Country: Somalia
Closing date: 10 Jan 2017
Background
Somaliland like other countries recovering from histories of fragility and conflict, has struggled to keep pace with progress toward provision of access to equitable inclusive quality education for all out of school children and ensure that enrolled children are learning. According to the UNDP, Somalia Human Development Report (2012), the literacy rate among school children aged 6 to 13 was 42%, whilst the adult literacy rate was estimated at 31%: 26% for females against 36% for males. Among the literate population, the majority has a primary level education, with only a small proportion attaining secondary level or above.
Towards addressing these and other challenges in education, in 2012 the Government of Somaliland developed a five-year Education Sector-wide National Policy and Education Sector Strategy Plan (ESSP) for 2012 -2016. With the ending of ESSP 2012 -2016, the Somaliland Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF (under Global Partnership for Education (GPE) funding) has just concluded the development of a follow-up ESSP for 2017- 2021. Informed by the lessons learned during the last years of interventions and the analysis of the changes in Somaliland context, the plan will be a guiding document for the education sector in Somaliland for the coming five years.
The ESSP is organized around six sub-sectors: Early Childhood Education, Primary, Secondary, Alternative Basic (including Non- Formal) Education, Higher Education, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with particular attention to improved learning outcomes, increased equity and inclusiveness and enhancing effective and efficient education system.
For the implementation of the ESSP 2017-2021, the Somaliland Ministry of Education in conjunction with Save the Children (as the chosen Grant Agent) is planning to apply to GPE for the Education Strategic Plan Implementation Grant (ESPIG). Hence, the purpose of this consultancy is to facilitate and provide technical support towards developing the ESPIG application which is required to be submitted to GPE by 30th April.
Objective
The primary objective of the consultancy is to coordinate and develop the ESPIG application package, working under the leadership of the Somaliland Ministry of Education & Higher Studies, and in coordination with Save the Children and the Education Sector Committee (ESC).
Scope of work
The implementation plan should be geared towards supporting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) of ensuring inclusive and quality education for all by building stronger education systems for achieving improvements in education equity and learning and closely linked to country commitment, performance, and nationally identified needs.
Moreover, the ESPIG developed is expected to support the implementation of the broad-reaching goals of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE),
Goal 1: Improved and more equitable student learning outcomes through quality teaching and learning
Goal 2: Increased equity, gender equality and inclusion for all in a full cycle of quality education, targeting the poorest and most marginalized, including by gender, disability, ethnicity, and conflict or fragility
Goal 3: Effective and efficient education systems delivering equitable quality educational services for all.
and informed by the Somaliland ESP 2017 -2021; and furthermore must be based on a consultative process led by the Somaliland Ministry of education and its devolved structures, in close collaboration with Save the children international and with active engagement of the local education group/ESC members.
The consultancy service is required from January 15th to May 15th 2017. During this period the consultant will be working based in Hargeisa, Somaliland for 70% of his time in addition to providing remote support. More so, the consultant is expected to facilitate a series of consultation meetings coordinated by the MOE&HS before and during the process of developing the ESPIG application to design and update the stakeholders on the progress, obtain feedback, and jointly review the package.
Specific tasks to be implemented includes but not limited to:
The consultant will be responsible for the preparation, design and facilitation of the ESPIG application, including sequencing of activities, the financial and costing plan as well as the monitoring & evaluation framework. The consultant will oversee the whole process while working in close partnership with the MoE&HS of Somaliland, the Education Sector Committee, Save the Children and other development partners.
The consultant will work in close collaboration and in partnership with the Directors of each Department, especially the Policy & Planning Department, ESC members, Education Management and Information Systems (EMIS) Unit, as well as the Technical Advisors at the MOE&HS. S/he will report to Save the Children. It is imperative that the MOE&HS and the ESC along with other key stakeholders fully acknowledge their ownership as well as accountability of the ESPIG and finally endorse the document.
Hence, the consultant is expected to accomplish the following, but not limited to:
Carry out a desk review of pertenant documents, like the National Development Plan, education and related policy documents, and a thorough review of the education sector analysis (conducted in 2016) and the ESSP 2017- 2021. etc.
Conduct series of planning meetings, design workshops and consultations with key Government ministries and departments, mainly Ministry of Education and Higher Studies and its devolved structures, Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Finance, Department of Policy and Planning, Education management and information system unit, as well as the Education Sector Committee, Local Education Group, and other key education stakeholders.
Facilitate the drafting, finalization and submission of all the required ESPIG application package documents within the agreed timeline of 28th February 2017 (for initial quality assurance check) and final formal submission by end of April 2017 in coordination with the MOE&HS and Save the Children
Organize and facilitate application review and endorsement workshops and incorporate feedback into the application package documents.
Liaise with the coordinating agency (USAID) for submission of the application package to GPE for an initial submission to GPE by 28th February 2017 (for initial quality assurance check) and final formal submission by end of April 2017.
Incorporate feedback from GPE’s quality assurance check and finalize application documents for formal and final submission to GPE by end of April 2017.
Following submission of the ESPIG application, organize and facilitate a series of preparation activities for ESSP implementation, including but not limited to: translation and dissemination of the ESSP documents, familiarization workshops with REOs and DEOs, external launch events etc.
Deliverables
At least 1 application design workshop in Hargeisa
At least 2 application review and validation workshops in Hargeisa
1 x ESPIG application package submitted to GPE (initial draft for review by end of February 2017 and final edited formal submission end of April 2017)
At least 3 workshops to familiarize REOs and DEOs with the ESSP
At least 1 external launch event in Hargeisa
Consultant requirements
At least an advanced degree in education and /or educational planning or related field.
At least 8 years of relevant experience in the field of educational planning
Experience in undertaking education program development or similar work, preferably in Somalia and/or other developing countries
Good communication skills, with fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Somali language is an asset
Good in facilitation and participatory approaches.
Excellent analytic and report writing skills
Experience working with GPE
Experience working with government ministries, preferably the Ministry of Education.
Interested candidates are expected to provide the following documentation:
A technical proposal with detailed response to the TOR, with specific focus addressing the scope of work and methodology to be used.
Initial work plan based on methodology outlined, and indication of availability.
A financial proposal detailing the daily rate expected and initial work plan.
Company profile or CV including a minimum of 3 traceable, recent (with the last 5 years) and relevant references to this task.
Code of conduct
Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles of child safeguarding, and it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff and other people working for and with Save the Children. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to and the consultant is bound to sign and abide to the Save the Children’s Code of Conduct.
Mandatory security training
The consultant shall be expected to go through mandatory on-line security training and submit the certificate of completion to SC before the commencement of the task. Failure to deliver this will lead to an automatic disqualification. SC will advise on the security plan on appointment.
How to apply:
How to apply: - To submit applications for this consultancy, please send the documentation to Somaliland.procurement@savethechildren.org: .Applications will close on January 10, 2017 at 3.30 PM.