The Production of the Thematic Report on Education Outcome Within The

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Production of the Thematic Report on Education outcome within the

UNICEF Strategic Plan 2014-2017

Consultant, Education Section, Programme Division, UNICEF HQ

1. Background

Thematic funds are contributions that donors earmark for one of the seven UNICEF Strategic Plan (SP) 2014-2017outcomesor humanitarian response, without further earmarking for specific programme activities. Thematic funding was created after the adoption of the Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) 2001-2005 as an opportunity to facilitate financing of UNICEF programmes in a more strategic and flexible manner in order to achieve the results of the strategic plan. The arrangement entails donors agreeing to one consolidated report per outcome area. Each year, each outcome area is required to produce a report addressing UNICEF’s global work in each outcome area demonstrating progress against targets set in the SP 2014-2017 for sharing with all donors.

The Education Outcome(Improved learning outcomes and equitable and inclusive education) spans diverse programmes and activities across sixoutputs relevant to varied country contexts. The Outputs include the following:

Output 1:Enhanced support to communities with disadvantaged and excluded children to start schooling at the right age and attend regularly

Output 2:Increased national capacity to provide access to learning opportunities and quality primary and secondary education

Output 3:Strengthened political commitment, accountability and national capacity to legislate, plan and budget for scaling-up quality and inclusive education

Output 4:Increased country capacity and delivery of services to ensure girls and boys access to safe and secure forms of education and critical information for their own well-being in humanitarian situations

Output 5:Increased capacity of governments and partners, as duty bearers, to identify and respond to key human rights and gender equality dimensions of school readiness and performance

Output 6: Enhanced global and regional capacity to accelerate progress in education

With the start of the new Strategic Plan 2014-2017, theeducation programme has made strategic changes and shifts working towards further sharpening the focus on equity in education through multiple strategies and initiatives focusing on the Out-of-School Children Initiative, girls’ education and children with disabilities. Similarly, education programmes across countries and regions are working to address specific issues as they get played out within the regional, national and sub-national contexts to further promote the equity agenda.

There has also been a growing global attention towards learning outcomes as more evidence shows that many children that attend school are not learning. The Global Monitoring Report in 2012 showed that out of 650 million children of primary-school age, at least 250 million could be failing to read or count. The education programme continues to strengthen national capacities, knowledge and resources to expand access to and completion of quality basic education for excluded and marginalized children (including transitions from pre-primary to primary to secondary), with improved and relevant learning outcomes in development contexts and in emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Additionally, in the last year, innovations in education as a concept and approach to support education change and to accelerate progress in the sector has significantly been addressed, but more needs to be done.

The four priority areas for education in the Strategic Plan include: equity, early learning, learning and education in humanitarian settings.

1. Purpose

The purpose of the consultancy is to coordinate the production of and write the of Education Resultnarrative report for 2014.

1. Tasks and Expected Results

Under the supervision of the Education Section’s Planning, Capacity Development and Knowledge Management hub and with the guidance of the Associate Director (Global Chief of Education), we invite consultantsto indicate their interest to undertake the following tasks:

1)Provide an overall in-depth analysis of available information and identification of achievements, gaps and challenges of the education sector context and programme based on the following:

• Key trends in basic education with reference to all relevant global data sources from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey(MICS), UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS), Demographic Household Survey (DHS), etc. with a focus on gender and social equity and learning;
• Analyses of the overall patterns of UNICEF investment in education aiming to generate a logical flow between the targets set, the types of investment and choices made, and the reported results (attributable to UNICEF) from country offices globally.
• Develop a logical and evidence-based storyline to demonstrate the attribution to and contribution of UNICEF’s work at the outcome level; where relevant and plausible, also further develop the storylines to make the linkages with broader changes evident at the impact level;
• Highlight the overall bigger results that could be reported at the global and regional education outcomes and the successes/challenges in key education indicators for 2014 and relate it to the accompanying trends in the financial investment analysis;

2)Develop 4-6 supporting case studies of countries with high impact interventionsbased on analysis of field-based dataand through communication with UNICEF colleagues in the field; countries selected on the basis of the data analysis[1], will be a source of quantitative verifiable data and accomplishments;

3)Make recommendations for future reports beyond 2014 using UNICEF multiple data sources;

