Background

N.B.

Applications through UNDP jobs will not be accepted, only to the procurement.cv@cv.jo.un.org email address.

Interested candidates are required to read the Procurement Notice for Individual Consultants and its related documents, which are available in the following websites:

Backgound:

Over the past 10 years, Cabo Verde has concentrated its efforts on the development of various strategic and guiding documents of its development policy in all societal cross sections issues taking into account the achievement of the objectives of growth and poverty reduction and the implementation of the new 2030 transformation agenda.

Among these documents, it is to highlight the Strategic Plan for Growth and Poverty Reduction (DECRP), a planning tool that articulates the different sectoral policies and development strategies, based on strategic objectives, where human capital and institutional strengthening capacities result from the adjustments on the education system in order to increase the capacity and employability.

On the other hand, but still within the same goal the new Education Policy (Annex 1), approved by the Council of Ministers on 28 January 2016. The new policy document presents an integrated vision of education, i.e., from pre-school to higher education, integrating technical and vocational training, and in a life cycle approach and consolidation of investment in human resources. The proposed guidelines are based on measures identified from the diagnostic analysis on the situation of education in Cabo Verde (Annex 2) developed by a team comprising the three Ministries, at the time directly involved in the education sector, namely i) Ministry of Education and Sports; ii) Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation; and iii) Ministry of Youth, Employment and Human Resources Development. The process also included participation of other partners, among which it is to highlight the Ministry of Finance through the National Planning Department, the Directorate-General of Treasury and the National Institute of Statistics.

During this process a costing model for education in Cabo Verde (on the horizon of 2025) was developed - an instrument of support to the arbitrations which backed up the policy decisions contained in the new Education Policy. This costing model should also provide the basis upon which the operational plans will be built.

The diagnosis of the education system allowed the identification of constraints and nature of constrains which cause the unbalance between the efficiency levels required and the achieved results desired. Thus, the new education policy takes into account the current context of the country’s economic and social development and elects as its foundation guidelines, the equity and a coherently organized policy in a context of financial sustainability.

In this respect, the Education Policy proposes as priorities and approaches to improve the quality and relevance of education and training services offered by i) improving the learning and students’ skills in basic education (highlighting the role of pre-school and taking into account the work developed in this sector, in particular the program for Early Childhood), ii) improving the learning and skills of students from 7th to 10th grade to ensure a significant reduction of failures and dropouts, iii) where the vocational training is required to play an enhanced and systemic role, iv) improving the quality and relevance which also includes higher education. The same Policy also requires a major effort to efficiency and system management, improved methods of organization efficiency and make some savings without compromising the quality of services provided and the design of a new management structure and gradual implementation.

The changes following the parliamentary elections on March 2016, with a new government and new government program, introduce new elements in the context of the work and in the Educational Policy Charter, so a setting work for the alignment of Policy Letter with the new government program is ongoing and should be taken into account for this consultancy.

The materialization of these guidelines requires action and operational plans that enable effective coordination between the different subsystems and takes into account the particular sectorial specificities. It is within this context, that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in the framework of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), supports Cabo Verde on the development of coherent policy documents and based on evidence for the implementation of actions aiming to improve educational quality.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this consultancy is to prepare, using a methodology that ensures broad participation of the different sectors and civil society, three Operational Plans (2017-2020) for the implementation of the new Education Policy. These plans should cover all Sectors of Education: pre-school, basic education, secondary education, vocational training and higher education and should aim to, on the one hand, respond to the weaknesses identified in the diagnosis and, on the other, allows the results sought to be achieved aiming at quality in the mid and long terms.

Specific objectives:

  • Identify the operational and priority actions/interventions for the implementation of the policy guidelines issued by the Charter of Education Policy for each sub-sector;
  • Prepare budgeted plans based on the costing model taking into account the rationalization of costs a priori considered "superfluous" in education converging the sectors of pre-school, basic, secondary schools, vocational training and higher education.
  • Propose mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation of the new education policy consistent with the system;
  • Define the institutional and coordination framework as well as funding mechanisms and system management;
  • Write the final document integrating the operational plans under the new education sector plan in the light of the new Education Policy.

Methodology:

The preparation of the Action Plan and the respective operational plans shall be based on a detailed and scheduled work proposal specifying the activities to be developed.

The methodology should include, among other actions:

  • A comprehensive document review, including the legislative process, the Education Sectoral Analysis and the Costing Model; the analysis in the framework of Early Childhood, the new Education Policy, different government policy documents, as well as statistical information and other studies conducted in that period, relevant to this process;
  • Conduct individual and/or group interviews with the key institutions and partners involved in the process implementation;
  • Organization and facilitation of in-depth work of construction of operational plans with the sectorial and national teams, integrated by the ministries mentioned above;
  • Presentations and analysis with the Local Education Group; Implementation of socialization actions and validation of the Plan integrating the main partners involved in its execution.

Results/Expected Outcomes

The main expected outcomes are:

An Action Plan integrating the three Operational Plans for the implementation of the new orientations issued by the new Education Policy: 1) A plan for basic and secondary education, with a clear link with the Program for the Development of Early Childhood (PAPI); 2) A plan for professional training which proposes interventions for effective job opportunities for those who want to follow a technical vocational track and contributes to the flow regulation in the intermediate component of the system; 3) A Plan for Higher Education.

The plans must contain a basic structure comprising:

  • Background and the main path to constraints based on sectoral diagnosis;
  • The performance principles, goals, strategic and intervention actions based on activities accurately budgeted and scheduled for the period 2017-2020;
  • The institutional framework for intervention, coordination and partnership and responsibility;
  • The planning chronogram;
  • The mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation;
  • The budget for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Competencies

  • Team working abilities and adaptability to cultural diversity, and interaction with diverse groups;
  • Clear and effective communication skills;
  • Helping to create an open communication environment. Providing oral/written information in a timely, effective and easy manner. Preparing written material in a manner that requires little or no editing or correction by others;
  • Expertise in developing programs and policies results-oriented.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced Education (Master's degree or higher) in Social Sciences, Educational Sciences, Economics or related field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years demonstrating proven experience in the field of strategic planning, particularly in Education and/or related fields;
  • Proven experience in developing similar works.

Language:

  • Ability to work in Portuguese and proficiency in French and/or English.

Submission of applications:

All applications should be submitted to the following email address procurement.cv@cv.jo.un.org  indicating the following reference "International Consultancy for the preparation of Operational Plans for the new Education Policy” by 10 August 2016.

The application dossier must include the following:

  • The consultant’s Curriculum, mentioning detailed qualifications, experience and skills. UN P.11 form filled. If the consultant intends to subcontract other elements he/she must also provide their specified curricula vitae for review. References specified in P11 should be available and containing information for reference check;
  • A methodological description that presents in a clear, precise and concise manner the management and organization scheme of this exercise, the process/approach, tools and tasks to be carried on;
  • A financial proposal (lump sum) including the fees, travel costs (in particular for missions, living allowance and others) considered inherent to the consulting. The financial proposal shall indicate the overall amount of the proposed all-inclusive (LUMPSUM), and shall be presented according to the breakdown costs as per template provided in Annex. The fees shall be set taking into account the level and degree of consultant’s experience according to the United Nations standards and depending on the range they have adopted. The technical proposal must be presented separately from the financial proposal; otherwise the application will not be considered;
  • A letter confirming the interest and availability for the consultancy (Template for Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal).

For further information or clarification, please contact debora.sousa@cv.jo.un.org.