Somalia: CONSTULTANCY FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE REVIEW OF EDUCATION SECTOR STRATEGIC PLAN

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Background:

Ministry of Education & Higher Education MOEHE) of Puntland, through a consultant, is conducting an in-depth Education sector Analysis(ESA), followed by a review and update of the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) that currently expires in 2016, with a view of coming up with an updated 5-year ESSP(2017-2021). The process will be led by the MOEHE along with key stakeholders, especially the Education Sector Committee (ESC). Once the ESSP is developed, it is essential to appraise the ESSP for quality assurance purposes (including the quality, feasibility, comprehensiveness, sustainability, M&E financing, etc. of the Plan and the adequacy of how the ESSP was developed).This Quality Assurance Review (QAR) process ensures that the framework of strategic actions, achievements, and targeting indicators are adequate and in line with internationally agreed standards to guide the education sector toward its fundamental goal of equitable access to good quality education. It provides a fair review of the ESP strengths and areas in need of improvement before the endorsement by partners which signifies their commitment to support the implementation of the ESSP. The sector plan lacks adequate fundingas the government’s financial resources remain severely constrained. Resources from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Plan Development Grant, focused explicitly onprogressing toward universal quality primary education, would make a significant contribution to the endorsement of Puntland’s education sector plan.

2.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The primary objective of the consultancy is to conduct the Quality Assurance Review of the ESSP with a view of providing a credible appraisal of the Puntland Education Sector Strategic Plan-ESSP (2017-2021). It will provides a fair review of the ESP strengths and areas in need of improvement before the endorsement by partners which signifies their commitment to support the implementation of the ESP Specifically, the consultancy will provide technical Assurance, proofing, design, and financial appraisal of the ESSP which would include evidence that a positive policy environment exists for productive investments in the education sector, and that capacity constraints are being addressed to facilitate policy implementation. The appraisal will also focus on areas of government leadership, knowledge and data, institutional and human capacities, and dialogue among education stakeholders.

1. SCOPE OF THE WORK AND METHODOLOGY

2. Desk review of key documents(4 working days at home for desk review of documents)

3. Meetings and consultations with key government departments of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Planning, and Ministry of Finance, Department of Policy and Planning , Education Management and Information System; the Education Sector Committee, and otherkey stakeholders ending with a presentation to partners (PowerPoint plus draft appraisal report). This will take 8 days in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia.

4. Holding interviews with key stakeholders

5. Conduct field visits

6. Organizing a validation workshop for stakeholders to share findings

7. 4 working days later at home for finalization of appraisal report from comments received

3.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

The main task for the consultancy is to develop an Appraisal Reportof the ESSP that assessesits:-

1. Technical quality including specific strategies for addressing equity, efficiency and learning issues such as gender equity, rural and pastoralist access and meeting the needs of vulnerable children(robustness and relevance of strategies, change strategies, results framework), ;

2. Leadership and participation (ownership, participatory process, governance, capacity development, monitoring & evaluation aspects.

3. Coherence and consistency of strategy and actions(coherence among strategies, programmes and interventions; comprehensive costing aligned with the budget; coherence of monitoring and valuation indicators,

4. Linkages with international standards, national development plans and current Puntland education policy;

5. Feasibility, implementability and monitoringability (financial feasibility, systems capacity, governance and accountability; risks to implementation and mitigation measures; robustness of the M&E framework)

6. Self-assessment of donor coordination of the ESSP and MOEHE/ESCfor appraisal.

7. Assess the soundness and relevance of the plan(evidence based Education sector Analysis, relevance of policies and programmes, soundness of the financial framework, soundness of the Action plan, how feasible and achievable the proposed activities can be reached within the 5 years

   The report should identify any gaps in policy, knowledge, data or capacity and how these are being addressed in the Plan.The consultant should also comment on the coherence of the Plan and on the degree of prioritization achieved. The report should identify any areas for improvement together with major risks or assumptions and how to minimize them.Reference can also be made to the previous ESSP and the ESA

   The consultants will include the following in line with GPE guidelines:

1) List the main documents available for the appraisal

2) Distill baseline education indicators from the available documents

3) Evaluate the proposed long-term strategic direction for sector development

4) Assess the 3-year action plan and identify capacity constraints

5) Assess the consultation process

6) Consolidate and summarize the appraisal results

4.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

The consultant is expected to complete and submit the following:

Deliverables

Memo

Work Plan and budget breakdown

Submit detailed schedule of the work (based on agreement with the MOEHE and Save the Children), and the budget for the consultancy work

ESC meeting (at least three)

Hold a meeting to a) explain to the ESC, the objectives of the consultancy b) present the analysis and findings to the ESC members, and c) present the analysis and findings to ESC Nairobi

Draft QAR Report

Powerpoint presentation

Final QAR Report

Incorporate feedback from ESC and other stakeholders prior to finalization

The consultant will work in close collaboration and in partnership with the Directors of each Department, especially the Policy & Planning Department (EMIS unit), ESC members, , as well as the Technical Advisors at the MOEHE. S/he will report to the Director General of MOEHE and Save the Children.

The consultancy involves at least two travels to Garowe,Puntland (8 working days). The consultant is expected to facilitate consultation meetings coordinated by the MOEHE before and after the ESSP QAR to notify the process of the ESSP development and to update the outcome of the ESSP. i.e. The consultant will write a draft appraisal report during his/her stay in Garowe and give a powerpoint presentation to development partners before departure.

It is imperative that the MOEHE and the ESC along with other key stakeholders fully acknowledge their ownership as well as accountability of the ESSP and finally endorse the document..

5.0 CONTRACTUAL AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant will contract with Save the Children/ MOEHE and work under the overall responsibility of the Ministry. The Director General of the MOEHE in coordination with save the children education program manager will be directly responsible for working with and supporting the Consultant to ensure that all necessary staff participation arrangements are made for the Consultant. The Consultant will also update works to MOEHE and Save the Children. The consultancy fee will be paid by Save the Children.

After comments have been received from partners, the consultant will finalize theAppraisal Report according to the GPE Secretariat’s guidelinesto be submitted to both MOEHEand Save the Children.

6.0 DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The consultancy work is expected to take 14 -17 working days. The assignment is scheduled to start 7th November 2016, proposals will be reviewed on an on-going basis as they are submitted.

7.0 QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CONSULTANT

• An advanced degree, preferably a Master’s in Education Planning, Management and Administration in education or related field;

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively complex experience in the education sector;

• Strong command of good practice in education policy and planning; with in-depth knowledge of Puntland education system

• Experience developing sector strategies and plans;

Qualified applicants are requested to submit bids through a short proposal detailing past experience and the budget to Somalia.consultants@savethechildren.org

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as time is of essence.

Disclaimer - Save the Children is under no obligation to award to the lowest or highest or any applicant at all and may cancel the whole/part process when it deems fit without giving further justification. Applications shall not be returned beyond the stipulated time.