Call For Applications: Development of 5-year Costed Strategic Framework (2022-2026) for ADEA Inter-Country Quality Node on Higher Education and Scientific Research

Deadline for submissions is October 10, 2021 at midnight (12:00 am) GMT to the following address: adea-applications@afdb.org. The subject of the e-mail should be “Development of 5-year Costed Strategic Framework for ADEA ICQN-HESR”.

Background

In a world characterized by a knowledge-based economy, the availability of well-trained and highly qualified human resources is the key to sustainable development. It is now established that education in general, and especially higher education, are determining factors of economic growth, job creation, competitiveness in the global market, socio-cultural revitalization and improvement of the standard of living of the populations. Some Asian and Latin American countries have understood this well by adopting proactive policies in the field of education, training, research and innovation, the basis of their exemplary economic and social development.

These countries owe their emergence to heavy and intelligent investments which have enabled the training, in various fields, of a skilled professional and technical workforce capable of meeting development needs.

For Africa, it is a question of defining the ways and means to equip itself with an efficient and competitive higher education, capable of producing qualified and operational graduates (“employable” and / or capable of creating jobs) and relevant and innovative knowledge (research and innovation). Achieving these objectives essentially involves the creation of synergies at the level of higher education; spaces for harmonizing training through a single terminology; and the facilitation of scientific exchanges within and between countries.

It is in this perspective that the Inter Country Quality Node on Higher Education and Scientific Research (ICQN-HESR) hosted by Senegal, with support from the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), carried out the regional mapping study of higher education and scientific research in Africa.

This regional mapping study is key to the development of the 5-year Costed Strategic Framework for the ICQN. The study took place in a context marked by:

• Educational and institutional disparities within higher education in the same area;
• Persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is straining the education system, in particular higher education.

The Strategic Framework will be based on the conclusions and recommendations of the regional mapping study and the Continental Report on HESR in Africa, underpinned by the ADEA strategic vision and mission; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025 (CESA 16-25); Science, Technology, and Innovation strategy for Africa (STISA-2024); and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. It will guide the implementation of activities and institutional frameworks that enable ICQN-HESR to encourage peer learning and knowledge exchange on common policies at regional and continental level, in light of the priorities identified during mapping study.

Expected outcomes driven by the 5-year Costed Strategic Framework

• Outcome 1: Establishment of a coalition of countries to overcome the major challenges of higher education: governance, financing, employability, disaster resilience (remote education) and research.
• Outcome 2: Capacity building for policy, planning, management, coordination, and delivery of quality higher education.
• Outcome 3: Strengthened quality assurance systems to improve the quality of higher education.
• Outcome 4: Regular dialogue between African ministries of higher education and research to share experiences, knowledge and innovative solutions in education and research.
• Outcome 5: Implementation of a robust Partnership Mobilization Strategy for the ICQN-HESR.

The Inter-Country Quality Node on Higher Education and Scientific Research (ICQN-HESR)

The ICQN-HESR is a platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange between African ministries of higher education, scientific research and innovation, and capacity building in higher education programs.

The ICQN, thus, brings together representatives (focal points) of ministries from different countries to deal with issues defined as national priorities already included in their current plans and programs. The countries form a network for discussion, sharing on the challenges encountered, and the solutions tested.

The ICQN adopts a joint approach to problem solving, for which they are supported by one or more specialized national and / or regional institutions allied to a strategic partner or an international specialized institution.

Purpose of the assignment

General objective

The main objective of this assignment is to develop a 5-year costed strategic framework that will provide an appropriate coordination mechanism, policy formulation, facilitation and management of higher education and research institutions for the ICQN.

Policy analysis on HESR should be done at the level of strategic think tanks, or according to priority axes defined at the continental or regional level. The strategy will also enhance capacity building and knowledge sharing among African countries, given their local contexts.

Specific objectives

Under the supervision of the ICQN HESR and ADEA Secretariat, the consultant will perform the following functions:

• Develop a strategic framework, based on the mapping studies of higher education and scientific research in the five Regional Economic Communities (RECs) of the African Union, which will guide the work of ICQN-HESR for the next five (5) years;
• Develop a costed action plan of priority activities for 2022-2026, underpinned by the strategic framework above, such as facilitation through peer learning and knowledge exchange for countries to spearhead professional development in higher education and scientific research.

Expected results and Schedule

The consultant is expected to produce the following results within the specified time frames:

• An inception report (summarizing the literature review, methodology, tools and work plan) of the 5-year costed Strategic Framework for ICQN-HESR, to be submitted and presented to ADEA in fifteen (15) days after signature of the contract;
• First draft of the 5-year costed Strategic Framework within thirty (30) days following the presentation of the inception report. The consultant will present this first draft to the ICQN-HESR, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Senegal and ADEA Secretariat for feedback;
• Revised draft of the 5-year costed Strategic Framework presented and validated by HESR experts and partners, fifteen (15) days after the submission of the first draft;
• Final version of the validated 5-year costed Strategic Framework, 7 days after the validation workshop, submitted to ICQN-HESR and ADEA Secretariat;
• PowerPoint presentation of the 5-year costed Strategic Framework.

Consultant / Resource Person Profile

Qualifications and skills

• Masters or PhD degree or its equivalent, with demonstrable relevant record of accomplishments in research and publication, and experience in managing and coordinating research projects;
• Tertiary teacher/trainer/lecturer or researcher involved in management, policy development or other relevant related fields of higher education;
• Knowledge and at least ten (10) years of general professional experience in the development of higher education management systems in various countries and contexts, in collaboration with different stakeholders in the higher education sector.

Specific professional experience of higher education systems

• Proven relevant experience with public and/or private sector institutions in education system reforms, strategic management, evaluation and analysis;

• Proven professional experience in the implementation of programs and projects relevant to education;
• Good understanding of the main concepts related to active reform initiatives in higher education in Africa, including policies, legal and regulatory environment and organizational and management structure of the system;
• Knowledge and experience in the design, assessment and strengthening of the coordination / management / development of strategic frameworks in higher education in Africa.

General and linguistic skills

• Ability to deal with decision-makers and senior officials;
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize issues and develop higher education strategic documents;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English or French, with a working knowledge of the other.

Ability to work independently, as well as in a team:

• Strong skills in problem solving and positive attitude;
• Excellent communication and analytical skills;
• Work experience in higher education systems in Senegal and other African countries is an added advantage.

Requirements / Call for Applications

Interested applicants must submit the following elements:

• Consultant's CV and examples of similar assignment (undertaken no more than 5 years from 2021);
• A guidance strategy document (maximum four pages) on the analysis of policies on higher education and research functions, summarizing understanding of the mandate, methods used, and highlighting best practices, challenges, opportunities, and areas of interest for the strategy;
• A draft plan and timeline for the completion of the study;
• Financial proposal with a budget for the tasks to be accomplished.

Deadline for submissions is October 10, 2021 at midnight (12:00 am) GMT to the following address: adea-applications@afdb.org. The subject of the e-mail should be “Development of 5-year Costed Strategic Framework for ADEA ICQN-HESR”.

Due to the high volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted through a formal correspondence via e-mail. Please do not contact ADEA or staff members to enquire about the status of your application.