Call for Proposals - INEE Distance Education Social Network Analysis

Introduction

The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) is recruiting an individual,team of consultants, or consulting firm with research and experience in conducting Social Network Analysis for the Distance Education ecosystem in crisis-affected countries.

This consultancy requires skill sets both in distance education research as well as proficient knowledge of the education in emergencies field with an aim to map working of various network entities/ stakeholders in the distance education landscape of selected countries. INEE is ideally looking for individual consultants, a research team with combined experience, or a consulting firm with this expertise.

Background:

The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) is an open, global network that works to ensure all persons the right to quality education and a safe learning environment in emergencies and post-crisis recovery. INEE is composed of more than 17,500 practitioners, students, teachers, staff from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, donors, governments (including Ministries of Education), and universities who work together within a humanitarian and development framework. INEE serves its members through the core functions of community-building, convening diverse stakeholders, maintaining knowledge management, amplifying and advocating, facilitating and learning, and providing members with the resources and support they need to carry out their work on education in emergencies.

Established in November 2020, the INEE Distance Education Reference Group (DERG) includes 40 members from 27 organizations from government agencies, NGOs, multilateral agencies, academia, and the private sector. The group is chaired by an INEE Distance Education Coordinator and co-chaired by UNHCR and the Carey Institute for Global Good. The DERG focuses on elevating the distance education needs of young people in emergencies and humanitarian settings. The DERG intentionally embraces a far-reaching definition of distance education to encompass all relevant and viable high-, low-, and no-tech solutions to support out-of-school learning during challenging times.

Objectives:

In the abundance of research on education during Covid-19, particularly in crisis contexts, there remains little or no analysis of relationships and interdependencies that are necessary to assure preparation, provision, and access to distance education in low-to high tech contexts.

The objective of this assignment is to capitalize on the potentials of information flow through different networks by identifying, collecting, and analyzing the information related to distance education focusing on emergencies and refugee settings.

The stated objective will be achieved by mapping and analysing:

1. Information Sharing Network – Where, how and from whom do ecosystem actors get and share information on distance education?
2. Policy Network – Where and how is data generated and considered for policy development? Who is engaged in developing and assessing distance education policy? 
3. Educator Preparation Network – Who is designing, delivering, assessing, financing distance educator preparation? What pedagogical approaches are used by whom?
4. Education Provision Network- Where and how is distance education provided, by whom?

The information collected and analyzed from these networks will help to review the existing approaches of distance education in emergencies and will be used to propose a realistic model by highlightinglimitations, relationships, and opportunities for distance education in emergencies and refugee settings.

Please see the annex below on What is Social Network Analysis for more details of what we are looking for.*

Responsibilities / Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the INEE Distance Education Coordinator INEE, and working in consultation with the INEE Reference Group (DERG), the consultant(s) will:

1. Conduct the SNA in two countries, one each from Asia and Africa (to be decided in consultation with the DERG).
2. Meet and communicate regularly with DERG members, review current practices, use of technology, and distance education planning, and conduct desk research to identify networks to be included in the research.
3. Define the research question, discuss this with DERG members, and refine and finalize the research question.
4. Identify categories for data collection/analysis and conduct mapping exercises for different networks.
5. Develop a presentation about the research and present to DERG members and INEE members.
6. Collect data and conduct network analysis based on a set of pre-identified categories.
7. Develop reports and present findings of the research.

Deliverables:

1. Develop and submit inception report covering methodology for conducting the Social Network Analysis. This document is based on the understanding of the consultant, methodology to be used, data collection method, stakeholders’ identification method, and analysis. 3 Days
2. Develop a detailed work plan covering the activities for assignment and related required resources. 2 Days
3. Conduct preliminary data collection, its analysis and mapping exercises to research the interaction among networks. 20 Days
4. Submit a first draft and a final version of the report for review and incorporation of feedback from the INEE Secretariat and DERG, including details by categories/subcategories, methodology, limitations of the study, and recommendations. All row data must be included in the report as an annex(es). 10 Days