TERMS OF REFERENCE

Lead Consultant, Education Sector Plan Gender Analysis Tool for country level partners

  1. Background

The office of the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) Secretariat and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) are working together to ensure that All girls in countries successfully complete primary school and go to secondary school in a safe, supportive learning environment.

UNGEI is a multi-stakeholder partnership committed to improving the quality and availability of girls’ education and contributing to the empowerment of girls and women through transformative education. UNGEI strives to support governments and the international community to deliver on the gender-related EFA goals and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).UNICEF is the lead agency for UNGEI and the secretariat is housed at UNICEF headquarters in New York.

The Global Partnership for Education is a multi-stakeholder partnership of developing and donor countries, multilateral agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and private foundations supporting the education sector in developing countries, with a particular focus on accelerating progress toward the Education for All goals. The Secretariat of the GPE is hosted by the World Bank in Washington, DC.

Since the establishment of the GPE in 2002 then known as the Education for All Fast Track Initiative UNGEI has worked with the GPE to promote girls’ education in sector planning. Over the years, UNGEI has taken different approaches, with a primary focus on advocacy and technical support at the global level by the UNGEI Secretariat and through the work of UNGEI Regional Focal Points and partners at the country level. At the global level, UNGEI has promoted the incorporation of gender, equity and inclusion issues into the key GPE operating processes.[1]In 2005, UNGEI commissioned a gender review of the first 12 GPE countries, ‘Integrating Gender into Education For All Fast Track Initiative Processes and National Education Plans’. This highlighted the importance of a more systematic and consistent approach to GPE support for sector planning in general, and in particular more targeted efforts to address the needs of girls. In response, UNGEI facilitated the development of equity and inclusion tools to be mainstreamed across the GPE partner countries. The Guidelines released in 2010 as the Equity and Inclusion in Education Guide: to support education sector plan preparation, revision, and appraisal.

The recently approved 2012-2015 GPE Strategic Plan[2] identifies girls’ education as a priority. Objective 2 states: All girls in GPE-endorsed countries successfully complete primary school and go to secondary school in a safe, supportive learning environment. Government-developed gender-responsive education sector plans is the first expected outcome for Objective 2.The Strategic Plan identifies UNGEI as a key partner in supporting the implementation of this objective, through existing and new approaches.

In September 2012, the GPE Secretariat and the UNESCO International Institute for Education Planning (IIEP) released a draft version of the Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal. The purpose of these Guidelines is to assist countries in preparing credible Education Sector Plans (ESPs), and to guide development partners in appraising these ESPs. The GPE Secretariat is planning to finalize the Guidelines in the next few months. This consultancy will strengthen theGuidelines so they reflect gender concerns, as well as include an Annex for conducting a gender analysis.

  1. Purpose

To support existing and eligible GPE developing country partners in preparing gender responsive ESPs, UNGEI and the GPE are seeking the services of a lead consultant with the support of 3 national consultants to be recruited separately by the respective UNICEF offices to:

  • Strengthen the draft GPE Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal.
  • Produce an effective and practical gender analysis tool for use by Local Education Groups in the development, revision, and monitoring of their education sector plans. This tool will be consistent with and supplement the GPE Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal.
  • Identify capacity and resource gaps and recommend approaches to support Local Education Groups in gender responsive education sector planning, implementation and monitoring.
  1. Scope of Work

Phase 1: Guideline review and tool design

Review the GPE draft Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal and propose ways to strengthen processes for sector planning and monitoring as outlined in the Guidelines.

Review existing gender tools/guides designed for use at the country level in education sector planning/monitoringand assess their utility and areas for improvements.[3]Based on the findings from the review, develop an easy to use and targeted gender analysis tool. The tool will be informed by existing guidance for education sector planning and appraisaland will be included as an Annex in GPE’s Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal. Thefirst iteration of this tool will be reviewed by a small reference group organized by the UNGEI and GPE Secretariats.

It is expected that during Phase 1 and prior to the drafting of the new tool, the consultant would consult with a number of key informants involved with sector planning, appraisal and quality assurance, such as members of a Local Education Group (LEG) and the GPE Secretariat, for orientation on the use of the GPE Guidelines and suggestions on the format, presentation and content of the new tool. Recent GPE experience with gender analysis tools for sector planning should be taken into consideration as well as the responses from the GPE Local Education Group’s capacity questionnaire. The consultant may also wish to consult1-2 existing education sector plans as background documentation.

