Opportunities to Learn (OTL) project in Borno and Yobe States. Terms of Reference (TOR) for Endlin

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Project Description

USAID’s Opportunity to Learn (OTL) activity aims to address the immediate education needs of out-of-school children (OOSC) and youth in up to 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs), in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, through safer new and existing non-formal education, while laying the groundwork for sustainable improvement of education systems at the community and government levels. The OTL goal is to ensure OOSC and youth in Northeastern Nigeria are safely able to gain foundational skills, including literacy, numeracy, and social and emotional skills, to progress to higher levels of education, training, and/or engagement in the workforce. This will be achieved through:

- ● Direct services provision the of Accelerated Basic Education Program (ABEP) for out-of-school children (OOSC) aged 10 - 15 (those aged nine will be referred for formal school enrollment); - ● Training and capacity building for learning facilitators and administrators of ABEP centers. - ● Direct disbursement of furnishings and learning materials to ABEP centers, and - ● Advocacy at the state and community level for greater support to non-formal education

Purpose and Scope of the Endline Survey

The purpose of this survey is to gather the information that will serve as an endline assessment for literacy and numeracy skills (via EGRA/EGMA) as proposed in the project document, while also gathering information that will enable the OTL consortium partners to improve implementation in the subsequent year.

The endline is expected to start from the 28th of August through 28th of October 2023 across Borno and Yobe states selected centers.

The table below includes indicators to be assessed per result areas:

#

Indicator

1

ES.1-54: Percent of individuals with improved reading skills following participation in USG-assisted programs

2

ES 1-2: Percent of learners targeted for USG assistance who attain minimum grade-level proficiency in reading at the end of primary school

3

Supp-5: Percent of learners targeted for USG assistance who attain minimum grade-level proficiency in math at the end of primary school

Methodology

The consortium recommends a mixed-methods approach that can quantify and qualify project results and achievements over time. Consultants are advised to recommend the most appropriate approaches and tools for the assignment. Nevertheless, the final methodology will be agreed upon with the OTL, USAID and other stakeholders (LFs, MTs, SUBEB, SAME, etc.) involved and will be contingent upon the listed tasks, recommendations, and tools. The endline survey process will be carried out in accordance with USAID principles and guidelines. The survey team should propose its own methodology, which may include:

- Desk review of all relevant documentation. This would include a review of the project proposal, Year One (EGRA, EGMA assessment report, USAID PIRS, and AMELP). - Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders. This would include a representative sample of project beneficiaries (SUBEB/SAME representatives, LGEA representatives, LFs (both at formal schools and NFLCs), Headteachers, OOS girls, and OOS boys, NFLC girls and boys, children with disabilities (and their caregivers), CBMCs and/or SBMCs, youth organization leaders. - Survey with sample and sampling frame. This could include the sample size and characteristics; the sample selection criteria; the process for selecting the sample (e.g., random sampling, purposive); if applicable, the extent to which the sample is representative of the entire target population, gender representation, including data on socio-economic status and resources of learners/households, home language spoken, previous formal/non-formal education experience, NFLC's, LGA, limitations of the sample for generalizing results.

The adopted methodology and the composition of the team should reflect a deep understanding of the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA).

Data collection and management

OTL expects a balanced use of both quantitative and qualitative methods to better understand and address learning center needs. Quantitative data should be rigorously analyzed and representative of project locations within reasonable limits. Qualitative data should also be carefully analyzed and should focus on developing a deeper understanding of the EGRA/EGMA results.

During data collection, the enumerators must establish their presence at the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) to ensure effective coordination and collaboration. Additionally, to maintain the highest level of data quality, OTL proposes MEL staff and community youth organizations working on the project to participate in pre-data collection training and accompany the assessors during visits to the schools.

Expected Deliverables

This consultancy takes place during the week of the final class assessment- starting from the 5th September 2023. The final report is expected to be submitted no later than the 28th of October 2023. The following deliverables are expected:

Inception Report: To ensure the Consultant/s understands the Terms of Reference, the Consultant/s will prepare and share an inception report with OTL team and USAID for reviews and comments. The inception report detailing the Consultant’s understanding of the evaluation and how the evaluation questions will be addressed. The inception report will include a simple evaluation matrix summarizing the endline design, EGRA/EGMA and other identified indicator(s) questions, data sources and collection analysis tools for each data source, and the measure by which each question will be assessed. The inception report should also include the scope of work, work plan, and responsibilities for each task should be clearly outlined. The inception report will be discussed and agreed upon with all stakeholders (OTL and USAID).

Workshop with OTL and USAID team: The Consultant/s will conduct a one-day workshop with the OTL team to present and validate preliminary findings in Abuja. And:

- Highlights of field findings, lessons learned, and best practices that can guide future program implementation. - Recommendation to inform and/or improve OTL team programming in Borno and Yobe with clear action points.

