Consultant Title: Technical Consultant
Supervisor: IYF Program Director (MENA Region)
Expected Length of Consultancy: 10 months
PROJECT DESCRIPTION / STATEMENT OF WORK
If selected as a service provider by UNICEF, IYF will manage the implementation of an Analytical Mapping (AM) of Life Skills Based Education (LBSE) activities in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region and based on the AM, develop a Conceptual Programmatic Framework (CPF) to support MENA countries in improving the quality and relevance of education programs and of learning achievements through life skills based education. Please note, this consultancy is contingent upon us receiving funding from UNICEF.
In order to support MENA countries in institutionalizing LSBE within their national education systems, both in the formal and non-formal sub-sectors, IYF is seeking a consultant to assist IYF in mapping existing LSBE interventions in both formal and non-formal education sectors across MENA (including health, youth, and protection sectors) through desk research and the development and implementation of MENA-wide LBSE survey; and to assist in the development of a CPF for LSBE that is relevant for the MENA context (with clear definitions and quality standards); provide clear guidelines implementation of the CPF; and finally introduce an LSBE M&E framework in MENA that includes the measurement of learning outcomes.
The AM will cover the entire MENA region. The consultant and selected IYF staff will then conduct site visits to three MENA Region countries selected in collaboration with UNICEF where they will conduct more in-depth research and analysis. Initial findings will be presented by IYF and the consultant at the MENA Education Network Meeting in October 2015.
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The consultant shall conduct the following tasks:
1. Inception Report
In close coordination with IYF, the consultant will develop an Inception Report including the detailed methodological approach for undertaking the AM and CPF. This report should include an outline for both documents. It will also include a detailed timeline for the XX months duration of the consultancy.
2. Analytical Mapping
The consultant will develop AM framework. Mapping criteria include but are not limited to :
- Embedding into education sector policy and planning frameworks.
- Institutional and financial support.
- Scale.
- Coordinated and partnership mechanisms,
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
- Quality standards
- Existing evidence of impact on student learning, acquisition of knowledge, empowerment, civic engagement and employability.
The consultant will complete a desk review and develop and implement on-line surveys of LSBE in the MENA region to feed into the AM framework.
Site Visits. In close consultation with IYF, the consultant will build on the desk review and country surveys to engage in an in-depth analysis of LSBE in three MENA countries selected by IYF and UNICEF and feed into the AM framework.
3. Conceptual Programmatic Framework
Based on the AM, the consultant will develop the CPF following the guidelines set by UNICEF. It will cover the following areas:
- Rationale for LSBE
- Benefits of LSBE from an international evidence-based perspective
- Relevance of LSBE for the MENA region
- LSBE in MENA
- Skills for Life (Learning to Know)
- Skills for Personal Empowerment and Self-Development (Learning to Be)
- Skills for Active Citizenship (Learning to Live Together)
- Skills for Employability (Learning to Do)
- LSBE in formal education
- LSBE in non-formal education
- LSBE in work settings and partnerships with the private sector
- Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
- Formative and summative assessment tools for LSBE
- National and regional indicators for the management of LSBE
- Guidelines and Monitoring framework for LSBE programming
4. Engagement with IYF
The consultant is expected to provide regular progress reports to the IYF Program Director in Baltimore. Under his/her guidance, the consultant is expected to work closely with IYF staff including regional staff based in IYF’s Jordan and Morocco offices and to seek their input in to the AM and CPF.
5. Engagement with UNICEF
The consultant is expected to participate in the consultative and participatory processes for the development of the AM and CPF with IYF and UNICEF. This includes country consultations at the MENA Education Network (MEdNet) Meeting to be held in October 2015. The consultant will prepare and show the preliminary results of the research and facilitation of a consultation process on the programmatic directions to be included in the development of the CPF. The consultant is also expected to present the CPF to UNICEF near the end of the consultancy.
6. Travel
- The Consultant will be expected to travel to three countries in the MENA region selected by IYF and UNICEF for the in-depth analysis.
- The consultant will be expected to travel to the MEdNet conference in a country to be determined.
- The consultant will be expected to make one visit the UNICEF MEANRO office in Amman.
DELIVERABLE AND TIMELINE
| Deliverable | Expected days | Deadline | IYF Role |
| Inception Report draft | 15 | August 2015 | · Inception Report design engagement · Report review and finalization · Submission of report to UNICEF |
| Travel to MENARO | 7 | August 2015 | · IYF Travel to MENARO |
| Desk Review | 20 | September 2015 | · Desk review design engagement · Report review and finalization · Submission of report to UNICEF |
| On-line survey | 10 | September 2015 | · Survey design engagement · Survey review and finalization |
| Participation at MEdNet meeting | 7 | October 2015 | · IYF Participation at MEdNet meeting |
| In-depth Analytical Mapping of three MENA countries | 60 | November and December 2015 | · Analytical Mapping methodology engagement · IYF participation in in-depth mapping in one or more countries |
| First draft of AM due | 30 | January 2016 | · Mapping review and finalization · Submission of report to UNICEF |
| Conceptual Programmatic Framework First Draft | 30 | February 2016 | · Framework review and finalization · Submission of framework to UNICEF |
| Presentation of CPF at MENARO office | 10 | April 2016 | · Presentation review and finalization |
| Final CPF due | 30 | May 2016 | · Framework review and finalization · Submission of framework to UNICEF |
REPORTING
This position will report directly to the IYF MENA Program Director in Baltimore. The consultant will also work in close coordination with IYF’s Jordan, Palestine, and Morocco Country Directors. All materials will be submitted in English.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
The consultant should have the following qualifications:
- Advanced university degree (PhD preferable) in one or more of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Education, Social Sciences, or other fields relevant to international development assistance.
- At least 10 years of experience and expertise in LSBE, monitoring and evaluation, education policy, and program development.
- Strong network in the employment, entrepreneurship, service learning, and other related programming for youth in the Middle East/North Africa Region.
- Excellent research capabilities.
- Strong interpersonal and analytical skills.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Experience working in the MENA region
- Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and mandate is an asset.
- Oral and written fluency in both English and Arabic.
- Ability to travel throughout the MENA region as needed.
COMPENSATION
The consultant will be paid a daily rate. All costs associated with travel, transportation, accommodations, meals, and incidentals of the consultant within this SOW will be reimbursed to consultant based on actuals as per IYF procedures and guidelines.
TO APPLY
Please submit all of the following documents with “LBSE Technical Consultant” followed by your name in the subject line, to [email protected]:
- Completed Biodata sheet
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
The International Youth Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.