Consultant - EARLY GRADE PROGRAMME RESEARCH Assistant Consultancy, Pretoria, South Africa, 11.5 Months (Remote Working)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, education

Purpose of Activity/Assignment****:

In continuing research into alternative ways of strengthening the teaching and learning of reading in Home Language and English First Additional (EFAL), the proposed EGRP is an integrated response that leverages the success evidenced by previous DBE-led impact studies and initiatives moving towards a whole system programmatic model of district implementation. Jointly funded by UNICEF, the Danish Hempel Foundation and the North West Department of Education in collaboration with the national DBE, the three-year intervention will roll out high-quality teacher professional development support across Grades 1 to 3 in all eligible Setswana Home Language non-fee paying primary schools of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (DR RSM) district from January 2021 through to December 2023. The Early Grade Reading Programme (EGRP) intervention involves the provision of a structured reading programme as the base programme for all eligible schools. This is further layered with innovative coaching models implemented in 80 priority schools to improve the teaching practice of reading. Ultimately, the improvement of reading outcomes of Foundation Phase learners in both Setswana Home Language and EFAL is expected.

UNICEF SOUTH AFRICA, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) seeks applicants for the position of national project associate for the (EGRP), to be based at the DBE Pretoria offices full-time to act as the key coordinating unit amongst all parties.

How can you make a difference?

SCOPE OF WORK:

The incumbent will be embedded in the DBE’s Research Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation unit with dual reporting to the UNICEF and DBE for the duration of the assignment.

Overall Purpose and Objectives:

To support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the EGRP across the district of Dr R S Mompati in the North West.

• To support and provide project management and monitoring – 50%.
• Lead report writing and stakeholder communication – 15%.
• Undertake periodic data cleaning, analysis and support of research and M&E goals – 15%.
• Enable capacity building and knowledge management of DBE officials – 5%.
• Assist in the overall Reading Improvement Plan implementation and other designated tasks as required to support the DBE – 15%.

Activities and Tasks:

I. Project management and monitoring

With oversight from a Project Management Team, the Project Associate will be responsible for coordination and communication amongst all stakeholders in the project: Donors, the data collection agency, the service provider for the interventions, and the Provincial Education Department as well as schools where necessary.

This may include but is not limited to:

Conducting routine monitoring and evaluation of project compliance and progress by reviewing work plans and reports, conducting site visits, and maintaining ongoing contact with implementing partners.

Arranging project management meetings, steering committee meetings, and other meetings with stakeholders.

• Trips to project sites (schools and training venues) to monitor project activities, about 4 days a month.
• Leading stakeholder engagement such as drafting letters and completing calls between stakeholders, e.g. from DBE to provincial education departments, or to school principals.
• Monitoring contractual obligations between various stakeholders and service providers and advising the Project Management Team of any arising issues to be aware of.
• Undertaking regular analyses of the financial information of project activities, including disbursements from donors to the fund management facility and from the fund managers to the service providers.
• Planning and organizing activities for fieldwork: including scheduling, booking accommodation and car hire, arranging contracts and payments to fieldworkers; and
• Asset record keeping and ensuring all documentation is filed correctly and timeously.

II. Report writing and communication

• The Project Associate will be responsible for drafting project progress reports to donors, partners and the Project Management Team to satisfy each organization's particular reporting requirements.

Responsibilities in this area will include:

• Assisting with applications for funding.
• Drafting progress reports to donors, partners and the Project Management Team.
• Summarizing financial reports obtained from the fund manager and incorporating these into reports to donors.
• Contribute to writing the research reports on data collected from the project.
• Lead a communication plan on the various components of the work including drafting pamphlets and other promotional content, developing and updating the DBE website on the project; and initiating and participating in advocacy efforts with various campaigns including the Read to Lead campaign.

III. Data cleaning and analysis

• The evaluation side of the project will generate a considerable amount of learner performance data and background information about schools, teachers and parents. This will inform the research and evaluation component of the project. The DBE in collaboration with external researchers is responsible for the data analysis and impact evaluation reports. However, support is required with the data cleaning and analysis from the Project Associate.

Illustrative examples of tasks include:

• Transferring data between statistical packages, such as Microsoft Excel, STATA and SPSS.
• Deriving new variables, such as reading test scores.
• Conducting data integrity checks, e.g. investigating patterns indicating fieldworker fraud.
• Analysis of data, ranging from descriptive analysis to running multivariate regression.
• Preparing data and user manuals for public release of the data.

• Investigating various platforms and formats for the public release of the project data.

  IV. Supporting Capacity building of DBE staff and other Duties

• The Project Associate will work in the Research Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and will work closely with other members of this unit. The Project Associate should assist junior research staff of the DBE with research and/or writing skills on an informal basis and through formal sessions on data analysis methods.

V. Support overall Reading Improvement Plan implementation and other designated tasks as required to support the DBE

• The Project Associate will respond flexibly to other work-related tasks at the discretion of the supervisor. These may include:
• Supporting the overall approved Reading Improvement Plan implementation including supporting the implementation of a coaching course.
• Attending meetings related to the project.
• Making presentations on behalf of the project team.
• Reading and summarizing literature relevant to the EGRS; and
• Supporting other Early Grade Reading research and M&E activities of the DBE

VI. Personal research output (Optional; in personal time)

• The Project Associate may, with the consent of the DBE and subject to the Ethical Approvals and Intellectual Property agreements pertaining to the EGRS, use data and experiences from the EGRS for his/her own research work if, for example, the Associate is studying towards a Masters or Doctoral degree.

Work Assignment Overview:

Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Timeline

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Dec 2021

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Jan 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Febr 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Mar 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Apr 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor May 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Jun 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Jul 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Aug 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Sept 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Oct 2022

As per the activities and tasks above Monthly Report Signed by the DBE Supervisor Nov 2022

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A Matric or equivalent. A Bachelor's Degree or equivalent formal education qualification will be an advantage. Qualifications in a field relevant to development, public management, education, or applied linguistics will be an advantage. An Honors or master’s degree in a related field is highly desirable.
• At least three years prior work experience is required ideally in research institutions, universities, NGOs working in the education sector, or working with or for the South African government is preferable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Proficiency in other South African official languages is desired, but not required. English language written skills will be evaluated in the initial review of an applicant's submission by a review of the Cover Letter and of the CV itself. In addition, a written assessment will be administered as part of the interview process. In addition, oral English skills will be evaluated in the interview phase.
• Demonstrable understanding of the education sector in South Africa. The candidate should also be able to demonstrate understanding of social research methods such as sample surveys and impact evaluation methods.
• Working knowledge of statistical software used for analysis of large datasets would be an advantage. A broad knowledge of basic computer applications, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and email software is necessary. The ability to work in Microsoft Excel is required. The ability to work in other statistical packages such as SPSS or STATA will be strongly advantageous; and
• Capability of working independently on several tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision.
• A valid driver’s license and a willingness to travel for project purposes. Travel costs will be compensated for.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=545910 by 19 November 2021.

This notice will also appear on http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/, http://www.unicef.org/southafrica, UN Job List, UN Jobs

Please indicate your ability, availability, and daily/monthly rate (in ZAR) to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.