The UNICEF Education Section was awarded a Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) grant to scale up an innovative approach and global toolkit for in-country capacity development for enhancing ECE analysis, planning and implementation (called the Better Early Learning and Development at Scale or “BELDS approach”). This KIX project aims to support the effective and strategic integration of the pre-primary sector within Education Sector Planning processes in five Global Partnership for Education (GPE) member countries (Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tajikistan), while generating and mobilizing global knowledge and resources on ECE policy and practice.
Purpose of Evaluation/Objectives/Research Questions:
Purpose:
Findings from this evaluation will enable relevant stakeholders to better understand how the BELDS approach and ECE Accelerator Toolkit can be leveraged in different regional and geopolitical contexts to effectively mainstream ECE into all the phases of Education Sector Planning processes and scale the provision of quality ECE services in line with SDG 4.2 objectives
Objectives:
Guided by the research questions underpinning the KIX project, the objective of this consultancy is to evaluate the KIX project in its final year of implementation. More specifically, the evaluation aims to:
Evaluate the project design, scope, implementation status and the capacity to achieve the project objectives
Collate and analyze lessons learnt, challenges faced, and best practices obtained through project implementation
Assess the preliminary indications of potential impact and sustainability of project results, including the contribution to Education Sector Planning.
Generate knowledge from the implementation of the KIX project and propose actionable recommendations for future programming for the both the BELDS approach and the ECE Accelerator Toolkit.
Scope of Work:
The evaluation will cover the entirety of the KIX project covering the implementation of global, regional and country level workplans covering the time period of June 2020 through March 2023. Utilizing mixed research methods, the evaluation should use a participatory approach engaging all relevant stakeholders involved in project implementation via remote research methods.
Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:
Expected deliverables for this consultancy include the following:
The elaboration of an inception report which includes the following:
Understanding of the issues the project aims to address
Understanding of how to assess the research questions this project aims to address
Research methodology
Detailed schedule of activities
Proposal for a learning event/validation of evaluation findings.
Appropriate validated draft data collection tools (e.g., methodological guidelines, group interview questions). The tools and methodology will be verified by UNICEF.
Identification of statistical packages to be used and data protection (if applicable).
A desk review of relevant project documents
Data collection and analysis
The development of a final evaluation report
A max 30-page evaluation report consisting of:
Executive Summary in bullets (max. 2 pages)
Introduction
Methodology, including sampling and limitations
Analysis of findings of the evaluation conceptualized around the following components:
Relevance/quality of design,
Efficiency (delivery of outputs)
Effectiveness/Efficacy (delivery of outcomes
Sustainability (of progress, impacts)
Challenges and Lessons learned
Stories of change and quotes from respondents
Conclusions for each of the evaluation objectives
Recommendations for effective scaling and uptake of the pilot interventions integrated into the project (BELDS approach and ECE Accelerator Toolkit)
Annexes
Finalized data collection tools and analyzed tables and graphs
List of interviewees
PowerPoint presentation of preliminary findings
Presentation of findings
The consultant will and present findings to relevant stakeholders in the form of an evaluation report and virtual formal presentation.
Qualifications:
Education:
Masters Degree in Statistics, Research, Programme Evaluation
Full command of spoken and written English is essential.
Proficiency in Russian desirable
Work experience:
Master’s Degree in education, social sciences, economics, development studies, evaluation or related fields with demonstrated strong research experience;
Knowledge and experience in early childhood education highly desirable
At least 8 years’ experience in the field(s) of program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and qualitative research in international development contexts.
