Position Title: Education Consultant (Policy Dialogue and Programme)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR

Position Title: Education Consultant (Policy Dialogue and Programme)

Level:P4 equivalent

Location:Mbabane, Swaziland

Start Date:June, 2015 – December, 2015

Duration:7 months (with a possibility of an extension in 2016)

Reporting to: Deputy Representative

Purpose of the assignment

UNICEF SCO is supporting the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) at a various levels, in particular at the upstream level to strengthen the education system and reinforce the coordination mechanism. Since 2013, Education Management Information System (EMIS) is supported to generate timely and accurate data to enhance evidence-based programming and planning for a better delivery of education. In the same vein, strong and continued advocacy towards the senior Education authorities resulted with the reviving of the coordination mechanism. An officer was designated within the EMIS department as Coordinator. A continued discussion on the coordination and other relevant issues such the quality of education, between UNICEF, the MoET and relevant partners is ongoing.

UNICEF is supporting the MoET and its partners to leveraging of resources for the education sector, to ensure children’s right to quality education.Currently UNICEF is supporting the MoET exploring the possibilities to enter into collaboration with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), specifically for data generation, sector analysis, or education plan development. There is also a focus on South-South and triangular exchange of knowledge and experience, to contribute resources and expertise, looking at Violence in Schools and Sports for Development (life skills).

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Representative, the incumbent will provide support to UNICEF Swaziland, in a context of restructuring and change management. The incumbent will be accountable for the finalization of the design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of Education programme(s) in the context of the preparation of a new country programme (2016-2020), and will ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives.

Specifically, the support of the candidate will be required in four major areas:

Managing the transition: The Swaziland CO is in the process of finalizing its new CPD 2016-2020, which will come into effect the 1 January 2016. In this process, the programme has adopted a “life-cycle” approach, identifying key interventions for specific age groups: early stages of development; and adolescents (10-14 years and 15-19 years). The education sector will focus on: (i) improved quality of ECD services, contributing to making a strong foundation for children’s best start in life and achieving the child related sustainable goals; and (ii) redressing gaps in public provision for adolescents and the promotion of adolescent development, participation and citizenship. In particular, the promotion of the expansion of opportunities for positive adolescent development by aiming to increase adolescents’ inclusion, participation and completion of quality education, including establishing safe and protective environments in schools through the implementation of ‘Schools without Violence’ programmes within the Child Friendly School (CFS) initiative.

This transition period for the section is an important process which will require firm but delicate management to ensure a smooth transition.

Reprofiling UNICEF support in an evolving Education context: Swaziland has made tremendous progress in terms of broadening access to primary education. The education sector is in a transitional situation with a bulk of children in primary while the other two extremities of the education sector are quite empty: few children are benefitting from a qualitative ECD services with a NER at 33% while the situation is worse in secondary education with a NER at 27%. At the meantime the quality and relevance of the curriculum and the subsequent learning outcomes are not at the required standards. High repetition rates are noted throughout the whole education system, while children who succeed to complete their studies are struggling to step into the job market, with unemployment among youth, aged between 15 and 24 years, at 64%.

2015is the final year of the gradualrolling out of the FPE which started in 2010. Number of questions have been raised about the sustainability of the initiative, its extension to lower secondary education in the framework of Basic Education. This provides an important opportunity to move the education agenda forward together with the Ministry, especially as the government preparesthe Education Sector Analysis. In addition, this is an opportunity to advocate for budgetary allocations to meet agreed policy commitments, and to contribute to identification of fiscal space for creating opportunities, as well asincreased child-sensitive budget allocations and budget execution for the education sector. The incumbent will therefore be required to coordinate this work and ensure that UNICEF’s mandate is coherently reflected in the Plan and that any major adjustments are made.

Strengthen UNICEF role as facilitating agency: UNICEF is currently playing a leading role in supporting the MoET convening Education stakeholders. UNICEF also initiated discussion with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) which might result in some important collaboration between the two institutions. S/he will help manage and coordinate education sector plan's interventions in the framework of the emerging collaboration between the MoET and the GPE. S/he will support the coordination of the education sector and position UNICEF as the lead of the Local Education Group and the Local Donors' Group.

Mobilizing and leveraging resources for the education sector: Despite the increase of theEducation share in the state budget, the education sector is still underfunded. But also there are some disparities in the dispatching of the education budget which is mainly directed towards higher education when the basic education which is laying the foundation is not fully funded. The incumbent is responsible for supporting the government to identify trends in policy and practice of budget allocation and spending, and to actively engage in policy dialogue and contribute to identification of fiscal space for increased child-sensitive budget allocations in the education sector.The incumbent is expected to support the MoET in developing fundraising material; strategy; and effective donor relationships, in order to mobilize future funds. He will also advocate for more national resources for education and support the MoET in the best way to utilize efficiently the mobilized resources

Specifically, the consultant, under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, willreview and analyseUNICEF SCO initiatives aimed to improve the coordination of the education sector, support the strengthening of the education system, the setting up and rolling out of a consistent policy dialogue mechanism and will support the development of policy briefs. The consultant will also support the development of summaries of good practices, in order to promote sharing and learning with other countries from the region. The consultant will also assist the MoET to identify and make available proven methodologies, tools and guidance to improve the delivery of a good and relevant education outcomes. S/he will coordinate with UNICEF Regional Advisers to ensure country office strategies are aligned with global and regional strategies.

