TERMS OF REFERENCE – PRIVATE SCHOOL POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY

BACKGROUND

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) funded Education Sector Program Implementation Grant (ESPIG) is aligned with the priorities of the Federal Government of Somalia’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2018-2020). The overall grant objective is to increase access to quality education for 50,000 out-of–school children; enhance the quality of primary education; and improve the capacity of the MOECHE at Federal/Member States to regulate and manage the education sector. The grant is being implemented by the Federal Government of Somalia Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) in collaboration with the Federal Member States Ministries of Education in Jubaland State, South West State, Galmudug State, Hirshabelle State and Banaadir regional administration with CARE as the Grant Agent and Concern Worldwide as sub-contractor.

Private education service providers form the backbone of the Somali education sector and often complement Government service provision. In the past 7 years, the Government of Somalia strengthened its capacity to coordinate and monitor the provision of quality education to the Somali children and youth. A number of key milestones were achieved such as the establishment and approval of the new curriculum framework, nationalised examination and certification. As part of the on-going education sector strengthening efforts, the MoECHE plans to develop a private school policy through a highly consultative process with the participation of the education umbrellas, non-state actors and state level authorities. The aim is to develop a framework for minimum standards in service provision, monitoring and reporting arrangements, as well as clarifying the position of community schools within the system. The policy will cover school licensing, fee guidelines, curriculum implementation, and quality assurance.

SCOPE OF WORK AND BJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY:

The objectives of the consultancy will be to:

§ Review extensively all relevant government policies including those in drafts, reports, studies and surveys, and synthesize the information.

§ Assess the current frameworks/approaches of regulating the private education providers and suggest feasible recommendations.

§ Conduct initial national and state level consultations with all relevant stakeholders including education umbrellas, non-state actors, Federal Member States, and others.

§ Conduct sector wide consultations including scheduling Skype meeting with donors in Nairobi.

§ Debrief the relevant departments within the MoECHE on the outcome of the consultations.

§ Draft a policy for private education working closely with the relevant departments within the MoECHE.

§ Conduct and facilitate consultations with all relevant stakeholders on the draft private school policy.

§ Present the draft policy to the ESC for deliberation and validation.

§ Produce a finalised private school policy to be endorsed by the Government.

DELIVERABLES

The following outputs are expected:

§ An inception report elaborating the draft work plan. The inception report should include detailed and comprehensive tools and techniques to be used in capturing the information required/consultations.

§ An initial private school policy draft.

§ A final and comprehensive private school policy.

TIMEFRAME AND REPORTING LINE

The consultant will be engaged for 90 working days starting from 20 January 2020 to 20 20 May 2020. The consultant will be expected to work 6 days per week (Saturday to Thursday). The consultant will be based at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education and will report to the Director General at the MoECHE.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

§ A master’s degree in education policy and planning or equivalent.

§ Extensive experience in education policies and research.

§ Knowledge and experience of using participatory methodologies.

§ Knowledge and understanding of education management systems.

§ Understanding of education in a developing post-conflict country.

§ Proficiency in computer skills.

§ Excellent facilitation and report writing skills in the Somali and English languages.

§ Must be fluent in both Somali and English.

§ Must have an in depth understanding of the education system in Somalia.

§ Must have worked in the Somali context and education sector in particular.

Please submit copy of your CV and a short proposal (1 pager max) on the proposed methodology. Please also submit a financial proposal outlining the daily rate.