Individual Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Hanoi

 

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Hanoi Time) : 02/09/2022

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

I. Introduction

Assigned as a national focal point for the education sector plan development process by the Minister of Education and Training, the Viet Nam Institute of Educational Sciences (VNIES) has been in the process of developing its Education Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) for 2021-2030 and vision to 2045, including action programmes/priority programmes, an M&E framework, and elements of costing. This work is being conducted using an Education Sector Plan Development Grant (ESPDG) from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

 

As part of the development process, the EDSP must be independently appraised prior to the finalization and endorsement of the plan. The external evaluation or independent appraisal of the EDSP is a GPE requirement, for development partners to ensure the robustness and credibility of a Plan. An international individual consultancy is required to carry out the independent appraisal of the EDSP to assess them using the GPE/IIEP Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Appraisal.

 

EDSPs present the policies and strategies for national education transformation and constitute a powerful tool for coordinating partners and for mobilizing additional domestic and external resources. They have become a critical instrument for governments to signal to all potential investors that their education policies are credible, sustainable, and worthy of investment.

 

II. Background

Under the GPE ESPDG, UNESCO has played a role of the Grant Agent and collaborated with the Education Sector Group (ESG) members, coordinated by UNICEF (Coordinating Agency), to assist the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET), specifically VNIES in conducting an Education Sector Analysis (ESA) and developing a new ten-year Education Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045. 

 

The UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) has been requested by the MOET to accompany the national education sector plan development process, share its technical expertise and strengthen national institutional capacities.

 

UNESCO, as the Grant Agent of the GPE ESPDG, will contract an individual consultant to undertake an independent appraisal of the EDSP in close collaboration with the MOET/VNIES and the ESG members.

 

III. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to carry out an external independent appraisal and critical analysis of the draft EDSP, and assess its soundness, relevance and coherence, based on the characteristics defined in the GPE/IIEP Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Appraisal, to ensure the credibility of the EDSP. The appraisal should be carried out by an individual consultant who has not contributed to the EDSP formulation. The consultancy is expected to be carried out within the period of two months.

Long Description

IV. Main tasks and methodology

Main tasks:

- To conduct a desk review of the EDSP and accompanying documents (ESA report, M&E framework, priority programmes, etc.) and virtual interviews of actors who were involved in the process of EDSP formulation.
- To appraise the EDSP in accordance with the GPE/IIEP Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Appraisal, especially following the five key criteria (see Methodology).
- To review the EDSP’s alignment with international commitments and existing government strategies and plans, for example, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Socio-Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030, and the SDG4 Action Plan of Viet Nam.
- To prepare an appraisal report whose primary objective is to support the finalization of the credible EDSP. The appraisal report should have clear recommendations on key areas of improvement in the EDSP. 
- To prepare and participate in a workshop (hybrid mode) and present key findings of the appraisal and recommendations on key areas of improvement. 

 

Methodology:

The independent appraisal of the EDSP should cover (in a coherent manner) the general questions and sub-questions outlined under the following five key criteria of the GPE/IIEP Guidelines for Education Sector Plan Appraisal. An overview is provided below but the Appraisal Guidelines should be read and consulted in full prior to undertaking the appraisal:

 

1. Leadership and participation:

- Has the plan preparation process been country-led, participatory, and transparent?

(i) Leadership and Ownership: To what extent is Government leadership and development partners’ and key stakeholders support for Government ownership reflected in the education sector plan?
(ii) Participatory Process: What is the level of involvement among the local stakeholders and development partners in the plan preparation process?
(iii) Capacity Development: To what extent was plan preparation used as an opportunity to develop national capacities in education policy and planning?

 

2. Soundness and Relevance:
- Does the plan constitute a coherent set of strategies and actions addressing the key challenges of the education sector?
(i) Evidence-based education sector analysis: What empirical evidence was available and was it used effectively?
(ii) Relevance of Policies and Programs: Do the proposed priorities and programmes form a relevant response to the challenges?
(iii) Soundness of the financial framework: Is the financial framework adequate and credible?
(iv) Soundness of the action plan: Does the action plan provide a sound operational framework? For example, is the action plan easily cross-referenced with the financing framework? Does the action plan include costing for EDSP activities?

Long Description

3. Equity, Efficiency, and Learning in Basic Education:
- Are the key dimensions of equity, efficiency, and learning soundly addressed to increase sector performance?
(i) Robustness and relevance of the strategies: Do the proposed priorities and programs form a relevant response to the challenges?
(ii) Change strategies: Is the financial framework adequate and credible?
(iii) Results Framework: Does the action plan provide a sound operational framework?
(iv) Most marginalized and vulnerable groups: Does the EDSP pay due attention to the most marginalized and vulnerable, including ethnic minority groups, so as to address and/or sustain equity and inclusion?

