Terms of Reference (TORs)
For
Consultancy to Conduct Research on Use of ICT and its Impact on Learning Outcomes of Children in Non-formal Basic Education (NFBE) Centers
Urban Smart Schools Project - USSP
Non formal Basic Education NFBE WVI | Pakistan,
Urban Program District Rawalpindi
Introduction
World Vision International WVI I Pakistan with the technical and financial support of WV Australia and Learning Hubs, intends to address the issues related to improvement of NFBE in 7 urban union councils of District Rawalpindi together with research on effectiveness of ICT based learning. The project target more than 1000 out of Schools children / learners enrolled in 20 NFBE centers of Rawalpindi District. WVP has initiated an ICT based capacity building and learning for students & teachers, psychosocial support to children / learners and engagement of stakeholders for improved coordination and monitoring in the project.
The ICT based learning has only been piloted in 10 NFBE centers, providing the opportunities to compare the results of ICT-based learning with rest of 10 NFBE centers where ICT facility will not be provided. Rest of the project interventions will remain the same in all the 20 NFBE Centers. The research part will add value in terms of technology effectiveness and providing advocacy agenda points for future planning with the government.
The Literacy and Non-formal Basic Education – LNFBE Department in District Education Department – DED Rawalpindi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding – MoU with WVI | Pakistan Urban Program Rawalpindi to launch the ICT integration in NFBE centers naming this initiative as Urban Smart Schools Project (USSP).
2.0 Purpose of Assignment of the Consultancy.
World Vision Pakistan needs the services of a qualified and well experienced consultant with research background to conduct a research on use of ICT and its impact on learning outcomes of children in Non-formal Basic Education (NFBE) centers in close collaboration of the Urban Smart School Project (USSP) - NFBE team in Urban Program WVI | Pakistan. The research would draw a conclusion on use of ICT and its Impact on Learning Outcomes of Children in Non-formal Basic Education (NFBE) Centers with recommendation for future as an outcome of the process.
3.0 Objectives for Assignment of the Consultancy.
At the end of the assignment of the consultancy to conduct a research on use of ICT and its impact on learning outcomes of children in Non-formal Basic Education (NFBE) Centers, the program will be able to:
- Conduct a research on the defined topic / research question and ensure due quality work in all the phases of research process.
- Acquire data, analyze it and draw conclusion on the topic / research question
- Acquire a complete and presentable research report related to the topic / research question
4.0 Location for Assignment of the Consultancy
The assignment for consultancy to review the LNFBE policy is for Word Vision Pakistan’s urban program (specifically for USSP NFBE Project) Located in National Office of WVI | Pakistan Islamabad.
5.0 Methodology for Assignment of the Consultancy
- The consultancy to conduct research on use of ICT and its impact on learning outcomes of children in Non-formal Basic Education (NFBE) Centers will be based on multi-dimensional approach such as:
- Open advertisement for Expression of Interest – EoI from WVI | Pakistan
- Transparent and merit based selection of consultant by WVI | Pakistan
- Mutual agreement on deliverables between consultant and WVI| Pakistan
- Participatory approach for initiatives through meetings and feedbacks of the stakeholders
- In-depth Review of existing document available with the project team related to research chapter
- Constant update to stakeholders by consultant on progress in research work
- Team work through communication, guidance and feedback from NFBE project team
- Developing / compiling a final report on conduct research on use of ICT and its impact on learning outcomes
6.0 Deliverables and responsibilities of Consultant
- The consultant/Organization will submit the technical and financial proposals along with consultancy schedule separately in seal bid envelop to WVP in hard copy as well as in soft.
- The consultant will review, enrich and adjust the existing document available with the project team related to research chapter namely:
- Concept Note
- Exploration Phase Template
- Learning Hub Evidence Building Plan
- Literature Review
- The consultant will develop finally updated documents (Concept Note, Exploration Phase Template, Learning Hub Evidence Building Plan, and Literature Review) ready to be in-lined with research report.
- The consultant will design a plan which describes the research process and deliverables.
- The consultant will produce a research report against the predefined template by WVI.
- The consultant will review the existing evaluation design and will recommend any required changes including the the research concept note. .
- The consultant will conduct the research work smoothly and ensure the due quality work in all the phases of research process.
- The consultant will respond to queries and questions and follow ups by WVI Pakistan and other external stakeholders on evidence for change documents.
- The consultant will analyze data and draw conclusion on the research question.
- The consultant will provide a complete and presentable research report related to the topic / research question.
7.0 Deliverables and responsibilities of WV Pakistan
WV Pakistan is responsible for providing the following support to the consultant in review process of policy document of Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education (LNFBE) and developing / compiling a final reports:
- Provide a contact person to address any concerns or difficulties the consultant may encounter and to oversee the entire process.
- Provide support to consultant in conducting activity with stakeholders such as meetings, sharing and observation of policy application at field level.
- Provision of existing document available with the project team related to research chapter
- Timely sharing with consultant about feedback, observation and recommendations of WVI management on report submitted for review.
- Timely settlement of payments of financial agreements which are stated in this agreement.
- Provide any relevant WV Policies and Procedures that the consultant is expected to act in accordance with.
8.0 Timeframe
The consultancy will commence on 01/8/2016 and terminate on 15/9/2016 with the completion of all of the agreed upon deliverables. All final reports and documentation are to be submitted to World Vision Pakistan (WVP) upon termination of the contract period.
9.0 Logistics
Boarding, lodging and transport of the consultant will be the sole responsibility of the consultant.
10.0 Property / Copy right of the report
World Vision International WVI | Pakistan would be the solitary copy right / property right holder of the document “Research on Use of ICT and its Impact on Learning Outcomes of Children in Non-formal Basic Education (NFBE) Centers” and it would not be used in full or partial form by any individual, firm or institution for any purpose except prior formal approval and consent of WVI | Pakistan management.
11. Budget
The budget will be announced by WVI | Pakistan as per the defined budget for the activity. The decision will be upon mutual consent of WVI Pakistan and the consultant having due capacity & skill and agreeing to carry on and accomplish the assignment in the defined budget. However the consultant will propose budget in the form of separate financial proposal along with the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the assignment.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Subject : Hiring of indvidual consultant for Research on Use of ICT & Its Impact on Learning Out Comes of Children in Non-Formal Basic Education (NFBE) Centres. Rawalpindi.
Manner of Submission:
Proper sealed Bids including letter for Expression of Interest and detail CV to be submitted through Courier Services at Islamabad Office. Plot # 33, Al Rehman Mall, 3rd Floor, G/11 Markaz.Islamabad.
Note: Proposals must be send through courier services by two envelop system (technical (CV) & financial separately).
The Validity of proposal should be minimum 30 DAYS.
Proposal submitted by hand/fax/email will not be entertained.
Closing deadline: 29th July 2016.