CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDER – INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Aga Khan Foundation 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL -TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDER – INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

TERMS OF REFERENCE

  1. Introduction

The Madrasa Early Childhood Programme Kenya (MECP-K) is one of the eight agencies implementing the Rise and Shine Programme in Kenya funded by Comic Relief to strengthen programming for Early Childhood Development (ECD). In addition to the funding awarded to each of the organizations, Comic Relief through the Technical Support (TS) fund for partners, awarded MECP-K a grant to manage the TS implementation. Therefore, the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP-K) is seeking to engage a service provider for technical support for the eight partner agencies operating in Kenya and implementing Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiatives under the Comic Relief Rise and Shine portfolio.

  1. Purpose and objective

The technical support is expected to facilitate capacity strengthening for the eight partner agencies in Kenya to enable them to strengthen programme delivery. This will involve supporting the partner agencies in enhancing access for children in ECD and those abled differently to learning opportunities. A special focus will be enhancing programming by integrating strategies that promote inclusive education. Additionally, the consultancy will enhance the capacity of the eight partners to advocate for inclusive education, strengthen programme delivery and promote child-friendly participation. Overall, the service provider is expected to provide equitable technical support of sufficient quality and depth to the eight Rise and Shine partner agencies in Kenya.

  1. Scope of work

The service provider will be engaged for a period of six months and will be expected to build targeted capacities of the eight partner agencies in specific skills and competencies, enabling them to have the abilities for integration of inclusive education practices in ECD. This will ensure the eight partner agencies are able to contribute to the provision of quality education for all children. Therefore, the consultancy will entail establishing the capacity needs in the provision of inclusive education across the eight agencies that will inform the capacity-strengthening plan. Additionally, the technical support will entail developing training manuals for capacity development in inclusive education and guidelines for reference by the partner agencies in integrating inclusive education in ECD. In this case, inclusive education will encompass groups that have been excluded from educational opportunities; orphans and vulnerable children, children living in poverty, those from ethnic and linguistic minorities, girls, and children from remote areas and those with disabilities or other special educational needs.

The focus areas that have been prioritized by the 8 partner agencies in this consultancy include:

  1. Assessing and verifying the inclusive education priorities per partner agency.
  2. Strengthening inclusive education component for efficient integration and quality education outcomes for all children.

It is expected that the technical support cycle will enable the participating agencies to integrate the learning into their current work, using their existing staff and resources, resulting in stronger, and more inclusive systems. The basic model would be a technical support cycle that will aim to increase agency and capacity to integrate and promote inclusive education practices in their work. The following are some of the key elements of the anticipated technical support:

  1. A qualified and competent technical support provider contracted for a six-month period.
  2. Development of useful reference documentation for partners to engage with beyond the consultancy period i.e. reference manuals and guidelines.
  3. Delivery of training for the partner agencies, enabling sufficient time to apply the learning.
  4. Tailored support and mentoring for each partner agency, e.g., through onsite mentorship visit, assessments, and recommendations.
  5. Periodic progress reports, and final consultancy report.
  6. Key Deliverables
  7. Conduct a needs assessment (per agency) and compile relevant reports:A detailed needs assessment exercise to be conducted for all eight partner agencies and develop a per agency as well as a consolidated needs assessment report, submitted, and verified by MECP-K and the entity agencies.
  8. Conduct training and tailored mentorship for partner agencies, with a focus on the key findings of the needs assessment above. This will include the submission of draft reference documents developed through the consultancy thus far, including (draft training manual, training, and mentorship report detailing the progress each agency is making on the Technical Advisory) submitted and verified by MECP-K.
  9. Develop teacher and community training content on inclusive education and practices.
  10. Support agencies to develop advocacy strategies and or approaches to increase appreciation and support for inclusive education for ECD stakeholders.
  11. Compile and submit regular progress reports after three months period and an end of consultancy report: These will include a final training report with recommendations, submitted and verified by MECP-K.
  12. Required Competencies/Experience/Skills.

The TS provider is expected to demonstrate professional expertise and experience in Capacity building teams in various areas of inclusive education. Specifically, the provider is expected to have the following:

  1. The lead consultant will have at least a master’s degree in inclusive education, early childhood development, curriculum development or any other relevant qualifications.
  2. Excellent knowledge including current information in Early Childhood Education and Care and alignment with inclusive education.
  3. Minimum 5 years of professional experience as a technical advisor on inclusive education.
  4. Demonstrated knowledge of the Kenyan education system, current basic education policies and other policies regulating inclusive education
  5. Demonstrated experience of working with civil society organizations and development partners, around inclusive education.
  6. Demonstrated experience of successful working with and around marginalized communities around inclusive education will be an added advantage.
  7. Excellent communication, facilitation, and strong report-writing skills.
  8. Ability to meet tight deadlines through excellent time management and organizing skills.
  9. Ability to develop a detailed plan of work and to manage the multiple tasks needed to carry out that plan.
  10. Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

How to apply

  1. Application procedure

Interested service providers are invited to submit a technical and budget proposal of not more than 6 pages that will include:

  1. A description of previous work successfully undertaken including relevant technical support topics, and the activities carried out.
  2. Proposed approach and components related to needs assessment, development of guidance, and phases of training and tailored mentorship, and reporting.
  3. Breakdown of consultancy fees clearly stating number of days and hours of work expected.
  4. Key personnel (staff and/or consultants) and a summary of their experience.

Please note, if your proposal is shortlisted, we will then ask for more information before making a final decision. The further information will include:

  1. Timeline of project milestones and outputs for deliverables
  2. CVs of all proposed team members
  3. A copy of 2 previous reports of similar work undertaken (e.g. needs assessment, training and mentoring, guide document)
  4. Names of two professional references who can be contacted from organizations that have contracted similar work.
  5. A copy of legal registration (for registered firms)
  6. A consulting firm profile
  7. Answer to questions that may rise from the initial proposal.

Submissions must be received by MECP-K no later than Monday, 06 March, 2023 at 5pm EAT through the email address: admin.mecpk@akdn.org along with ‘TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR RISE and SHINE PARTNERS APPLICATION’ in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

  1. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following set of criteria:

CRITERIA MAXIMUM SCORE

Technical Component

Demonstrated experience in conducting and coordinating similar projects 25

Education and Technical Experience of Team 15

Proposed Methodology and Approach 30

Gender Equality experience and proposed approach 10

Total Technical Component 80

Financial Component

Realistic and appropriate costs for proposed work 10

All relevant costs included to carry out proposed work 10

Total Financial Component 20

Grand total 100

The successful TS is expected to duly comply with National COVID-19 public health measures and international best practices throughout the period of engagement with MECP-K and the partner agencies.

  1. Payment Schedule
  2. 30% upon signature of the contract.
  3. 50 % upon delivery of the training.
  4. 20% up on completion of the final report and after validation of the report by MECP-K.

MECP-K is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and partners to share this commitment.

MECP-K is an affiliate of the Aga Khan Foundation; an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network

 

Updated:
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