 

4. Coherence:
- Does the plan constitute a consistent and coherent set of strategies and actions?
(i) Coherence among the strategies, programs, and interventions: Is there consistency between the various components of the EDSP?
(ii) Comprehensive costing and aligned with the budget: How consistent are the scenario and the costing with other parts of the EDSP?
(iii) Coherence of monitoring and evaluation indicators: Are the M&E indicators consistent with the policy priorities and the planned programs and activities?

 

5. Feasibility, Implementability, and Monitorability:
- Do the financing, implementation, and monitoring arrangements offer a good perspective for achievement?
(i) Financial feasibility: Is the financial plan adequate and realistic?
(ii) System capacity: Does the plan identify and address capacity constraints that would affect plan implementation?
(iii) Governance and Accountability: Are there strategies in place to improve and establish good governance practices and management accountability across the system?
(iv) Risks to implementation and mitigation of risks: Does the EDSP design take into consideration possible risks and constraints in implementation?
(v) Robustness of the monitoring and evaluation framework: Does the M&E system provide robust indicators based on valid and reliable data to monitor the progress toward the achievement of outputs and outcomes described in the results framework? Are the reporting, feedback, and consultation mechanisms transparent and adequate to ensure mutual accountability of Government and relevant partners and stakeholders during implementation?

- Is the EDSP implementable by the central government and sub-national authorities such as MOET and provincial Departments of Education and Training (DOETs) (i.e., how this will translate to their respective work-plans, including at the decentralized levels)?

Long Description

V. Key deliverables
1. Inception report, including a detailed work plan, key documents to be reviewed and key actors to be interviewed virtually.
2. Draft appraisal report, to be shared with MOET/VNIES, ESG members, including the GPE Secretariat, and UNESCO, for their written comments and feedback, based on which the report will be revised.
3. Presentation of findings and recommendations to MOET/VNIES, ESG members, and UNESCO, based on the draft appraisal report at a workshop (hybrid mode). The agenda and methodology for this workshop will be developed in consultation with VNIES, UNESCO and UNICEF.
4. Final appraisal report, including recommendations that MOET will consider integrating into the EDSP for improvement and finalization.
(Note: The appraisal report prepared by the independent reviewer(s) should have clear recommendations on key areas of improvement in the EDSP. It is reviewed and discussed by the Education Sector Group, to agree on improvements required in the short term (prior to endorsement) and, if needed, during plan implementation. Areas for immediate improvement must be addressed before the EDSP can be considered finalized (GPE Guidelines for ESPDG).)

 

VI. Duration and timeline
This consultancy is expected to take place between 10 and 15 working days in total during the period of two months. 

 

VII. Work location and official travel involved
The work will be undertaken on-line and will not require international and local travel.
 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) or higher in education, social sciences, international development.
• At least 10 years of relevant working experience in developing country contexts.
• Experience of carrying out past independent appraisals or evaluations/assessments of education sector plans. 
• A good command of education sector planning, programming, budgeting and implementation.
• Completed the GPE/IIEP Training on the Fundamentals of Independent Appraisal of Education Sector Plans.
• Excellent level of English language (written, spoken and reading comprehension) 
• Excellent writing, analytical and synthesis skills.
• Excellent computing skills, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and related programmes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with counterparts in ministries and at the local levels
• Demonstrated personal sensitivity and commitment to the values and principles of equity, inclusion, gender equality and cultural diversity

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Viet Nam and the local context is an asset.
• Previous UN/UNESCO experience is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents, in addition to completing the online application form:
(a) Detailed CV
(b) Relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max. 300 words)
(c) Proposed approach and methodology (max 1,500 words), including: (i) Timeline and milestones. and (ii) Risk and mitigation measures.

(d) Financial proposal: Interested candidates are requested to submit a financial proposal, using the template shown below. The candidates are asked to estimate how many days will be required to complete each of the four key deliverables and provide the amount of the consultancy fee in USD for each of the corresponding deliverable in the template, keeping in mind that the consultancy is expected to take place between 10 and 15 working days during the period of two months and the total amount of the consultancy fee is expected to range from around USD 6,000 to USD 8,400 (maximum).
 

Deliverables Number of working days Amount (USD) 1     2     3     4     Total:    

(e) Certificate of completion of the GPE/IIEP Training on the Fundamentals of Independent Appraisal of Education Sector Plans
(f) Annex: Short sample or links to related work previously conducted by the consultant.

Note: If you have any difficulty in attaching the requested documents to the online application, please submit the documents to: hanoi@unesco.org with the subject “UNESCO Consultancy – Viet Nam EDSP Appraisal”.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

Footer

UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.