4)Based on the overall analysis and reporting of available information sources (UNICEF and non-UNICEF);

• identify the existing knowledge and data gaps accompanying recommendations to address them as part of regular reporting from the field;
• recommendations for a framework on reporting for results specific to the thematic needs;

1. References and materials to be used for the analysis above include:

• Country Office Annual Reports (COAR) and COAR analysis documents produced by Education Headquarters (HQ);
• Regional Analysis Reports (RAR);
• Results Analysis Modules (RAM);
• Global data sources such as MICS, UIS, DHS,LSMS, and other related household surveys,etc.;
• Annual report of the Executive Director of UNICEF: progress and achievements against the medium-term strategic plan;
• Data companion to the annual report of the Executive Director;
• Regional summary of mid-term reviews of country programmes;
• Reports of MTR countries in 2014;
• 2014Millennium Development Goals (MDG) stocktaking papers;
• Evaluation studies from UNICEF HQ, regional and country offices;

1. Expected Deliverables

1. Time Frame

Phase 1: Planning and consultation

• Preliminary planning discussion with section focal points and agree to plan of action/timelines and synthesis of existing data/relevant information from key documents (see list of references and materials above)
• Liaise and conduct consultations (in person, by phone/Skype, or email, as required) with key Education Section staff and others (Public Partnership Division, Division of Data Research and Policy, Programme Division, as required) to gather and internalize the relevant information

• Liaise/initiate with Section focal points in writing the key components of first draft of Education Result Report: a) overall trends with reference to the list of relevant global data sources; b) in-depth analysis of year 2014 and SP 2014-2017 implementation; c) global and regional education outcomes- success and challenges; d) impact of education outcomes and outputs that links to a broader change; e) highlights of selected innovative strategic decision that led to cost efficiency and economies of scale of strategic interventions in catalyzing and creating impact in delivering results

Phase 2: Draft and revisions

• Produce draft submissions as requiredof Education Result report and incorporate feedback from section focal points, Section Chief, Inter-Divisional Review Team, Editor and Programme Division Deputy Directors
• Based on a global assessment, draft 4-6 case studies of high impact interventions fromcountries in selected successful educational programmes

Phase 3: Finalization

• Finalize Education Result Report, including final proofread, making any additional necessary changes
• Finalize 4-6 case studies of high impact interventions in selected educational programmes
• Provide recommendations for future Education Result Report using UNICEF multiple data sources

*NB: Number and date of draft submissions required is subject to change pending forthcoming guidance and adjustments to timeline.

1. Duration

Period of assignment. The consultantis expected to work 45 daysbetween 9 February and 18 May 2015.Qualified consultant will work off-site most of the time but also in person at UNICEF NYHQ as per needed. The consultant will be available by email, telephone and skype to facilitate inputs to and production of the report.

1. Key Skills, Technical Background, and Experience Required

Desired Competencies for the consultant: Consultantsmust offer the following demonstrated experience, knowledge and competencies:

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Sciences and/or other relevant area;
• 8-10 years (senior) of experience working in the development field with preference in the education sector;
• Strong knowledge in programming and relevant technical fields (policy analysis, statistical analysis or other social science discipline). Education is a plus;
• Significant knowledge and experience of evaluation concepts and approaches;
• Good knowledge of national programming principles, INGOs and NGO networks, and a strong knowledge partnership principles in development work;
• Knowledgeable in results based management and results oriented approach to project implementation;
• Proven strong knowledge and practical application of evaluation methodologies and data collection and data analysis skills;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills;
• Experience in results reporting for bilateral donors;
• Multilingual versatility and experience in case study country (CSC);
• High level proficiency in standard computer software, in particular, Microsoft word and Excel;
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines;
• Excellent written in English, of publication standard;
• Familiarity with the UN and UNICEF programmes.

The consultantmust have experience of working cross-culturally in development, and demonstrated capacity in managing programmes.

1. How to Apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be retrieved at ) to with subject line “Education Thematic Report Consultant”

by30 January 2015, 5:00 PM EST.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal Status

The individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

2. Obligations

The Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.

3. Title rights

UNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.

4. Travel

If UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:

(a)UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.

(b)UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

5. Statement of good health

Before commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

6. Insurance

The Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

7. Service incurred death, injury or illness

If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

8. Arbitration

(a)Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.

(b)If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.