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Background and Justification
Outline the context of the assignment.Explain briefly/concisely which areas the section work the consultancy will support.Describe the history of the consultancy request, the activities to date, already existing data, how the consultancy fits into the context of the sections work.Provide the AWP reference as appropriate.
Explain why a consultancy is required and address this question.The justification should be explicit that the functions being assigned to a consultant are not staff functions of regular UNICEF staff.
Over the last year, UNICEF Headquarters, in consultation with its regional offices, developed a Pre-Primary Sub-Sector Conceptual Framework to support countries in strengthening their pre-primary sub-sectors. The framework suggests that an effective pre-primary education sub-sector requires strong national policies, coordination and monitoring frameworks, relevant financial trade-offs, ministerial leadership, and public demand for early education services. Investment and support in five key action areas are crucial to build a coherent sub-sector that can deliver quality services at scale, namely:
(1) planning,
(2)curriculum,
(3)workforce,
(4) family and community engagement, and
(5) quality assurance.
UNICEF is committed to elevating the priority and status of pre-primary education by ensuring that pre-primary education is systematically integrated in Education Sector Planning processes. As part of these efforts, UNICEF Education Section was recently awarded a Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant to support the development and piloting of a comprehensive approach/toolkit to in-country capacity development for pre-primary education in a small number of countries (Better Early Learning and Development at Scale Initiative).This will involve piloting a capacity development process that consolidates existing or new effective approaches, tools and models for integrating pre-primary education meaningfully into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles. The work aims to explore and resolve common planning and implementation challenges hampering the pre-primary sub-sector. Lesotho was selected as one of the pilot countries of the BELDS initiative.
The consultancy aims to support Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in building an understanding of the key elements of a coherent pre-primary sub-sector and integrating pre-primary education into the country Education Sector Plan (ESP).As part of this overall objective, the consultancy will support the MoET with the activities under the BELDS Initiative. Lesotho is in the process of updating its Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and Action Plan (2020-2025), with the support of the World Bank.There is thus an opportunity under BELDS to ensure that a targeted process is developed for integrating early childhood education into the ESP, complemented with capacity building at the national and sub-national levels.
The MoET is also currently updating their Education Management Information System (EMIS) and developing an EMIS roadmap and implementation plan. This is a significant opportunity to ensure that ECE monitoring is strengthened across Lesotho.
The consultancy will involve overall technical support to the MoET with integrating pre-primary education into ESP processes, as well as the overall coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities under BELDS which will include support the incorporation of pre-primary into the EMIS implementation plan.
Technical assistance on integration of ECE into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles will include developing a workplan with specific goals and activities under the BELDS initiative, focusing on addressing capacity gaps across system levels in terms of effective planning and implementation of ECE, participation at cross-country peer learning and mentorship events (ex. webinars, workshops, cross-country visits) and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of current ECE activities in Lesotho. It is to be noted that the consultancy addresses the overarching aim of supporting the MoET with strengthening the pre-primary sub-sector and ensuring that pre-primary education is well reflected in national ESP processes, with BELDS activities being an important piece under this broader objective.
Scope of Work
Goal and Objective: The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the MoET in Lesotho on integrating pre-primary education into ESP processes, as well as the overall coordination, of planning, implementation, documentation, monitoring and reporting of the activities under BELDS.The consultancy also aims to support MoET on improving monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance of the early learning and school readiness through their education management information systems and processes.
The consultant will work in collaboration with the MoET and other key stakeholders on the following key tasks:
Technical guidance to MoET on integrating ECCE into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles, including supporting the activities under BELDS:
Design and development of ECE plan with the broader ESSP and Action Plan;
Develop a capacity building plan to strengthen the capacity in ECE at national and sub-national levels;
Overall coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of the BELDS activities;
Coordinate with and support UNICEF HQ with documenting Lesotho process and experience under BELDS, with the view of developing a case study;
Technical inputs and participation at peer-to-peer events and sharing of experiences (workshop/webinars, etc.)
Participation in technical consultation meetings, advocacy and policy dialogue, including participation in the IECCD multisectoral coordination meetings and Local Education Group Meetings;
Support the MoET in ensuring the monitoring and evaluation framework and budget of the overall ESP addresses the ECE plan adequately
Ensure that ECE is effectively incorporated into the EMIS implementation plan
Liase with UNICEF Lesotho colleagues, UNICEF Regional Office (Eastern and Southern Africa), and UNICEF HQ, regularly and as necessary to ensure the effective implementation of BELDS activities.
Support to the UNICEF ECD Specialist in roll out of the #EarlyMomentsMatter Campaign at national and sub national levels
Other duties upon request and upon mutual agreement related to consultancy objectives.
Work relationships:The consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF Chief of Basic Education and Adolescent Development but will be working closely with the UNICEF ECD Specialist and the MoET, particularly the Director of Planning and the Head of the ECCD Unit.
Outputs/Deliverables:
Ref
Key Tasks
Deliverables
Timeline
1
Inception report outlining a work plan and timeline for implementation of BELDS activities, informed by inception workshop, TOR and discussion with the UNICEF Country office and MOET
Inception report
May 2019
2
Work with MoET in identifying capacity gaps in ECE and technical assistance needs across the system and levels of government
Capacity development plan (with clear objectives, activities, timelines and associated costs)
May-June 2019
3
Support with the development of an ECE plan within the broader ESP
ECE Plan
ESSP incorporating ECE (including M&E framework and budget)
May August 2019
4
Work with EMIS consultant to ensure that ECE is effectively integrated into EMIS implementation plan
EMIS implementation plan incorporating ECE
May 2019 January 2020
5
Support implementation of capacity development plan and other BELDS activities
OpenEMIS investment case
April 2019 – January 2020
6
Support UNICEF HQ to document BELDS process and activities and summarize lessons learned.
Report on in country activities under BELDS
February 2020
Payment schedule
An initial payment of 10 per cent of the value of the contract will be made following the approval of an inception report outlining a work plan and timeline for implementation of activities, informed by TOR and discussion with the Country office. Subsequently, monthly payments will be issued based on the approval of the monthly implementation report by the Ministry and UNICEF. The monthly implementation report will summarize progress on the implementation of planned activities during the month. It should also highlight challenges, recommendations and suggest the work plan for the next month. The final payment will be linked to a full implementation report of the of consultancy. This report will document key progress and achievements, challenges and recommendation for the way forward.
Desired profile
Postgraduate degree in education/or social sciences, humanities;
Minimum 5 years of practical experience in the field of education, educational policies and reform in the educational sector (preferably in early childhood education), as well as experience with education sector planning processes;
Familiarity with new educational development trends and socio-economic reforms,
Previous work/experience with similar projects;
Experience in work with international organizations and consultants;
Knowledge of UNICEF priorities would be an asset;
Good writing and communication skills;
Experience and ability to work in a team.
Strong analytical skills
Administrative issues
The consultant will be engaged full-time and is expected to be based in Maseru. All travel required for this contract should be quoted for in the financial proposal based on economy class air fares.
The consultant will provide own lap top and cell phone.
The consultant will be provided with working space in the UNICEF Lesotho country office but a significant proportion of the consultant time will be spent at the MoET which is walking distance from the UNICEF office. Consultant can perform the work from home, however the will be days that he/she will be required to be in the office.
During the contract period, the consultant is expected to travel within the country. The Lesotho Country Office will cover costs of national travel to project sites, but this will not include daily subsistence allowance which should be included in the financial proposal.
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 General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=5200950 .Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above. Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (including administration and logistics).
Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.