance/Economics, Public Policy or any other relevant qualification.
  • A PhD in any of the above specializations will be an added advantage.
  • He/she should have conducted a successful similar assignment in the Developing Countries preferably in Africa.
  • Minimum 10 years of work experience/consultancy work in education financing development and implementation.
  • Solid experience in change management will be an added advantage.

6. Submission of Applications

The Principal Secretary

Ministry of Social Development

P/Bag A222

Maseru

Lesotho

Interested candidates shall submit their applications, Educational Certificates and transcripts, Curriculum Vitae with two names of the referees with their contact de details on or before 21 April 2023 during working hours to the following address: [email protected]

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