Expression of Interest Opportunity at Save the Children International

Terms of reference
Title of the assignment: Technical Support to School-based Management (SBM) Development at the Federal and Six States

Duration and dates of the assignment: Up to days (38) from July 2015 to July 2016

Background
The Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), funded by UKaid from the Department for International Development, aims to have a sustainable impact upon the way in which government in Nigeria delivers education services. It is directed at enabling institutions to bring about systemic change in the education system, leveraging Nigerian resources in support of State and Federal Education Sector Plans and building capacity to continuously improve education access, equity and quality. After six years (2008-2014) of implementation as part of a suite of DFID programmes to support better governance and the delivery of basic services, ESSPIN has been extended for two and half years (August 2014-January 2017) based on evidence of its cost-effectiveness in supporting basic education reform anchored on a School Improvement Programme (SIP) pilot and rollout in the six focus states of Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Jigawa, Lagos and Enugu and support to the federal level.

In the extension period, the programme is continuing support to consolidate and deepen basic education reforms and improve on the results of the SIP in enhancing school management and governance, inclusiveness of schools, teaching quality, pupil attendance and learning outcomes in its six partner states. Where requested, ESSPIN will also continue engaging at the Federal level with support for the establishment and implementation of national systems for Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Quality Assurance (QA), Monitoring of Learning Achievements (MLA) and School-Based Management (SBM) to enhance school quality improvement nationwide. ESSPIN actively collaborates with other programmes to support basic education delivery.

Community Engagement in School Improvement
Under the community engagement component of ESSPIN, the aims are to strengthen mechanisms for accountability through increased capacity of communities and civil society to support schools and effectively articulate demand for inclusive, quality basic education services. ESSPIN has focused on the establishment and functioning of School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) as the main vehicle for strengthening the capacity of communities to support schools and articulate demand for better quality, inclusive education. The work specifically aims to:

• Increase the availability of information on education quality and inclusion at the school and community level.
• Enhance community participation (including women and children) in school governance and the preparation and implementation of school development plans.
• Improve linkages between communities and civil society in making demands for better quality, inclusive education.
• Strengthen government response to the demands made by communities and civil society.

Objectives of the consultancy
The main thrust of this consultancy is to consolidate on SBM development supporting UBEC and ESSPIN supported states in consolidating and deepening work around community engagement and learner participation as government commit its resources to scale up the model.

Tasks
The Consultant will:

• Develop and agree a Workplan for the assignment with ESSPIN Lead Specialist, Community Engagement and Learner Participation;
• Provide professional inputs and technical support to UBEC Social Mobilization Department and relevant Departments of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) to build the capacity of a cadre of UBEC mater trainers supporting states national replication;
• Support UBEC Social Mobilization Department collate and document evidence and key lessons on SBMC replication;
• Provide technical support to states SUBEBs in Kano, Kwara and Lagos on SBM development;
• Work with other consultants to support UBEC mentoring and monitoring capacity development process
• Provide technical support to UBEC forthcoming National Conference on SBMC

Outputs

• End-of-Consultancy report in the standard ESSPIN consultancy report format.
• Agreed capacity development training materials on mentoring and monitoring

Institutional/administrative arrangements
The assignment is proposed to take place between 01/08/15 – 30 July, 2016. The lead consultant will take responsibility for coordinating, supporting all related documentations. He will report to the Lead Specialist Community Engagement and Learner Participation, and will receive technical support from the CSO Task Leader and Lead Specialist, and ESSPIN Access and Equity and Community School Interaction Specialists at state levels.

The consultant will undertake this assignment in Abuja,Lagos, Kano and Kwara states and will require that He work with ESSPIN State teams and partners. The consultants will develop a programme for the work schedule upon agreement with LS. The assignment report will be the responsibility of the consultant based on assigned task/responsibilities.

Required competencies for Self-Assessment consultant
Qualifications/experience

• A minimum of a degree-level qualification in a relevant area.
• Extensive experience in community mobilization and School-based management for school improvement.
• Experience of providing professional inputs in development assistance programmes.
• Experience of working with Nigerian government officials and MDAs with proven results.

Knowledge

• Practical knowledge of educational development issues in Nigeria.
• In-depth knowledge of current international practices on engagement of communities and non-state actors to support school improvement.
• Knowledge of Nigerian Government structures, systems and protocols.

Abilities

• Ability to engage constructively with Nigeria government MDAs and achieve targeted results.
• Possession of inter-personal skills and the ability to deploy them as and when necessary.
• Ability to provide constructive guidance and feedback to other professionals.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively as a member of a team.