Call for applications - Development of the ADEA ICQN-TL Strategic Framework

Applications (Technical and Financial Proposal) must be sent to adea-applications@afdb.org no later than 25^th May 2024 at midnight GMT. The subject of the e-mail should be “Consultant to develop ICQN-TL Strategic Framework”

The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is the voice of education reform in Africa. ADEA’s vision to empower “African countries to develop education and training systems that respond to their emergent needs and that drive Africa’s social and economic transformation sustainably”. The Association plays a significant role in the education space as a convener, knowledge creator, and forum for policy dialogue that brings together ministers of education and key stakeholders. As a Pan-African knowledge hub for peer-to-peer learning, ADEA elevates the voice of Africa on education priorities through organizing or participating in high-level policy dialogue forums worldwide, continental, and regional levels. The ADEA strategic plan is aligned to the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2016-2025 (CESA 16-25) and the global Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 on Education (SDG4).

ADEA's country-led Inter-Country Quality Node (ICQN) network serves the needs of African governments to deliver inclusive, relevant, and equitable quality education by enhancing collaboration and coordination across stakeholders and national borders through capacity building, peer learning, and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.

The ICQN on Teaching and Learning (ICQN-TL) is hosted by the Ministry of Education, Rwanda. The ICQN promotes policy dialogue and collaborative action among African Ministers of Education and strategic partners for advancing quality teaching and learning in their countries and in Africa. The current member countries of this ICQN include Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Liberia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, and Zambia.

The collaborative approach and networking supports the exchange of knowledge on concepts, research findings and capacity building to respond to the varying contexts in which teaching and learning programs are implemented.

The ICQN supports Ministers of Education to take the lead in developing and implementing policies and strategies for effective teaching and learning in Africa. To contribute effectively to strengthening educational systems, enhancing teaching and learning outcomes, and improving teaching and learning systems and strategies in Africa, the ICQN seeks to develop its five-year strategic framework. The framework will facilitate enhancing greater knowledge creation and collective action among the ICQN’s member countries and other education stakeholders in Africa.

Recognizing the diverse educational landscapes and challenges faced by African nations, this framework will promote collaboration, innovation, and best practices in teaching and learning methodologies. The ICQN is looking for a short-term resource person to drive the development of the costed strategic framework that incorporates a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation, and a resource mobilization strategy and plan covering the period 2024-2028.

Reporting to the ADEA Senior Projects Officer at the strategic level and to the ICQN-TL Coordinator at the programmatic level, the short-term consultants will perform the following tasks.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing teaching and learning strategic frameworks, policies, and initiatives within African countries and internationally (published in the recent 5 years by ADEA, African Union organs or UN Agencies and other stakeholders).
• Identify common challenges, best practices, and innovative approaches in teaching and learning across diverse contexts within Africa.
• Engage stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, researchers, and civil society organizations, through consultations, and surveys to gather additional inputs and feedbacks.
• Develop a draft costed strategic framework that integrates evidence-based practices, emerging trends, and contextual considerations relevant to African educational systems.
• Refine the draft framework based on feedback received from stakeholders and experts through iterative review processes.
• Develop a draft resource mobilization strategy and plan, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.
• Refine the draft resource mobilization strategy and plan, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms based on feedback from ADEA.
• Produce and submit the final version of the strategic framework accompanied by an implementation plan, resource mobilization strategy and plan, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.

1. Inception report: Report outlining strategic issues, promising practices and interventions, key project activities, timelines, and methodology for ADEA and ICQN TL feedback.
2. Conduct the Stakeholder Strategic Framework feedback meetings.
3. Draft costed Inter-Country Quality Node on Teaching and Learning Strategic Framework 2024-2029 with implementation plan, resource mobilization strategy and plan, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.
4. Pre-validated costed Strategic Framework & draft PowerPoint presentation for the validation meeting.
5. Pre-validated implementation plan, resource mobilization strategy and plan, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms
6. Validated costed Strategic Framework with implementation plan, resource mobilization strategy and plan, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.

Draft Timeline for the assignment

The selected short-term resource person is expected to commence the assignment on 3^rd June 2024 and complete by 7^th July 2024 as per the timelines below.

• At least a master’s degree in education, strategic planning, public finance, or related fields and a minimum of 10 years relevant working experience in leading and managing teams in a diverse cultural environment;
• Solid track record in strategic planning and leadership development, high caliber in research and evaluation of teaching and learning initiatives, having worked with ministry of education will be an added value;
• Based in Africa, with experience working in African countries and a solid track record of undertaking strategic planning projects;
• Fluency in either English or French language (written and oral) and a working knowledge of the other language;
• Excellent skills in working with computers and using applications such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, internet, communication, and social media use;
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, multi-project environment;
• Demonstrated track record of engagement with African governments and diverse partners intervening in education sector.

Applications (Technical and Financial Proposal) must be sent to adea-applications@afdb.org no later than 25^th May 2024 at midnight GMT. The subject of the e-mail should be “Consultant to develop ICQN-TL Strategic Framework”

Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted through formal correspondence via e-mail. Candidates are strongly advised not to contact ADEA or staff members to inquire about the status of their application.