Call for Applications: Strategic Framework for the ICQN-MSE in Africa (Short term Consultancy)

Applications (Technical and Financial Proposal) must be sent to adea-applications@afdb.org no later than 14^th July 2023 at midnight GMT. The subject of the e-mail should be “Short Term Consultant – Strategic Framework Development: ICQN-MSE”.

As the voice of education in Africa and a key network of Education Ministries, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) plays a significant role in the education space as a convenor, knowledge creator, and forum for policy dialogue. ADEA sees its impact in African countries that are empowered to develop education and training systems that respond to their emergent needs and drive Africa’s sustainable socio-economic transformation. Two strategic pillars underpin the implementation of the ADEA Strategic Plan 2018-2022: (1) the Continental Education Platform and (2) the country-based Advisory and Execution Support Services. Both pillars are aligned to the African Union's Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025 (CESA 16-25) and the Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 on Education (SDG4).

Under the first pillar, ADEA's Inter-Country Quality Node (ICQN) network enhances collaboration and coordination across stakeholders and national borders through capacity building, peer learning, and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. ADEA also serves as a Pan-African knowledge hub for peer-to-peer learning while elevating the voice of Africa on education priorities through organizing, or participating in, high-level policy dialogue forums at regional, continental, and global levels. The second pillar provides an opportunity for ADEA to serve the needs of African governments to deliver inclusive, relevant, and equitable quality education by providing a comprehensive package of services to support countries in the diagnosis of country-level needs, implementation, and monitoring of policies and programs.

The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education is championing and leading the ICQN on Mathematics and Science Education (ICQN-MSE). The ICQN facilitates:

• Sharing of knowledge and collaborative action on thematic issues in education.
• Forging of strategic partnerships for the rollout of identified strategies/ programmes in specific areas.
• Peer learning, exchange of knowledge and experience as well as best practices in the uptake of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Africa’s education systems.

The ICQN-MSE promotes the peer learning, exchange, and experience sharing through research studies policy dialogue, and collaborative action among African Ministers of Education and strategic partners to advance quality STEM education in Africa. The collaborative approach, and networking, supports the exchange of knowledge on concepts, research findings, and capacity building to respond to the varying contexts in which STEM education programs are implemented.

STEM education is a strategic theme that has the potential to transform an economy positively. Human resource incapacity in STEM education on the continent continues to delay the potential benefits to socio-economic development. A Strategic Framework for guiding the activities of ICQN-MSE towards the development of STEM education and collaborative action by member countries is essential. Engaging stakeholders in the design process will create a well-informed framework that addresses needs and priorities at the country, regional, and continental levels.

The purpose of this assignment is to use the findings of the two Africa-based studies (Status of STEM Education in Secondary School Level and the Situational Analysis survey on Play-based STEM Education at the Basic Learning Level) to develop a costed Strategic Framework for the ICQN. The Framework will cover the activities of the ICQN for the next five years. It will provide a basis for enhancing greater knowledge creation and collective action among member countries and other stakeholders in Africa.

ADEA now seeks the services of a short-term consultant to drive the development of the costed Strategic Framework. Reporting to the ADEA Senior Projects Officer at the strategic level and to the ICQN-MSE Coordinator at the programmatic level, the short-term consultant will perform the following tasks:

Scope of work:

1. Determine strategic issues in STEM education on the continent based on the two previous ADEA surveys mentioned above.
2. Map out promising practices and interventions globally.
3. Prepare a draft costed Strategic Framework for ICQN-MSE.
4. Support the organization of, and facilitate, a stakeholder forum to provide inputs to the draft costed Strategic Framework.
5. Support the organization of a technical meeting to validate the revised draft costed Strategic Framework.
6. Refine and submit the validated costed Strategic Framework.

In undertaking the tasks above, the consultant will maintain regular communication and report directly to the ICQN-MSE Coordinator through updates and share periodical progress reports. Where necessary, and as appropriate, the Senior Projects Officer will also engage with the consultant.

Deliverables:

1. Draft Inception Report outlining the strategic issues, promising practices and interventions, key project activities, timelines, methodology and budget for feedback from ADEA Secretariat and the ICQN.
2. Final Inception Report
3. Draft costed Strategic Framework for feedback from ADEA Secretariat and the ICQN.
4. Stakeholder Strategic Framework feedback meetings report.
5. Pre-validated costed Strategic Framework & draft PowerPoint presentation for the validation meeting.
6. Validated costed Strategic Framework.

The selected consultant is expected to commence the work in July 2023 and complete the assignment by September 2023.

Timelines for the Assignment: July-September 2023

• At least a master’s degree in education, sciences, strategic planning, or related fields and a minimum of 10 years relevant working experience in leading and managing teams in a diverse cultural environment.
• Solid track record in strategic planning and leadership development, and presenting results to a high-level audience.
• Based in Africa, with experience working in African countries and a solid track record of undertaking strategic planning projects.
• Prior experience of working in a STEM education field would be an added advantage.
• Fluency in either English or French language (written and oral) and a working knowledge of the other language.
• Excellent skills in working with computers and using applications such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, internet, communication, and social media.
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, multi-project environment.
• Demonstrated track record of engagement with African governments and diverse partners in the fields of STEM education.

Applications (Technical and Financial Proposal) must be sent to adea-applications@afdb.org no later than 14^th July 2023 at midnight GMT. The subject of the e-mail should be “Short Term Consultant – Strategic Framework Development: ICQN-MSE”.

Due to the high volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted through formal correspondence via e-mail. Candidates are strongly advised not to contact ADEA or staff members to inquire about the status of their application.

Duty Station: Remote work for drafting and draft revision. Face to face for stakeholder input workshop.