Phase 2: Field test and needs assessment

Lead consultant: The lead consultant would be responsible to design and lead a field pilot process with country level consultants to confirm the effectiveness and practicality of the tool in different country contexts. This would include: traveling to each of the 3 pilot countries, supporting UNICEF Regional or Country Offices to identify national consultants, orienting the national consultants,overseeing the research process, and using the test results to revise and finalize the gender analysis tool. Three countries in the process of sector planning/revision and/or preparing a GPE Implementation Grant Submission will be invited to participate in the field test. The sample will include one Francophone LIC, one Anglophone LIC and one Fragile State. The field test is likely to be integrated into an on-going sector plan development or monitoring process or other relevant meeting of the LEG.

Through the pilot test and in discussion with the GPE Country Support Team, UNGEI Regional Focal Points and others, the consultant would also identify the need for on-going support to Local Education Groups through capacity development or other resources.

The final report will include recommended approaches for strengthening Local Education Groups in gender responsive planning and monitoring including through the local technical resources, such as the UNGEI network. The final report will include a presentation to UNGEI and the GPE Secretariat on findings and recommendations via audio or video conferencing.

  1. Tasks/Deliverables

The selected lead consultantis expected to:

  1. Develop an easy to use and targeted gender analysis tool to inform country level education sector planning/monitoring, and supplement the GPE Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal;
  2. Design and lead a process to field test the draft tool in 3 GPE countries in collaboration with UNGEI and GPE;
  3. Revise and finalize the gender analysis tool based on pilot testing; and
  1. Identify capacity and other gaps and recommend approaches to support Local Education Groups in gender responsive education planning and monitoring,with specific recommendation for specific country contexts if appropriate.

Deliverables / Duration
(Estimated # of days)
Detailed work plan / 2
Review and suggested revision of GPE Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Preparation and Appraisal / 1
Identification, review and assessment of existing gender analysis tools and processes, with brief summary report / 5
Stakeholder consultation / 2
Draft fit-for-purpose gender analysis tool / 7
Final tool based on reference group input / 2
Pilot test design / 2
Pilot test including consultation with UNGEI, GPE, and Coordinating Agencies for the 3 countries, and orientation of local consultants / 29
Report of pilot test / 3
Final gender analysis tool / 3
Final report with recommendations for on-going support and capacity development for LEGS, including presentation to UNGI and GPE / 4

TOTAL

/ 60Days
  1. Proposed Resource Commitments

It is anticipated that the resource commitments for the Lead consultant would be as follows:

  • 60 person days for an international consultant
  • Travel costs for up to 3 international missions and 24-26 days DSA
  1. Time-line, working and other logistical arrangements:
  • The consultancy is for a period of 60days, starting from 1August 2013 and ending no later than 31 October 2013;
  • The consultancy is expected to be a remote arrangement rather than operating from within a UNGEI/UNICEF office and will rely on ICT to facilitate the consultancy;
  • The consultant is expected to travel as part of the consultancy;
  • The consultant is expected to work closely with the UNGEI and GPE Secretariats and a reference group comprising of key experts.
  1. Desired qualifications and competencies for lead consultant

We are looking for a gender and education expert with 8+ years of experience, with:

  • Academic qualifications: A master’s degree or higher in the field of education, international development, women’s studies and/or other related social sciences;
  • Desirable work experiencecountry level education sector planning and monitoring in developing country contexts, gender analysis preferably in the context of education, and capacity development; design and management of a pilot/field test or research, including the management of research team; experience in fragile and conflict affected states an asset
  • Issue expertise inthe analyses of gendered dimension of education processes ; and its relationship to broader gender and social inequalities in society; education policy, planning, capacity development and monitoring in developing countries
  • Fluency in the writing and speaking of English and French
  • Capacity to work independently yet with ability to share information, receive feedback and engage in dialogue with partners
  • Demonstrated excellence in clear, concise, influential writing on gender and education issues, especially in the form of guidance notes, toolkits and manuals;
  1. Application Process:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply at submit a cover letter andthree professional letters of recommendationby 31July 2013,5pm EST.

Applicants are also expected to provide writing samples of their work up to a maximum of 2. Please ensure that the samples reflect writing skills that are relevant to the advertised consultancy, namely ability to synthesize, analyze, and write concisely and with clarity. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without an expected daily rate will not be considered.

Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.

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.