Call for Consultancy
INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT - NESP2 Chapter 7, University Education, Research and Innovation
Terms of Reference
Date Issued: 30 September 2020
Organizational unit: UNESCO Myanmar Project Office
Duty Station: Home Based
Title: International Consultant - NESP2 Chapter 7, University Education, Research and Innovation
Duration of the contract: 12 October 2020 to 11 December 2020
Application deadline: 7 October 2020
1.0 Introduction
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has embarked on the development of its second National Education Strategic Plan (NESP) 2021-2030, a strategic document that will guide education reform for the next ten years. The MOE has identified the need to contract national and international consultants to work closely with senior Ministry officials and the Rectors’ Committee, Department officers, Department-appointed Component Experts, the cross-department NESP 2 Drafting Team members and Sub-Sector Working Group (SSWG) members, to draft Chapters 5 to 9 for the National Education Strategic Plan 2021-30 (see Table 1 column 1 below).
Table: List of drafting experts to support NESP 2 Chapters 5 to 9
NESP 2 Chapters
No. of consultants
Chapter 5: Basic Education
1 international consultant
2 national consultants
Chapter 6: Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
1 international consultant
2 national consultants
Chapter 7: University Education, Research and Innovation
1 international consultant
2 national consultants
Chapter 8: Management, Capacity Development and Quality Assurance (MCQ)
1 international consultant
Chapter 9: Financing NESP 2
1 international consultant
2 national consultants
The MOE has requested support from national and international experts to help build the capacity of Department officers in drafting an international-standard NESP 2. This goal of completing an international-standard NESP 2 is important for the Ministry as the plan will have an independent appraisal prior to being launched next year, which will be made public.
The MOE has set a target for an executive summary of NESP 2 to be officially launched in March 2021. The MOE started drafting NESP 2 in October 2019, however, the drafting of NESP2 has been delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis. To accelerate progress towards the target launch date, national and international consultants will assist the MOE to complete a zero draft NESP 2 in Myanmar and English in November. Then the Ministry will spend 6 weeks undertaking extensive consultations on the NESP 2 zero draft with all Departments, with all DPs and civil society organisations, with all States and Regions and with all education stakeholders. These consultations will lead to revisions of all NESP 2 Chapters through incorporating recommendations from everyone consulted. The consultations will focus on reviewing all strategies, components, targets and activities.
2.0 Scope of Work
The Individual Specialist will support the drafting of NESP2 Chapter 7, University Education, Research and Innovation[1]. The Individual Specialist will responsible for producing the final chapter draft, based on the inputs received from the relevant stakeholders, conducting consultations and for facilitating policy dialogue to agree on the key elements of the chapter. To this purpose, the Individual Specialist will complete the following tasks:
2.1 Desk review of documents to understand the situation in Higher Education (HE) in Myanmar
Undertake an in-depth review of all relevant documents on the HE sub-sector and development context in Myanmar (e.g. Comprehensive Education Sector Review, CESR HE Report, Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan 2030, NESP 1, Mid-Term Review Report (2019), Annual Performance Review Reports, NESP 2 draft Component Outline Templates, and other DP and MOE-produced reports, e.g. MERAL Portal, mmREN study, etc.[2]). Study and understand important linkages between HE and TVET, especially with regard to the School and Industry Partnership (SIP) Programme.
2.2 Online consultations to deepen understanding of situation in HE in Myanmar
Undertake a series of online meetings with senior Ministry, Department of Higher Education (DHE), Rectors’ Committee (RC) and National Education Policy Commission (NEPC) officials, University Rectors, Pro-rectors, Department Heads, lecturers, NESP 2 Drafting Team members, Development Partners and other stakeholders (e.g. NAQAC, NCC, MOE Departments leading on cross-cutting areas e.g. M&E, as well as other Ministries with universities) to deepen understanding of the HE sub-sector in Myanmar.
