Individual Consultancy: Assessment of the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and its implementation Programme

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy Monitoring & Evaluation

Overview

Conduct evaluability assessment of Education 2030 strategy implementation.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences is required (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work.
• Minimum four years of progressively responsible professional experience in substantive programming and research on education, inclusion, etc.
• Strong Results Based Management (RBM) and evaluation skills.
• Experience in working with international organizations, especially UNICEF or other UN agencies.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Knowledge of Romanian will be an asset.
• Strong writing and communication skills, especially in team environments.
• Ability to work independently with confidence and self-motivation.
• Highly organized and proactive with timely production of materials.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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

This Consultancy is developed for an Assessment of the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and its implementation Program for the years 2023-2025 [1] (hereinafter 2023-2025 Programme), from evaluability perspective to identify appropriate methodology and type of evaluation to be conducted in 2025. The assessment aims to look at the extent to which national education sector’s reforms in Moldova are evaluable and can be evaluated in a reliable and credible fashion.

‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and 2023-2025 Programme were approved on 7 March 2023.[2] In line with ‘European Moldova 2030’ National Development Strategy approved in October 2022[3], the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and implementation Programme aim at developing a National Education System, able to provide high quality, inclusive and fair education to all children/pupils/students/adults during their entire lives, at all levels of the education system, in various formal/non-formal/informal environments.

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[1] Government Decision on approval of the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and implementation Programme for the years 2023-2025

[2] Ministry of Education and Research https://mecc.gov.md/ro/content/guvernul-aprobat-strategia-de-dezvoltare-educatia-2030

[3] National Development Strategy “European Moldova 2030” approved by the Parliament.

How can you make a difference?

This Assessment will explore of the extent to which ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and its implementation Programme 2023-2025 can be evaluated in a reliable and credible fashion.[1] The Assessment is planned to be conducted during ‘early programme implementation’ , it will highlight main areas of concern to allow for course correction at the mid-term review point of the Education Strategy 2030 and implementation Programme 2023-2025 in line with UNICEF Evaluability Assessment Guidance [2]

The following evaluability parameter and key questions will be taken into consideration while conducting Evaluability Assessment:

Evaluability Parameter

Key questions

Assess the, relevance logic and coherence of results structures, alignment to country context and coherence of the sector programme/ country programme

Do the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and its implementation Programme 2023-2025 have a clear theory of change/logic model? Does it address the problems identified?

Is the results framework of the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and its implementation Programme 2023-2025 coherently articulated and aligned to country context and national priorities? Do the outputs, outcomes and overall goal follow the result chain logic?

The results chains are coherent, logical, with clearly articulated statements

Are results statements and the results framework taking into account equity considerations to programming and gender-responsive?

Are the results clear and realistic? Are they measurable (quantitatively or qualitatively)?

Are intended beneficiary groups clearly identified?

To what extent are results and indicators measurable?

How well have key assumptions, risks and mitigation strategies been specified?

Have assumptions about the role of partners, government and UNICEF been made explicit?

Are there plausible plans to monitor these in any practicable way?

Assess the adequacy and validity of the indicators, tools and systems for monitoring, measuring and verifying results

Do the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and implementation Programme 2023-2025 have capacity to provide data for monitoring and evaluation?

Are baselines in place for indicators?

Do the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and its implementation Programme 2023-2025 have a monitoring system to gather and systematize the information with defined responsibilities, sources and periodicity?

Do indicators and targets take into consideration equity considerations to programming?

Are indicators and targets gender-responsive?

What are the likely costs of such data collection and analysis (dollar costs in terms of the time of evaluation staff, programme managers and staff and partners)?

Is there a complete set of documents available? Are these documents accessible and well organized?

Is there a viable plan to fill data gaps?

Assess adequacy of financial resources to meet the expected results

Are the resources aligned with the results?

Are data and systems in place to allow the Government and UNICEF to assess the adequacy of resources to achieve intended results?

Are there resources set aside for evaluation?

Planning Evaluations

Is there demand for evaluation? If not, why? And are demands realistic given programme design, budget and data availability?

Is there adequate, monitoring, evaluation and learning in place for the sector programme/country programme to be evaluated?

Does the ‘Education 2030’ Development Strategy and implementation Programme 2023-2025 include a clear plan and budget for evaluation? Is it clear who will manage the evaluation?

Accountabilities, related duties/tasks and expected results

The consultant will review existing documents and conduct interviews with relevant UNICEF staff and government partners to tailor evaluability assessment checklist [3] to the current assignment to provide the answers on the following:

1. Programme Design (as described in a Theory of Change, Logical Framework or narrative) – clarity, relevance, validity and reliability etc.;

2. Information availability - availability of set of documents, baseline measures, indicators, gender disaggregation etc.;

3. Institutional context (practicality and utility).

Based on the above, evaluation methodology and type will be recommended for the future country-led evaluation that will be reflected in respective ToR. As the result of this exercise an Assessment report will be developed to reflect key findings and recommendations ( Evaluation ToR will be presented in an Annex). The report will be validated with UNICEF and the Government: the Ministry of Education and Research and the State Chancellery of the Government of Moldova.

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[1] DFID Working paper, Rick Davies ‘Evaluability Assessment’

[2] Evaluability Assessments Guidance.pdf (unicef.org)

[3] An evaluability assessment checklist, Rick Davis

Reporting

The Consultant will work under direct supervision of the UNICEF Moldova Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist and in collaboration with the Education Specialist. UNICEF will regularly communicate with the Consultant and provide feedback on deliverables performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the assignment, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the Consultant performance and the quality of work. All the activities and deliverables undertaken by the Consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF.

All products will be subject to UNICEF review before approval. All deliverables need to be submitted in electronic format (Word, Excel, Visual etc,) in English.

Work location, official travel involved and support provided by UNICEF

Considering the time period for implementation of the assignment, majority of the planned tasks could be done remotely, while face-to-face meetings will also be possible. Office space will not be provided.

UNICEF will provide the Consultant with relevant policies, documents, reports etc. , as well as facilitate the contact with relevant stakeholders and partners. UNICEF will ensure timely feedback to all deliverables to be presented by the Consultant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the social sciences is required (i.e. sociology, demography, psychology, political science, social policy or economics), public policy, public administration, international development, or in an area relevant to UNICEF’s sectoral work (e.g. Education, Social Inclusion etc.);

Knowledge / Experience:

• Minimum four years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led substantive programming and research on education, inclusion etc.;
• Strong Results Based Management (RBM) and evaluation skills, particularly in evaluation of national programmes, designing and managing results-based programmes/projects on education, inclusion or any other cross cutting programmes;
• Experience in working with international organizations (working with UNICEF/other UN Agencies highly preferred);

Language Proficiency:

• Excellence communication skills in English;
• Knowledge of Romanian will be an asset;

Skills:

• Strong writing and communication skills especially in team environments, highly preferred;
• Ability to work independently with confidence and self-motivation, necessary;
• Highly organized and proactive with timely production of materials, necessary.

For every Child, you demonstrate

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

2023_ToR_Indiv Consultancy_Evaluability Assessment Education Strategy 2030_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system, with copy of academic credentials;
• CV;

• Financial proposal (template below), will include rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference, as well translation, travel and other costs if relevant;

  Financial Offer.xlsx

• Indication of your availability to undertake the consultancy assignment.

Remarks:

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

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org