Consultant – Pastoral Youth Education Initiative – Adeso

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.
Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Pastoralist Youth Education Initiative (PYEI) forms the second phase of Adeso’s approach to enhance economic and social opportunities of marginalized pastoral children in Marsabit, Kenya through improved access to quality education. Taking a holistic approach, the PYEI is seeking to develop proof of concept, determine a viable and successful framework and improve MEL framework.

BACKGROUND FOR CONSULTANCY
Adeso launched the Mobile Non-Formal Education (MNFE) project to enhance access to quality education for 300 nomadic children aged 13 to 18 years (180 girls and 120 boys) in Marsabit County in Northern Kenya, who are not enrolled in any formal schooling.
This initiative was a pilot program designed to explore alternative learning opportunities for non-traditional students especially targeting pastoral children and young girls. This initiative is being funded by Wellspring Advisors and there is the expectation that the consultant will both contribute and engage in the donor’s growing community of practice in this area of work.
The PYEI framework will directly contribute to the four strategic educational priorities for Marsabit County i.e. nomadic education and enhancement of access, retention and equity in education services. Building on the lessons learnt (see impact section) the second phase of PYEI will focus on:
• Improving education quality in the NFE centers
• Providing pathways to funding sources for post primary education (secondary and vocational education)
• Researching and putting in place strategies to aid transition, retention and improvement of learning outcomes for pastoralist children in secondary education.
• Providing appropriate vocational skills.

METHODOLOGY
The consultant will have the final decision regarding the overall methodology. In this regard, the consultant shall provide Adeso with an inception report, containing an overview of their understanding of the assignment, time schedule, planned activities, suggested methods as well as preliminary results to be reviewed and approved by Adeso PYEI Project Team.
The consultant will provide an analysis and discussion of facts and data within the assignment context. The literature will include among others: project documents and other existing literature and will be collected in advance and reviewed to get a better understanding of the PYEI Project and to sharpen the program design.
Some of the documents considered mandatory for this review will include information County government and policy makers on non-formal education in the region, information from community key leaders and the general public, other agencies in the region and the administration. The project target areas have been clustered geographically into sub-counties which the consultant is expected to observe.
With the facilitation of Project staff and Adeso Program Development Team, the consultant will develop a participatory work plan-framework where the main project stakeholders will be involved to give their input and views in the process. The overall process should ensure that crosscutting issues particularly gender, governance, environment and accountability to the extent possible are captured. Tools developed will be pre-tested to ensure those utilizing them and the targeted population alike have the same understanding of the main objective, and revised based on identified shortcomings. This also includes translation of the study tools into local language where necessary.
SCOPE OF WORK
Through the PYEI project is expected to build on the lessons learned from the MNFE project by innovating and adapting approaches to develop a sound proof of concept and determine a framework for our non-formal education approaches for pastoral communities. Therefore, consultant is expected to review the design of the MNFE & current PYEI to develop a proof of concept by exploring, identifying, adopting and integrating learning approaches in view of designing a high quality, innovative project for the next phase. The consultant is also expected to develop an M&E framework for the project.
The consultant shall develop a field visit plan to be approved by the Head of Programs and the PYEI Project Team. The consultant will be required to visit the project areas and undertake real time process/intervention assessment that will help provide the project teams with implementation reviews with the aim of improving project implementation (improved programming).
The consultant will be responsible for writing and presenting the overall report working closely with PYEI Project and Adeso PDQU Team. The report will document findings and provide a benchmark for measuring outcomes of project interventions.

CONSULTANCY PERIOD
• To be confirmed.

DELIVERABLES
• An inception report
• Final report
• An overall PYEI project MEAL framework including potential data collection tools

QUALIFICATIONS
• Masters of Education or related field.
• At least 5-10 years of relevant NGO project design, preferably in education. A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in education programs especially programs with a bias for pastoralist communities in Kenya.
• Good understanding of the project cycle including the logical framework analysis (LFA) and Results Based Management (RBM).
• Good understanding of the dynamics and complexities in the management of programs in pastoralist settings.
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options, and think and plan strategically.
• Coaching, mentoring and capacity building skills.
• Attention to detail and strong organization and planning skills.
• Excellent verbal and written English.
• Willing to travel regularly within remote areas.
• Resident of Marsabit County preferred.
• Sound knowledge of the education sector with a bias on literacy, numeracy, learning assessments and the policy context.
• Direct experience with or some exposure to policy advocacy work.

COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
In consideration of the fees paid, the Consultant expressly assigns to Adeso any copyright arising from the works the consultant produces while executing this contract. All images (whether used for online or print purposes) must however bear the consultant’s photo credit, as specified by international intellectual property rights. The consultant may not use, reproduce or otherwise disseminate or authorize others to use, reproduce or disseminate such works without prior consent from Adeso.

HOW TO APPLY:
All applications should be sent to consultancy@adesoafrica.org by the 24th July, 2017 with “Pastoral Youth Education Initiative” on the subject line. The selection committee will review all applications as they arrive. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered.
Each application package should include the following:
• An application letter addressing the selection criteria including how the consultant’s previous experience matches the consultancy objectives as well as the interest for the position. It should also indicate the candidate’s availability and consultancy rates. The letter should be no longer than two pages;
• A sample of recent work;
• Updated CV including relevant work experience and qualifications;
• Contact details of 2 references.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.

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