Review the HE section of the Education Sector Analysis (ESA) and work closely with the ESA team and the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning to provide inputs to the HE section based on the desk review and consultations conducted.
2.3 Strengthen Chapter 7 Component Outline Templates (COTs)
Review and improve the quality of all draft COTs. Draft a short report for DHE, Rectors’ Committee and the NESP 2 Drafting Team on how to improve COTs, including recommendations for consolidation of Components where needed and/or additional Components if there are critical gaps based on evidence collected and reviewed under Tasks (1) and (2) above. Network with SSWG co-chairs and SSWG DP members and ask them to provide drafting inputs to improve the quality of one or more COTs, especially COTs that a DP or DP-funded project technical advisers have been directly involved in supporting. Work closely with all DPs or project advisers who are committed to supporting the drafting of quality COTs. Take a lead role in reviewing, revising and final drafting of all HE COTs. After final draft COTs have been completed then undertake a summary of each COT and list this information in the draft of Chapter 7[3].
2.4 Draft the main sections of Chapter 7, including introduction section, strategic framework, high-level results framework and pathways map
Submit a proposal for the structure for Chapter 7. Work closely with the NESP 2 Coordinator, senior MOE officials, the NESP 2 Drafting Team and the Uni. Ed. SSWG to agree on a standardised template for the three main NESP 2 Chapters[4]. Draft a clear and well-argued introduction section for Chapter 7. The introduction section will aim to provide a well-written summary of:
(i) high-level sub-sector achievements under NESP 2016-21;
(ii) major challenges in implementation of HE Strategies and Components under NESP;
(iii) key/strategic (and evidence-based) lessons from studies and reports published in Myanmar and the region over the last 3+ years;
(iv) important national, regional and international socio-economic development and HE trends, policies, research and initiatives that are informing/shaping/re-directing/triggering reforms of HE systems in ASEAN countries and internationally, especially post COVID-19;
(v) opportunities for deepening HE reforms in Myanmar over the next 10 years to expand access to quality and inclusive HE that responds to regional and national government development needs and industry and private sector needs; and,
(vi) how HE strategic reforms align with, and supports implementation of, the strategies listed in NESP Chapter 4: Education 4.0.
Based on the above introduction section draft a strategic framework (SF) (ideally including a diagram) for HE reforms/priorities over the next 10 years. The SF will need to cover all of the existing draft HE Strategies and Components. Draft an accompanying narrative for the SF and make a well-argued case for reform (i.e. grounded in evidence and ideally supported/informed by text in the Chapter introduction section, covering best-practices in HE reform and innovation internationally, especially international trends that might be emerging post Covid-19 in relation to shifts/re-thinking/pivots/major changes in national development, human resource development and human capital development, and associated policies.)
Explain (i.e. make a strong case) that the identified Chapter 7 Strategies and Components are the most urgent reforms/initiatives needed in the HE sub-sector in Myanmar at this time and continuing over the NESP 2 implementation period. The strategic framework narrative will need to clearly explain how the Ministry-identified Strategies and Components collectively contribute to the achievement of the HE Transformational Shift (TS) from NESP 1. If useful, make suggestions to improve the original HE TS statement.
Draft a high-level results framework for Chapter 7 and an accompanying narrative.
Design and explain a pathways map for the HE sub-sector showing entry and exit points for students.
The introduction section of Chapter 7 must be an empowering statement/agenda for change explaining new directions in HE and the potential to support Myanmar’s socio-economic development over the coming decade.
Ensure the integration of cross-cutting themes such as inclusion, equity, gender, education in emergency settings etc. are well integrated across the HE chapter.
The chapter drafting will take place in close consultation with DHE officials, and in coordination with consultants supporting the Basic Education and TVET NESP2 chapter. The Individual Specialist will also coordinate with My-EQIP team supporting the development of the NESP2 results framework and the UNESCO team supporting the costing of NESP2.