Scope of Work

1)Goal and Objective:

The goal of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of UNICEF SCOto support the MoET to strengthen the coordination of the education sector and the rolling out of a high level policy dialogue and programme implementation. The consultant will support the implementation of ongoing project: disability and HIV/AIDS prevention through sports. Finally, he will support the ongoing dialogue between the Global Partnership for Education and the MoET.

2)Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered:

This assignment is part of the Swaziland Country OfficeBasic Education Annual work plan for 2015, Output 3.1, specifically linked to the activity 05: establish coordination mechanisms at national and decentralised levels and convene quarterly policy dialogues around education issues.

3)Activities and Tasks:

Support the implementation of the current education programme by the end of the year and contribute to the development of the new annual work plan for 2016;
Review and analyse past and ongoing initiatives aimed to improve the coordination of the education sector and the promotion of policy dialogue, develop summaries of good practices for sharing and learning with other countries from the region.
Support Ministry of Education and Training to organise at least 2 sector coordination meetings by end of 2015;
Represent UNICEF at Technical and Financial partner and government meetings, and ensure UNICEF’s global goals are effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue in the Education sector;
Support the government to identify trends in policy and practice of budget allocation and spending, and to actively engage in policy dialogue and contribute to identification of fiscal space for increased child-sensitive budget allocations in the education sector.
Support Ministry of Education and Training to draft and submit the education sector analysis or plan development grant application to GPE;
Provide technical assistance to MoET to implement the secondary education investment plan and the Out-of-school children studies.

In addition to the tasks listed above, the consultant will promote equity and quality in education on behalf of UNICEF in a range of matters. This will include working with the Ministry of Education and Training and other Government Ministries to promote ECD, HIV/AIDS prevention through Sports, disability, and responding to UNICEF’s and MoETrequirements as they emerge.

Expected Deliverables & Work Schedule

1)Report documenting the progress in the implementation of the basic education programme

This would incorporate:

An annual review of the programme analysing main:

- achievements,

- constrainsts,

- opportunities and,

- lessons learnt.

2)Support education sector coordination meetings and develop at least one policy brief on education sector coordination

This would involve working with the education sector coordination focal point to prepare and convene meetings, and drafting at least one policy brief related to sector coordination and policy dialogue.

3)Support education sector coordination meetings and develop at least one policy brief on education sector coordination

4)Support education sector coordination meetings and develop at least one policy brief on education sector coordination

5)Support education sector coordination meetings and develop at least one policy brief on education sector coordination

6)Support education sector coordination meetings and develop at least one policy brief on education sector coordination

7)Support education sector coordination meetings and develop at least one policy brief on education sector coordination

8)Support the drafting and submission of the GPE proposal

Building on the ongoing discussion work closely with MoET to draft and submit an application for education sector analysis or plan development through an extensive education stakeholders consultation.

9)Oversee the implementation of the secondary invest plan study and the Out-of-school children study

Work with EMIS, Planning Unit and Sebenta to carry out the studies.

OFFICE ARRANGEMENTS & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

The consultant will be based 60% of time at the MoET, and 40% of time at the UNICEF office. The UNICEF Deputy Representative will be the supervisor for this consultancy from the UNICEF side, and the Consultant will also work in close collaboration with the Principal Secretary, Director of Education and all relevant Heads of Departments at MoET and in turn liaise with the respective NGOs and other Government Ministries on cross-sectoral or cross- cutting issues.

Consultant’s Work Place

The MoET and UNICEF will provide appropriate working conditions to support the assignment. Office space, office equipment including a computer with relevant software installed for exclusive use to UNICEF’s work, will be provided.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

-Advanced university degree (Masters as a minimum) in Education, social sciences, and/or international development with focus on education;

-A minimum of 8 years of experience in research, analysis and/orproviding technical advice to government, and/or international development organizations in the area of education programming and/or budget planning and policy dialogue;

-Professional experience fiscal and social policy in developing countries, and experience in supporting Government institutions in policy development and dialogue, and programme implementation;

-Updated knowledge on the experiences, initiatives, policies, and research studies pertaining to education, planning and budgeting;

-Excellent networking and interpersonal skills required;

-Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required; skills in another UN language desirable;

-Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner;

-Excellent organization skills, attention to detail, and ability to contribute to a team.

Submission Guidelines

Qualified candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at quoting the indicative fee range with reference: Education Consultant (Policy Dialogue and Programme)by COB 12th May 2015 to:

The Human Resources Focal point

UNICEF Swaziland Country Office

Email address:

“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”

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