UNICEF Viet Nam is looking for an international consultant to conduct the Consultancy on Adolescent Friendly Lower Secondary School Model
1. Background
During the Country Programme 2006-2010, UNICEF is supporting the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to develop a model of Adolescent Friendly Lower Secondary School (AFS). This is the first time the Child Friendly School (CFS) model is adapted at Lower Secondary education level in Viet Nam. The conceptual framework of this model adopts five global dimensions of child friendly school including inclusiveness, effectiveness, a safe, healthy and supportive environment, and participation of students, parents and the community. Within the global CFS framework, the MOET in Viet Nam has developed 13 key criteria and 42 indicators with UNICEF assistance. The AFS model is being supported to promote evidence-based school improvement through a bottom up and participatory process. Lesson learned from this model will feed into advocacy for integrating relevant criteria and indicators into the benchmarks for national standard schools.
As an initial step to address monitoring and evaluation of the AFS model, MOET has developed a tool for school self-assessment based on a standard rubric detailing specific levels of attainment for each of the AFS 42 indicators. Some reporting forms have been also developed for periodic records of progress of AFS implementation.
The 50 participating LSS schools have gone through one year implementation of School Improvement Plans (SIPs) and a recent stock-taking articulated the need for strengthened M&E capacity at all levels, particularly standardized tools to assist them in systematically tracking school improvement. MOET recognised this need and considers it as a priority, as this this will strengthen the MOET’s evidence-based approach. While MOET has demonstrated strong leadership for AFS initiative and advocacy using AFS experience and evidence, the Ministry does not have strong M&E capacity, particularly monitoring of CFS. Therefore, MOET has requested UNICEF to assist in the strengthening of M&E for adolescent friendly lower secondary school by engaging an experienced consultant in this area.
This activity is part of the 2009 AWP, Act 15. It is proposed to start on 15 December 2009. The delivery of the first output is before the end of 2009. Because of the school exam to take place in December, the tasks for other outputs will be carried out in 2010.
2. Justification for Requesting a Consultant
The task is highly technical and requires an expert on life skills who has international experience. The work is intensive and needs to be completed within a short period of time. Accordingly, UNICEF Education Section plans to engage a consultant.
3. Scope and focus; Objectives and Outputs with timeline for each task
Objective(s):
- The consultancy will assist the MOET to develop an M&E framework and tools, through participatory consultation and field work, in order to assist with assessment of the implementation of the AFS model in 50 project schools and tracking progress and outcomes of school improvement.
- The consultant, under the direct supervison of the Adolescent Development and Participation Specialist, UNICEF Viet Nam Education section, will work with the Ministry of Education and Training, particularly the Secondary Education Department and Students Affairs Department.
- The total number of working days is 20 days: (a) 8 days at home based; (b) and 12 days in Viet Nam which will be realized in one visit to the country.
Specific tasks and outputs are below:
Task 1: Review existing documents of the Viet Nam AFS and M&E tools used by various countries to track school improvement, particularly through child friendly school approaches. Outline the process proposed for MOET Viet Nam in developing M&E tools for AFS
Output 1: Initial draft process proposed for the M&E tools for Viet Nam’s AFS and shared with UNICEF and MOET for comments
Number of working days: 4 days in home based country
Task 2: Design M&E tools through participatory consultations with MOET, field visits for testing/validation
Output 2: Draft M&E tools developed and tested.
Number of working days: 10 days in Viet Nam
Task 3: Consolidate findings from the field and provide preliminary report to MOET on the draft tools and how they could be used, based on the field work consultation and testing, and facilitate discussion and feedback
Output 3: Draft tools shared with MOET and initial feedback collected
Number of working days: 2 days in Viet Nam
Task 4: Finalize the tools and share with UNICEF and MOET
Output 4: The M&E tool is finalized
Number of working days: 4 days at home-based country
4. Qualifications and experience required:
- Extensive experience in M&E of child friendly school. L4 level, with a Master Degree in Education or related Social Sciences
- A minimum of 8 years experience in the above mentioned area
- Excellent communication skills, both in writing and oral, good interpersonal skills
- Experience in working with Ministry of Education in Asia and support similar initiatives on school improvement and monitoring and evaluation preferable
- Work experience with the MOET in Viet Nam asset.
Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit the following information:
Letter of interest
Proposal
Proposed budget and fees
CVs of team leader and proposed team member(s)
Please indicate the title of the assignment on the top left corner of the to UNICEF address.
Chief of Operations
UNICEF Vietnam
81 A Tran Quoc Toan, Hanoi – Viet Nam
Closing date for receipt of proposals 12 November 2009
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