Submit a draft Chapter 7 without COT summaries.
2.5 Online consultations on Chapter 7 (excluding Component Summaries)
Undertake a series of online meetings with senior Ministry, DHE and RC officers, NESP 2 Drafting Team members, Sub-sector Working Group (SSWG) members, Development Partners and other stakeholders (also including MOE Departments leading on cross-cutting areas, as well as other Ministries involved in HE) to get their comments on the draft Chapter 7 covering the introduction section, strategic framework, high-level results framework and pathways map (i.e. all areas outlined in (4) above). Revise and improve the draft Chapter 7.
A methodology for these consultations, including agreement on how consultation feedback will be integrated in the chapter draft should be agreed between the NESP2 Coordinator within MOE, the consultants working on different NESP chapters and UNESCO.
2.6 Edit COTs and complete a full draft for Chapter 7
Review and make any edits needed for all final drafts of COTs. Summarise each COT and list it in Chapter 7, including a summary of the Intermediate Results Framework (similar to NESP 1). Complete and submit the first full draft of Chapter 7.
2.7 Online consultations on Chapter 7 full draft
Undertake online meetings with a small number of key stakeholders to get their feedback on the full draft of Chapter 7. Submit a zero draft of Chapter 7 incorporating the comments from key stakeholders consulted. Note: The MOE will lead comprehensive consultations on Chapter 7 and undertake revisions in late November and December after it has been translated.
3.0 Deliverables
Short report for DHE and the NESP 2 Drafting Team on how to improve Component Outline Templates
Final draft set of all HE Component Outline Templates
List of summaries of all HE Component Outline Templates
Draft introduction section for Chapter 7, including strategic framework, high-level results framework and pathways map
Zero draft Chapter 7, + short note on changes proposed from consultations and changes made
Full draft Chapter 7, + short note on changes proposed from consultations and changes made
4.0 Reporting
The Individual Specialist will report to the Director-General of DHE, RC Chairman, NESP 2 Coordinator and UNESCO. The international consultant will be supported to complete the above tasks by the NESP 2 Drafting Team and DHE and RC officers. Additional advice and support will be provided by SSWG members.
5.0 Timing
The consultancy will start on Monday, October 12th and it will be undertaken full-time, or at a minimum ¾ time. The assignment needs to be completed by Friday, December 11th.
V. Qualifications:
Possess 10 years of professional experience in education and research, including experience working with the UN and at the international level;
Proven track record in leading education planning processes in the fields of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
Strong understanding of the Higher Education sector including the ongoing discussions and research at global, regional and national levels;
Strong analytical skills and excellent English proficiency (written and oral);
Advanced university degree in education, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields;
Experience working in Myanmar is desired
[1] The International Consultant will not provide any technical support for Teacher and Education Management officers under the Department of Higher Education (DHE).
[2] All these documents will be provided by the NESP 2 Drafting Team, with permission from the NESP 2 Coordinator.
[3] All final draft COTs will be summarised and listed in each of the main NESP 2 Chapters – BE, BE and Univ. Educ.
[4] Each of the three main NESP 2 Chapters – BE, TVET and Univ. Educ. -- will have the same structure.
How to apply:
VI. How to apply:
Interested individuals are invited to submit an application to the UNESCO Myanmar Project Office with the following:
An expression of interest to undertake the assignment in the ToR;
An up-to-date CV stating details of educational qualifications, work experience, including prior experience of similar work;
A list of past similar work or report/publication written;
A financial proposal
UNESCO places great emphasis on ensuring that the objectives of the work assignment, as described in the Terms of Reference, are met. Accordingly, in evaluating the proposals for the assignment, attention will focus first and foremost on the technical elements. From those proposals deemed suitable in terms of the criteria in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO shall select the proposal that offers the Organisation best value for money.
Your application should reach yangon@unesco.org by email no later than 17:00 Hours (Yangon time) on 7 October 2020.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.