Call for Applications: Update of the Continental Mapping Study on Higher Education and Scientific Research in Africa

The deadline for submission of applications (CV and cover letter) is Sunday 26 June 2022 at midnight (12:00 AM) GMT to the following address: adea-applications@afdb.org. The subject of the email should be: “Update of the Mapping Study on HESR in Africa”.

The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is the voice for educational transformation in Africa, a forum for policy dialogue, a partnership between African Ministers of Education and Training; technical and financial partners; and a key player in capacity building in African countries.

The ADEA Inter-country Quality Node on Higher Education and Scientific Research (ICQN-HESR) brings together representatives of Ministries of Higher Education from different countries and education experts to create a network of actors around higher education, research, and innovation. Countries learn from shared experiences to improve their own policies and practices in the different sub-sectors or domains.

As part of defining the strategic direction of ICQN-HESR for 2023-2027, ADEA conducted a mapping study of the higher education and scientific research landscape in Africa in July 2020. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of higher education and scientific research have been exacerbated. This new situation calls for the development of new strategies to cope with the changes in higher education, research, and innovation.

As a result of the pandemic, higher education institutions have been closed for many months with negative effects on teaching, learning and research. To inform the 2023-2027 strategic framework the ICQN-HESR developed in March 2022, it is necessary to update the mapping study of July 2020, carried out at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the implosion of the student population in Africa increases the need to find outlets for higher education graduates. Therefore, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) must be given a prominent place in higher education. 

The study should consider the advent of the 4^th industrial revolution, digitalisation and the role of higher education in addressing the challenges of global climate change.

The results of the consultants' work will be presented and validated at a workshop in July 2022, by experts, country representatives, technical and financial partners and ADEA representatives under the auspices of the Senegalese Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.

The overall objective is to update the mapping study of higher education and scientific research conducted in the different regions of the continent (North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa), in order to inform the implementation of the 5-year strategic framework for ICQN-HESR.

The specific objectives are as follows:

• To provide information on the strengths and weaknesses of the current higher education and scientific research systems in each of the five African regions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; 
• To provide information on the experience and current good practice in higher education and scientific research that could be shared between member countries;
• To identify technical and financial partners involved in higher education and scientific research in the different regions of the continent (activities, themes addressed, commitment, etc.);
• To provide evidence to inform the various actions to be implemented under the ICQN-HESR strategic framework 2023-2027; and
• Propose other relevant and feasible specific objectives not listed in the previous mapping study.

• A work schedule covering the entire consultation period;
• A report that includes:
  • A situational analysis of the post-COVID context of higher education and scientific research in each region;
  • Results of the study based on the effects of the massification of the workforce and the COVID-19 pandemic and the new strategic orientations of the ICQN; 
  • A map of technical and financial partners involved in higher education and scientific research in the different regions of the continent (activities, themes addressed, commitment, etc.);
• A PowerPoint presentation of the draft continental report to be presented at a technical validation workshop to be convened by the consultants; and 
• Final report sent to the ADEA Secretariat and ICQN-HESR. A synthesis report based on the continental report will be produced and annexed to the ICQN strategic framework. 

• A senior education/training expert with at least a Master's degree in education, social sciences or related fields, with a minimum of seven (10) years of proven experience in higher education and scientific research in Africa, and has previously carried out similar work. 
• Good knowledge of higher education, scientific research and innovation issues on the continent;
• Experience working with ADEA, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Union or a reputable research institution will be an asset; 
• Fluency in English and/or French and excellent writing skills; 
• Experience in preparing study reports and strategic documents; 
• Experience in regional analysis or research;
• Good knowledge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT);
• Excellent skills in the use of applications such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a multi-project, fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

The ADEA Secretariat will determine the precise work schedule with the selected consultants. The whole process will run from early July to mid-September 2022.

Applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent to adea-applications@afdb.org no later than Sunday 26 June 2022 at midnight (12:00 AM) GMT. The subject of the email should be “Update of the Mapping Study on HESR in Africa”

Due to the high volume of applications, only selected candidates will be contacted by email. Candidates are strongly advised not to contact ADEA or staff members to inquire about the status of their application. 

Duty Station: Based in Dakar or Abidjan. Remote working possible.