Local Consultant to assess enrolment and dropout rates following school reopening in Botswana. Gaborone, Botswana (53 days) Opened to local consultants only

Contract

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment: UNICEF Botswana works with the Ministry of Basic Education in addressing access to and quality of education. In 2020, UNICEF supported the ministry in its response to COVID-19 in schools. This was in line with the Ministry’s response plan to COVID-19. Despite not having a history of emergencies, Botswana is credited for being amongst the leading countries globally to reopen schools in safe environments during this pandemic. Following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Botswana in March 2020, the Government closed all educational institutions, with effect from 23rd March 2020. In June 2020, the Government implemented a phased reopening of schools amidst the pandemic by observing COVID-19 protocols for safe schools’ environments and thus instituted a two-shift learning system in all primary schools. The return to school formula encompassed strict adherence to reopening schools' protocols outlined by the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW). However, all learning institutions for pre- scholars and children with disabilities remained closed until October/November 2020. According to the Rapid Assessment on the Safe and Inclusive School Reopening and Enrolment in Botswana During COVID-19 conducted with the support of UNICEF Botswana and UNICEF-ESARO, 46.3% of sampled students indicated that they wished schools had not reopened in June of 2020, citing that COVID-19 was still rampant and resources were limited to combat its spread. Despite efforts to ensure schools were safe and compliance of COVID-19 protocols, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development does not know/has not assessed what proportion of students actually returned to school in June 2020. This is against the backdrop of anecdotal evidence of increased sexual abuse of children during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and parental/caregiver fears of students being unsafe in schools during a period of increased virus transmission Against this background, UNICEF Botswana is looking to engage a consultant to estimate the proportion of students who returned to school following safe school reopening in June 2020 after closing for more than two months due to COVID-19 transmission mitigation measures. Additionally, the consultant will also be tasked with determining dropout rates since return to school up until the period of first term 2022. The consultant will be expected to travel to the ten (10) education regions to collect secondary data from the regional offices.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Education Specialist and the Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, the consultant will conduct a study to estimate the proportion of students who returned to school following safe schools’ reopening in June 2020 and to determine dropout rates between June 2020 until first term 2022. The study will specifically determine the following:

1. The number of students enrolled/ in attendance in sampled schools in March of 2020 just before school closure 2. The number of students that returned to sampled schools in June of 2020 following school reopening 3. Estimate the proportion that returned to school in June 2020 4. Assess dropout rates from June 2020 to first term 2022 and based on availability of data create profiles of learners who have dropped out/not returned to school

To address the goal and objectives mentioned above, the consultant will be required to undertake the following specific tasks:

• Prepare and finalize an inception report/study proposal on how the assignment will be carried out, including a detailed work plan and methodology

• Through UNICEF Botswana submit inception report/study proposal for approval by the Ministry’s Department of Education Planning and Research Services and issuance of a study permit • Conduct data collection activities including, but not limited to secondary data collection and report reviews • Develop and implement a survey tool to collection information from teachers and education regional staff to get more insight into factors associated with school dropout. • Undertake data analysis and maintain a database to share with technical working group (TWG) • Draft report of findings and validate findings with the TWG • Incorporate feedback and finalize report for dissemination

Work Assignment Overview: The consultant will work under the UNICEF Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and Education Specialist's direct supervision and in close collaboration with the Director of Education Planning and Research Services. A Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising representation from the Ministry of Basic Education and UNICEF will be set up. The TWG will guide the consultant during the assignment.

Deliverables

Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs:****Timeline Estimate****Payment scheduleDraft inception report with a workplan and submit proposal of study permitFinal and approved Inception Report/study proposal with detailed methodology and work plan • Submission of study proposal for approval and issuance of a study permit10 days20%Conduct fieldwork • Finalize logistics for carrying out fieldwork (3 days) • Data collection

• Fieldwork report and Preliminary Findings33 days40%Finalize study report • Present draft study report findings to stakeholders • Incorporate all review comments • Submit a report for final review

• Approved and final study report10 days 40%To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

• Advanced Degree (Masters) or higher degree in Education, Economics, statistics or any related social science field. First degree (BA/BSc) in related fields with considerable experience (10 years or more) in conducting research and studies will be considered.

Experience

a) At least 5 years of practical experience in conducting research and studies. b) Demonstrated skills in design of data collection tools and data collection methods c) Demonstrated research and analytical skills and the ability to synthesize large amounts of data. d) Ability to work with various stakeholder groups, facilitating stakeholder meetings and consensus-building. e) Demonstrated ability to effectively cooperate with the Government and other stakeholders. f) Exhibit strong oral and written communication skills in English. g) Demonstrated skills in report writing

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).