Ethiopia: M&E, education and TVET specialist for baseline study

I SUMMARY
ADRA Norway is looking for M&E, education and TVET specialist candidates or firms to design the baseline study of the Norad-funded education programme Strengthening Equity, Access and Quality in Education (SEAQE2) in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar. The programme focuses on two main sectors of intervention: education and TVET. Firms and candidates are invited to apply to either one or both sectors, as described in the objective section of this ToR. The deadline for submitting the application is 31 March 2019.

II. INTRODUCTION
ADRA Norway is one of the leading international education development organisations in Norway. Through our work, we strive to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, irrespective of their religious, political, social, ethical or national background. We have an integrated approach to education, building on the “whole school approach” that involves students, teachers, parents, the community and the government working together to enable all children to receive a quality and inclusive education. ADRA uses a rights-based approach where, through partnerships with children, women, their families, civil society and government, we support the voices of the excluded and marginalised to be heard on issues that affect them. This builds mutual understanding between the rights holder and the duty bearers and promotes the rights of vulnerable groups to fully participate in and benefit from their societies. ADRA Norway is a member of the international ADRA network with over 120 locally governed country offices, eight regional offices and an international network office.

SEAQE2: ADRA Norway is implementing a programme called Strengthening Equity, Access and Quality in Education (SEAQE2) in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar with financial support from Norad. SEAQE2 is a continuation and upgraded version of its first round programme (SEAQE), aiming to increase education opportunities for all children, including poor and marginalised children. This will be achieved by motivated teachers committed to child-centred teaching methodology; children achieving better learning outcomes in literacy, numeracy and life skills in an inclusive and safe educational environment; an active and engaged civil society which promotes equality and inclusion in education; and a strengthened local government which increasingly promotes inclusive and equitable education structures, policies and programming. Only Somalia (2 TVET centres), Myanmar (1 TVET centre) and Ethiopia (4 TVET centres).

III. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
ADRA Norway is seeking a consultant or team of consultants to design and conduct a baseline study for the SEAQE II programme to capture data that will benchmark monitoring, evaluation and learning in two key sectors: education and TVET. The purpose of the SEAQE2 programme baseline survey is to collect information on objective, outcome and output indicators to provide benchmark values for setting targets and refining the programme theory of change and objectives. The baseline values will provide a basis to measure progress, change and impact of the programme.

This baseline study will utilize context and performance analysis strategically linking to the nature of the indicators. For the performance analysis, consultants will utilize the ADRA Norway’s Effective Teaching and Learning Environment (ETLE) assessment; a quantifiable qualitative tool that monitors the quality of education and learning environment aspects of the programme. The context analysis will be required in order to analyse the quantitative nature of indicators as well as the current data in key areas of the programme.

The baseline study will inform education and TVET programming and support the ADRA SEAQE2 programme team and management to understand and monitor the progress and results of their education interventions in the region. The SEAQE2 programme has high demands in terms of the quantity and quality of evidence to be collected and used by multiple stakeholders, and will require a high level of rigour and investment to meet the MEAL standards expected.

IV. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The overall programmatic objectives of the baseline evaluation is:

• To establish a baseline sustainability score of the project at the community, school, and system levels with the data available and outline factors likely to hinder/support the sustainability of project activities and results to the extent possible;
• Assess the plausibility of the Theory of Change (ToC) by testing the causal link assumptions and contextual assumptions of barriers to education, examining whether the project interventions designed to overcome the stated barriers would lead to the achievement of the project impact and intermediate outcomes.
• To assess the project’s approach to addressing gender inequalities, whether the design is gender sensitive, how the project is promoting gender equality through its interventions, and which aspects are gender transformative; and
• Lastly, to provide recommendations and learning for the development of the project’s MEAL strategy as well as reflections on the project design, implementation, and sustainability arising from the baseline findings.

The specific and technical objectives may be found in the terms of reference.

V. METHODOLOGY
Comprehensive data is needed to measure the impact of ADRA’s inputs in SEAQE2 schools and TVET centres. The SEAQE baseline survey will utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data, ensuring in-depth analysis of status of objective, outcome and output indicators. Data collection methods will include document reviews of programme documents including the programme proposal, national and local development plans and education strategies, government statistics and annual school census reports, and education status reports for target regions; focus group discussions; ETLE tool, surveys; and key informant interviews with relevant partners and stakeholders.

As much as possible, the consultant should ensure the baseline survey is conducted in a participatory manner and that the exercise enables participating staff to gain useful data collection and analysis skills. Children, SMCs and PTAs, education officials and authorities, ADRA, and other stakeholders should be meaningfully and fully involved in the survey.

