Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 30 Nov 2017
BACKGROUND
The Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan (ELA) is a national programme that aims to improve the proficiency level of literacy and numeracy skills of youth and adult population in Afghanistan. The first phase of the ELA Programme (2008 – 2010), funded by the Government of Japan provided literacy courses to 255,438 youths and adults in 50 districts in 9 provinces[1] of Afghanistan. With additional funding from the Government of Japan in 2010-2013 the outreach of ELA Programme (Phase II) was expanded to 99 districts of 18 provinces[2] , with a total reach of 325,662 youths and adults, of whom 60 percent were women. Building on the lessons learned from the previous phases, ELA Programme Phase III started in November 2013. In addition to the Government of Japan’s funding, the Government of Sweden (December 2014) and Finland (July 2015) committed more funding to ELA Programme, resulting in the expansion of the geographical coverage to 30 provinces. In June 2016, the Government of Finland committed additional support to ELA III that led to the expansion of the programme to the remaining four provinces of Afghanistan. This effectively increased ELA Phase III’s total funding portfolio to approximately $32 million for four years, and the total coverage to 155 across all the 34 provinces[3] , and expected to reach out to 634,000 youths and adults. So far, ELA Programme remains the largest national literacy programme in Afghanistan. In addition to literacy provision, ELA provides technical support to the Literacy Department (LD) in areas of capacity building and institutional reform, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and outreach, curriculum development and teacher training. Besides, ELA Programme supported the MoE in design and development of curriculum and instructional materials for Level one of the Youth and Adult Literacy and Basic Education. Furthermore, UNESCO continues to support the LD to develop Skill Based Literacy (SBL) workbooks to compliment basic literacy course for those learners who may opt to further their education in eight skill areas: bee keeping, poultry farming, fish farming, tailoring, basic health and first aid, starting your own business and vegetable gardening, which were identified through a rapid needs assessment survey for the development of this instructional materials. Four of the eight skill areas have been fully developed while 4 are in the draft stage and are expected to be piloted in 30 provinces. The findings of process monitoring and MTR of ELA programme noted that there was undeniable need for creating linkages between literacy programming and social economic development strategies through developing special content inform of Skill Based Literacy (SBL) that embeds skills in literacy learning to enable target learners and especially women and young girls, to increase their participation in socio economic activities thus contributing to the attainment of the national development goals; sustainable peace and development.
Responsibilities of this consultancy position include analysis of the current programme processes and results to inform UNESCO’s post ELA III programme development and developing a comprehensive 4 year proposal for funding to cover areas that UNESCO is currently providing technical assistance as well as aligning it with the next 4 years ELA strategy.
PURPOSE FOR THIS ASSIGNMEMT
The purpose of this consultancy is to coordinate with UNESCO Office in Kabul: as well as key stakeholders and partners to develop and finalize a funding proposal to be submitted to various donors for funding of post The Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan (ELA) phase III of the youth and adult literacy, and basic education programme. The proposal writing consultant will provide exemplary conceptual and writing skills needed to write a high value proposal for securing funding to fit into the next 4 year ELA strategy and the government of Afghanistan’s third National Education strategic Plan 2017 -2021 (NESPIII)
The proposal inter alia;
- Links with the current innovations and pilots in adult literacy and their planned scale ups;
- Has a strong component on gender and youths (15 -24 years) education;
- Has a strong component of Skill Based Literacy (SBL) and its linkage to other sectors; and
- Aims at professionalizing the Deputy Ministry of Education for Literacy (DMoEL) particularly focusing on sub national staff and adult education teachers.
The proposal will also further develop work on multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder education programming, transcending to other sectoral areas such as agriculture, health, citizen’s charter, Afghanistan Nation Priority program, peace and national cohesion, basic education, Community Based education etc.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The consultant will be expected to:
- Coordinate with UNESCO Office in Kabul on the content for the full funding proposal including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Description of programme
b. Goals and Objectives
c. Theory of change model and detailed result framework
d. Methodology
e. Duration and indicative action plan for the implementation (and partnerships framework, if needed).
f. Coordination and management plan
g. Sustainability
h. Budget, amount requested and other expected sources of funding
Coordinate with relevant stakeholders on the proposal with clear accountabilities and expectations on contributions to results.
Annex- sustainability and risk mitigation plan and other supporting documents as needed
MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Major Tasks and responsibilities:
End production/deliverable
Time Frame
Desk review of ELA strategy, National Literacy Strategy, NESPIII, Citizens charter document and all other key related UNESCO education sector background documentations, particularly related to ELA Programme.
Conduct Initial consultations with internal key programme staff.
Drafted desk review report –
An analysis of UNESCO current programme results and key learnings.
Gaps and opportunities in UNESCO’s Adult education sub-sector
Recommendation including scope and focus areas within education programme (including partnerships and national literacy campaign)
7 days
Consultations based on desk review report and recommendations.
Initiate discussions with key (selected partners.
Consultations conducted and feedback gathered from reference group and UNESCO senior management, as appropriate
Draft Conceptual frame work including stakeholder inputs.
10 days
Develop the first detailed draft proposal for Education programme (ELA 4 ).
First draft of the proposal
10 days
.
Finalizing a detailed programme proposal for education programme (ELA4)
Finalized Draft of the proposal
8 days
QUALIFICATIONS:
This consultancy requires an individual with strong self-initiative, proven grant writing and fundraising experience in the field of international development, creativity and ability to multi-task. Experience fundraising for education /child development issues is an advantage, as is prior work experience for the United Nations/UNESCO. He/she will need to demonstrate their experience and expertise in the field of Education & Development programme management:
a) Education
- Advanced University degree in education related field or equivalent study in Social Sciences
b) Work experience
· The candidate should have at least 10 years’ experience in international education development or international development.
· The contracted consultant will be an Education Specialist or from a related field within international development with track record of at least 8 years (equivalent to P4 level).
- The candidate should have broad experience in Asia. Working experience in Afghanistan is an added advantage.
- The candidate should have conceptual knowledge of Afghanistan’s education sector particularly the non-formal education sub-sector.
- Previous experience in working with the UNESCO would be highly advantageous
c) Language
- Fluency in English
- Knowledge of Dari or Pashto is an added advantage.
d) Competencies
- Communication skills, team player and analytical skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
- Ability to work under light supervision and experience in gathering and compilation of sound information from diverse sources.
- Good analytical, inter personal communication and advocacy skills.
- Computer and writing skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
e) Personal characteristics
- Proactive with the ability to focus on solutions.
- Good analytical skills. Good interpersonal skills
How to apply:
Individual candidates are requested to send their application, including a CV and cover letter (in English) to the UNESCO Kabul email ki.consultant@unesco.org before midnight (Afghanistan time), 30 November 2017.