Re-advertise: Consultancy Services for the Development of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025

JOB POSTING

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ASEAN WORK PLAN

ON EDUCATION 2021–2025

SUMMARY ABOUT THE PROJECT

Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is a five-year project (October 2019 – October 2024) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and managed by Cowater International. FSSP provides administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical services as well as support to the in-country development programming for the Government of Canada through the provision of technical specialists in gender equality, governance and human rights, and environment and climate action and assisting GAC in procuring and managing local development initiatives. These programs will take place in Indonesia and the ASEAN regions.

It is expected that the lndonesia-ASEAN FSSP will increase the effectiveness and relevance of Canada's international assistance program in Indonesia and in the ASEAN region. Technical Specialists procured under the FSSP will support GAC in responding to the needs and priorities of Indonesia and the ASEAN region, policy dialogue and knowledge building and sharing.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

ASEAN Secretariat requires the consultancy services for the development of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021–2025. The Consultant will also provide advices and suggestions on common or shared programmes and activities among the work plans on education, youth and sports and others. The Consultant will be reporting to the Senior Officials Meeting on Education (SOM-ED) of the ASEAN Secretariat or his/her designated officers. The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

           1.  ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021–2025 (Draft for consideration and approval by ASEAN Member States)

The draft work plan will specify strategic areas and actions, recommend good approaches in implementing those actions, and provide a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating the progress of the work plan’s implementation. The work plan will be anchored on ensuring lifelong learning such as promoting various entry points for learning and making pathways available across the different stages of education, mainly (i) basic education, (ii) technical and vocational education and training, and (iii) higher education. Overarching and cross-cutting elements to be integrated in the work plan include the following: (i) inclusive quality education, (ii) education for sustainable development, (iii) information and communications technology in education, and (iv) addressing out-of-school children and youth. Other priorities may also be raised by AMS over the course of the development of the work plan. The draft work plan be considered for endorsement and approval by the SOM-ED and the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting, respectively.

2. Inputs to the Draft ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025 and Draft ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025, with a focus on a set of suggested common or shared programmes and activities among the work plans on education, youth and sports and others.

The ASEAN youth ministers agreed to structure the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025 based on the domains of ASEAN Youth Development Index. As a result, there will be priority areas falling under education, such as those related to the provision of digital skills with a view towards promoting entrepreneurship and ensuring employment opportunities. As to the work plan on sports, the common or shared programmes and activities will most likely be related to sports for development and peace, physical education, and access to sports in schools in the context of the right to play.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Working on a day-to-day basis under the direction of SOM-ED of the ASEAN Secretariat, the expected services of the Consultant will include, but not be limited to:

Undertake a desk review of commitments that are relevant to the ASEAN education sector which should be addressed in the work plan;
Develop a Draft Work Plan to be reviewed and approved by SOM-ED and the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting;
Work closely with the ASEAN youth senior officials on the structure of the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021-2025 based on the domains of ASEAN Youth Development Index;
Provide substantial advice and suggestions on the common or shared programmes and activities among the work plans on education, youth and sports and others;
Organise meetings with stakeholders, experts, and AMS which will be convened by the ASEAN Secretariat, with guidance from the SOM-ED and in collaboration with other dialogue partners, within the period of engagement, and
Any other relevant tasks as assigned by the SOM-ED of the ASEAN Secretariat.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

ASEAN Secretariat requires the services of one Regional Expert with specific expertise in education sector planning and/or education policy, a thorough understanding of ASEAN processes and those of its partners, and a general knowledge of official development assistance principles.

The Consultant is responsible for the quality of all reports they produce and submit.

Required skills and experience:

Master’s degree, preferably PhD in a relevant field in education policy or social sciences;
Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in education sector planning or education policy (specialisation in lifelong learning would be preferred);
Thorough understanding and in-depth knowledge of ASEAN, the ASEAN Community, and the ASEAN education landscape;
Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in the areas of youth development and physical education or sports for development is an advantage;
Extensive knowledge and experience in the development and operationalization of monitoring and evaluation principles, framework and tools, including formulation of outcome-based indicators;
Extensive experience in undertaking performance/progress reviews on the implementation of work plans at the regional level;
Strong research and analytical skills, communication (oral and written), facilitation, and management skills;
Extensive knowledge and sound experience in project management;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders; and
Familiarity in working with the ASEAN Secretariat and AMS (preferable).
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant shall be home-based within the ASEAN region, with possible travels in Jakarta and other cities in the region, and would regularly report to the ASEAN Secretariat. Working over the weekend or after regular office hours may be required. The Consultant is expected to rely on his/her expertise, conduct an extensive literature review, and perform triangulation by discussing with experts. The drafts produced by the Consultant will be peer reviewed by experts, the result of which should be incorporated by the Consultant.

A consultant evaluation will be completed in order for regular payment to be released upon satisfactory delivery of the assignments. In the event that travel to other regions or cities is necessary, all necessary costs will be borne by GAC, through the Field Support Services Project (FSSP), following the approval of a travel plan and associated budget.

DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

The total expected duration of the assignment is up to 130 days spread over a period of nine (9) months from April to December 2020. All reports must be finalized and submitted within this period.

Payments will be processed against the reports (deliverables) therefore a financial report is requested for each deliverable, giving the flexibility for the Consultant to manage the number of days to spend on each deliverable within the defined timeframe.

How to apply:

Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications to admin@fssp.or.id latest by Friday 13 March 2020:

CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
Brief statement as to why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and highlighting his/her thorough understanding and in-depth knowledge of ASEAN, the ASEAN Community, and the ASEAN education landscape.
Financial Proposal shall be submitted in the following format:

The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate for up to 130 working days;
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee and when applicable any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract, not including travel expenses.
 Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process.

EVALUATION OF APPLICATION

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of the weighted criteria (70% technical score (comprising of 15% technical qualifications desk review, 25% written test, and 30% interview) and 30% financial score.

The proposals that achieve a minimum of 70% for the technical qualifications desk review shall be further considered for an interview and written test. The financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received for the assignment.

Technical Score (70%)

Financial Score (30%)

Technical qualifications desk review (based on the criteria and points listed below) (15%)
2.     Written test (25%)

3.     Interview  (30%)

 Technical Qualifications Desk Review

The evaluation of the Technical criteria will be as follows:


St No
Criteria
Points
1
Academic qualifications of the Consultant.
10 points
2
Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in education sector planning or education policy (specialisation in lifelong learning would be preferred).
30 points
3
Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in the areas of youth development and physical education or sports for development is an advantage.
20 points
4
Extensive knowledge and experience in the development and operationalization of monitoring and evaluation principles, framework and tools, including formulation of outcome-based indicators.
20 points
 5
Extensive experience in undertaking performance/progress reviews on the implementation of work plans at the regional level.

10 points
6
Understanding and in-depth knowledge of ASEAN, the ASEAN Community, and the ASEAN education landscape.
10 points

Total points
100 points

ABOUT US

With more than 34 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec, Paris, France, Pretoria, South Africa, and London, United Kingdom, Nairobi, Kenya in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.