The consultant is expected to coordinate planning, data collector training, tool testing, data collection and analysis. The methodology to be proposed by the consultant in the technical proposal will be reviewed by the steering committee of the evaluation who will approve it before commencement of the assignment.

Baseline research methods must provide data that is sufficiently representative, detailed and accurate for the purpose of evaluation, particularly at the output and outcome level. The baseline study must provide baseline data for the programme’s log-frame objective, outcome and output indicators. As part of this baseline study and as an annex report, the consultant will also help to make recommendations on further refining SEAQE2 evaluation questions and developing key internal indicators for the evaluation questions. Where possible, a baseline also needs to be developed for these.

VI. ETHICAL PROTOCOLS
The design and implementation of the baseline must also take into account and abide by ADRA Norway’s strategic principles. This means, for example, ensuring our core stakeholders of vulnerable children, youth and women are at the centre of the research, that principles of gender equality, inclusion and non-discrimination are considered and acted upon throughout, and that the meaningful participation of children, youth and women and other key stakeholders is promoted in the design and implementation of the baseline.

The evaluation approach must consider the safety of participants and especially children at all stages of the evaluation. Furthermore, the assessment is required to be conducted in-line with ADRA Norway’s Child Protection Policy. The evaluation consultant/team will need to demonstrate how they have considered the protection of children through the different stages of the baseline evaluation, including recruitment and training of research staff, data collection and data analysis and report writing.

Bidders are required to set out their approach to research ethics and protocols in regards to ensuring complete compliance with international good practice particularly with regards to safeguarding children, vulnerable groups (including people with disabilities) and those in fragile and conflict affected states.

VII. TIMEFRAME
The baseline study has to be carried out between April 2019 and July 2019. The final report is due to ADRA Norway by 1st August, 2019.

The consultant or firms will propose an outline timeframe and indicative budget (in NOK or USD) in response to this TOR. However, it is anticipated that the total number of days work for this consultancy will be 60 days inclusive of all work and outputs.

VIII. SELECTION CRITERIA
The successful research partner will have a solid track record on the criteria below, with examples of evidence for each. The consultant must have:

General criteria

1. At least a Master’s Degree in Education or any related field in Social Sciences.
2. Demonstrable expertise on civil society, rights and gender equality
3. Thematic expertise in education. For those applying for the TVET component, expertise and previous experience in TVET is a must. A focus on marginalised children within education would be an added advantage
4. Geographic expertise in East Africa and South East Asia, with extensive experience in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and/or Myanmar being added advantage
5. Excellent working knowledge in English language.

Technical criteria

1. Experience in quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis
2. Experience in programme monitoring and evaluation systems, including those using participatory approaches and ‘hard to measure’ indicators
3. Evidence of strong downward accountability mechanisms used with programme stakeholders/research participants to actively share results and learning
4. Evidence of use of ethical considerations and methodological measures for conducting research with girls, women, boys, men and particularly those who might be disadvantaged and marginalized
5. Evidence of successfully designing and managing large-scale, rigorous and robust research processes and evaluations

Track record

1. Evidence of successful collaboration with NGOs, and particularly collaborations which included capacity building and capacity building with field office staff.
2. Experience meeting the demands of large institutional donor-funded programmes and coordinating activities with multiple stakeholders.
3. Evidence of producing high quality, published research.

IX. APPLICATION PROCESS
ADRA Norway invites applications from eligible and qualified individuals or organizations to undertake the work specified in this ToR. Interested parties should submit to ADRA Norway the following:

• A technical proposal responding to the ToR, with specific focus on addressing the Scope of Work, timeline, methodology and ethical protocols to be used;
• An initial work plan based on methodology outlined, and confirming availability of the applicant;
• Company or organization profile (where applicable) and CVs of consultant(s) who will deliver the work;
• A minimum of 3 references (organization or individual consultant as appropriate);
• Sample of a survey report produced by Consultant / Company within the last 3 years. Applicants who do not submit sample reports will not be considered
• Financial proposal or budget breakdown based on expected daily rates and initial work plan.

Further information and detailed terms of reference are available on ADRA Norway's website.

Applications via email clearly marked Proposals to conduct Baseline Study on SEAQE2 in the subject line should be submitted to the email addresses below by 17:00 hrs Norwegian time on 31 March 2019.

PLEASE NOTE: A consultancy team can apply for (1) all sectors (education and TVET) cited in this terms of reference (ToR) or (2) only education or only TVET.

Please send applications to: Mr Elidon Bardhi, Programme Director of ADRA Norway at: elidon.bardhi@adranorge.no. Please copy Mr Erik Eriksen (erik.eriksen@adranorge.no) and Mr Jonathan Telfer (jonathan.telfer@adranorge.no) on your correspondence.