The final report (not to exceed 20 pages + annexes): The final report is expected to be shared i n the third week of the assessment period. The content and the structure of the final analytical report with findings, recommendations, and lessons learned covering the scope of the endline should meet the requirements of the IRC MEAL Policy and should include the following:

- - Executive summary - - Introduction (Project background information) - - Description of the survey methodology (in annex) - - Key findings, including best practices and lessons learned. - - Conclusion and recommendations - - Appendices: charts, terms of reference, field visits pictures, people interviewed, documents reviewed - - A one pager infographic showing key results and comparisons with the baseline. - - A power point presentation with detailed metrics and figures with clear data comparing baseline and endline results.

The final report should include a section showing how DEIA issues were addressed during the process of designing and implementing the endline.

Ethics and Consideration

Informed consent

IRC is committed to complying with privacy and data protection laws including the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). IRC’s Data Protection Policy sets out the principles that IRC applies when handling individuals’ personal information. Any consultant offered a contract with the IRC is expected to be GDPR compliant when handling individuals’ personal information.

Consent is gathered for the purpose of gaining permission to capture someone’s story or image, and document how the image and story can and cannot be used. IRC has Consent Guidelines and documentation that must be used when gathering any content which may later be used.

Safeguarding and code of conduct

In addition, IRC has a Safeguarding Framework that includes Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of program participants and to clarify the responsibilities of IRC staff, visitors to the program, and partner organizations, and the standards of behavior expected of them. We have the responsibility to ensure that any persons hired or consulted during the process are made familiar with the policies and commit to abide by them during the execution of this work. Any consultant offered a contract with IRC will be expected to sign the Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy as an appendix to their contract. By doing so, consultants acknowledge that they have understood the contents of policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.

The team of consultants must show how they will address DEIA issues throughout the process.

Duty station and general conditions

▪ The duty station of the work will be in Maiduguri, Borno state. However, the Consultant/s will be required to travel to project sites in Yobe states (where security conditions allow).

▪ While in the field, the Consultant/s will be required to abide by IRC security protocols and guidelines.

▪ While in the field, the Consultant/s will be provided with security briefings by the field security focal person.

▪ The Consultant/s will conduct their work using their own computer equipment.

▪ Terms of payment will be negotiated upon acceptance of the consultancy.

▪ The total budget for the consultancy will include VAT as/if required by national regulations.

▪ Final payment to the Consultant/s will be remitted upon satisfactory submission of agreed deliverables.

Payment Schedule

- ● 20% on submission of an inception report - ● 30% on completion and sharing of all data collection and analysis findings. - ● 50% on submission and approval of the final report

Profile of Consultant****/****s

To the greatest extent possible, the survey team should consist of diverse backgrounds and experience in multi-sectoral programs. The Consultant/s must have extensive experience in education programming in active conflict and/or post-conflict settings. Preferably, the Consultant/s must also have substantial knowledge of the context dynamic of Northeast Nigeria.

T OTL welcomes expressions of interest from seasoned consultants, individuals or firms in academia, social research, or humanitarian evaluation with a background in humanitarian aid, education in emergency, adult and non-formal education/learning setting, research methods, development economics, development studies, or other related fields.

The lead Consultant should possess:

• Master’s degree or higher in education, research methods, development, international relations, or humanitarian work.

• Extensive experience in conducting educational assessment-EGRA/EGMA, or SEGRA/SEGMA ideally leading an evaluation team, and experience in designing endline methodology/tools and data analysis.

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in research and or evaluations of humanitarian assistance programs, preferably those with protection programming elements.

• Demonstrable expertise in the applications of EiE study/evaluation protocols

• Experience in working or evaluating projects in an insecure humanitarian environment.

• In-depth knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods

• Excellent analytical, presentation, and writing skills in English.

• MUST possess a proficient skill set in interpreting the end-line data using the Global Proficiency Framework

• Must possess good knowledge of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility principles and how to include them in the evaluation process.

• The full team of consultants must reflect the needed diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity, etc…

Timeframe

This consultancy assignment is anticipated to start on the 28th of August 2023. The entire exercise will be for 30 days - including final report submission. The deadline for submission of the financial proposals and accompanying documents is through the 28th of September 2023.

Qualifications

Expression of interest applications should include:

- Proposal with a clear understanding and interpretation of the ToR, including detailed tasks, recommended methodology summary and proposed schedule, relevant experience, how you meet the profile required, and details of time required (maximum 5 pages). - Financial proposal, including daily professional fee and any other associated costs for the assignment. The consultant should itemize all costs for the duration of the assignment, lumped-up costs will not be accepted in the financial proposal. All costs need to be clearly stated in the proposal submission. - CVs of prospective consultants. - All applications should be sent to: [email protected]

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality****: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

**Working Environment*****:*** This position is based in Maiduguri.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit, without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.