Consultancy: Desk Review of policy instruments, CESA 16-25 indicator framework

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) Duty Station: Dakar Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : External candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 19-Aug-2021 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) plays a critical role in the Education 2030 Agenda by producing cross-nationally-comparable education indicators and working with partners to develop new indicators, methodologies, statistical approaches and monitoring tools to better assess progress towards the international education targets. It is the designated lead agency for producing the indicators needed to track global progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), while sharing responsibility for some targets with other agencies. At the Pan African Conference on Education (PACE 2018) in Nairobi, Member States committed to “Strengthening mechanisms, including EMIS, for data collection, analysis, dissemination and use at the national level and data reporting at the regional, continental and global levels for monitoring of progress toward CESA 16‐25 and SDG4‐ Education 2030. Since April 2018, The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) and the Pan African Institute of Education for Development of the African Union (IPED/AU) have undertaken several a number of consultations and initiatives in order to put in place a functional joint monitoring and reporting framework for both CESA and SDG4. The intention is to produce a series of joint AU-UNESCO continental monitoring reports to understand where member states stand as well as thematic reports (Spotlight Reports) to organize and frame the policy dialogue and learning among peers . Critical to the regional reporting will be a comparison of indicators and the creation of a benchmarking tool based on a voluntary and active collaboration between several organizations to create an emulation and to apply the best practices. This implies that the indicators need to address Inclusion, Continuous accountability and Availability over time in series data . Benchmarks will improve outcomes through enhanced alignment, commitment from countries and regional bodies, monitoring where bottlenecks and low performance exists and improved accountability for the provision of targeted support based on evidence. Currently, CESA and SDG4 have 17 common indicators. A number of SDG4 indicators can also be used as proxies to CESA. However, several CESA policy indicators require a desk review and quantitative analysis to ensure their feasibility as valid, comprehensive and meaningful indicators suitable for informing on the progress and achievement of CESA/SDG4 objectives. Eight CESA indicators refer to the existence of a policy or national strategy, which in itself is not a measure of what countries implement. In an effort to increase their policy impact, UIS and IPED are looking for the services of a consultant, to produce an analytical report assessing these 8 indicators in terms of improving their monitoring value for measuring increased access, quality of learning outcomes, equity and cost efficiency of the policy areas they are addressing. In addition to providing a generic literature review on these 8 policy areas in terms of their contribution to the CESA objectives, the consultant is expected to propose recommendations on modifications or substitutions for these indicators taking into consideration the parameters mentioned above as well as their likely coverage at national levels. SCOPE OF WORK ------------- **Scope of work** - Report of content analysis of policies. The policy areas of interest are reflected by each of the eight CESA indicators below. The report on the policy areas will be concise in a maximum of 10 pages each. **CESA Indicator** - 1.3 Existence of operational teacher development policy - 2.3 Existence of a national safe school policy - 4.2 Existence of a National Qualifications Framework - 8.5 State of National TVET policies and governance structures - 10.1 Existence of National Strategies to ensure the continuation of education during humanitarian situations, emergency situations such as armed conflict and support the reestablishment of educational facilities. - 10.2 Existence of National education policies to address psychosocial support, disaster risk reduction and other systems/mechanisms to protect education from attacks and support for rehabilitation of school infrastructure - 12.1 Existence of School Management Committee Policy - A.1 Existence of African Language Policy - 9.6 (proxy): Existence of tertiary education accreditation Long Description ---------------- ***Work Assignment Overview*** The consultant will conduct the following key activities to ensure that the report reflects the situation of the African countries: - Develop appropriate evaluation grids to guide the content analysis of the policy instruments, which clearly identify what issues are expected to be covered in a standard policy instrument, taking in consideration the issues that are relevant to the African context and CESA objectives - Collate the policy instruments available in Member States and alternative sources. UIS and IPED will support this exercise through their respective networks in the countries - Conduct the desk review of those policy instruments. **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Building partnerships (M) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- ***Education*** - Master’s degree in education with a concentration in education policies, or a master’s in public policies or in social sciences. ***Experience*** - Minimum of 8 years of professional work experience in the design or analysis of public policies particularly in education. - Experience in Education policy development, organizing and managing of Education programmes preferably in several countries. - Good knowledge of Education systems in Africa, and good understanding of the educational and labour market issues in the Region. - Proven expertise in the working in the African context and in the area of education. ***Skills/competencies*** - Ability to identify key strategic issues, objectives, opportunities and risks. - Ability to translate strategy into priorities and action. - Strong quantitative, qualitative, and policy analysis, analytical/technical skills in economics and problem-solving skills. - Ability to build, develop, and maintain partnerships, and to coordinate, negotiate and deal with partners and networks in private and public sectors. - Proven ability to support policy dialogue with government agencies (e.g., Ministry of Education), and with other stakeholders. - Demonstrated ability to manage process of normative systematization, planning instruments and national experiences. - Proven work experience (as staff or consultant) in educational planning offices of the National Ministries of Education and / or government agencies in charge of relevant aspects of educational planning and financing of education. - Current knowledge of the global development agenda. - Familiarity with policy research methodology and analytics. - Experience with and a good knowledge of the UN system policies, practices and procedures is desirable. - Proactive attitude to challenges and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements. - Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing, with strong representation skills. - Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software. ***Languages*** - Excellent knowledge of English and French. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now”, then download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information (As a part of the Technical Proposal) in English( \* Upon completing the Word file with all the requested information above, upload the file at the “My Employment History Form / My Documents” section of the online application form. Only applications with the above requested information will be considered). I. A statement indicating how your qualifications and experience make you suitable for the assignment. II. A Technical Written proposal consisting of: - A description of your proposed approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment. - A work plan with detailed milestones and key deliverables/activities as per the terms of reference. - Comments on the Terms of Reference, if any (in brief). - An up to date curriculum vitae (CV). - The amount to be charged for the assignment per day and per month. Any travel and subsistence requirements should be indicated separately. III. Please design your payment scheme against clear and specific set of deliverables and milestones as reflected in your work plan. IV. Please provide a list of work assignments and THREE (03) contacts as references as part of the submission. V. The proposal must be in English or French. Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.