Improving Results in Secondary Education (IRISE): Hire an IT expert in education to support the implementation of subcomponent 3.1A and 3.3 of the IRISE Project

Project ID: P164932

Project Title: Improving Results in Secondary Education (IRISE)

Borrower Bid Reference: LR-MOE-295709-CS-INDV

Published Date: 25-Nov-2022

Details:

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REoI)

(CONSULTING SERVICES: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION)

1. Introduction

The Government of Liberia has received a grant equivalent to USD 47 million from the International Development Association (IDA) to implement the Improving Results in Secondary Education (IRISE) Project, hereinafter “the Project”. The Project duration is four years. The Ministry of Education (MoE) is the IRISE implementation agency responsible for project execution and results monitoring. The implementation will be overseen by the Ministry’s Senior Management Team (SMT). Subcomponent 3.3 of the project seeks to: i) provide opportunities for the acquisition of digital skills and competencies at the senior secondary level to ensure that students leaving senior secondary school possess the needed digital literacy skillset critical to a successful participation in the 21st Century labor market; and ii) equip teachers and school administrators for the integration of ICT in teaching at the senior secondary school level. To this end, the Ministry of Education intends to use a portion of the grant amount to hire the services of an individual consultant to support the Project Delivery Team (PDT) and Technical Working Group (TWG) in the implementation of the intervention as Education Technology (EdTech) Specialist.

2. Background

The Improving Results in Secondary Education (IRISE) Project (P164932), hereafter the “Project”, is a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) with IDA Grant No. D5030-LR in the amount of SDR 34 million (US$47 million equivalent) received in October 2019 by the Government of Liberia to address challenges confronting senior secondary education in the Country. The duration of the Project is four years. It became effective on October 15, 2019, and will end on November 30, 2023. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) is the direct recipient of the grant while the Ministry of Education (MoE) is the implementing agency responsible for project execution and results monitoring.

The Project development objective (PDO) is to improve equitable access to, and quality of secondary education; and provide a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Achievement of the PDO is through a set of activities grouped into five components. These are:

Component 1 - Improving access and learning environment at the senior secondary level;

Component 2 - Increasing opportunities for girls to transition to and complete senior secondary education;

Component 3 - Improving the quality and relevance of senior secondary education;

Component 4 - Capacity building, technical assistance, project management, coordination and monitoring and evaluation; and

Component 5 - Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC).

Progress towards achievement of the PDO is monitored through the following key indicators:

a.         Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) at the senior secondary level (percentage; and percentage female)

b.         Increased percentage of public and community senior secondary schools with a qualified teacher each in Math, Science and English

c.         Number of direct project beneficiaries (disaggregated by males and females)

d.         Students' perception about the adequacy of the conditions of their schools to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

One of the interventions under the project is the provision of opportunities for the acquisition of digital skills and competencies at the senior secondary level to ensure that students leaving senior secondary schools possess the needed digital literacy skillset critical to a successful participation in the 21st Century labor market. Sub-component 3.3 of the project supports: (i)  the  development of an ICT in Education Strategy including curriculum and competency frameworks for senior secondary schools (SSS) through Technical Assistance (TA); (ii) the purchase and distribution to 156 existing public and community SSS across Liberia, a set each of digital equipment containing EdTech software and learning resource contents that serves as platform for the acquisition of relevant digital literacy skills and delivery of the national  curriculum for grades 10 to 12; and (iii) evaluation of the intervention in order to determine achievement of the desire goals as articulated in the ICT in Education Strategy and competency framework.  In order to support the design, installation, deployment and implementation of the Education Technology System in the 156 public and community senior secondary schools across Liberia, the MoE intends to use portion of the Grant to hire the services of an individual consultant for the position of “Education Technology Specialist (EdTech Specialist).”

3. Objective of the Assignment

The Primary objective of Educational Technology Specialist is to provide technical guidance and advisory services to the Project and build the capacity of the Ministry staff in integrating technology into instruction and learning, and rolling out the education technology system to all the selected Senior Secondary Schools. This individual consultant will serve as an expert in the field of educational technology and will advise the MoE in terms of procuring, installing and deploying the EdTech learning technology in the 156 Senior Secondary Schools earmarked. The Educational Technology Specialist will sustain and promote the positive, effectual, responsible use of technology in instruction, and will be tasked to support the execution of the MoE’s ICT In Education Strategy.

More information is provided in the detailed Terms of Reference which can be assessed through the link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LLKunE3aMQ81prnhlbdYnvdomPs9u88g/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117596348503109785469&rtpof=true&sd=true

You may also obtain a copy of the Terms of Reference from the email addresses below: Procurement.irise@gmail.com, abkiazolu809@gmail.com copied to gquoquoiz@gmail.com 

The Ministry of Education now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Individual Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services by submitting the most current curriculum vitae/resume.

1. Shortlisting Criteria

The Consultant is expected to meet the following Minimum Qualification and Experience Requirements:

1. Master degree in education technology, education sciences, business administration, and technology related fields or an equivalent university degree;
2. At least 10 years of experience in utilizing EdTech for education and/or training, including the design and deployment of the technology in education;
3. Experience in at least two (and preferably more) of the following areas: policy design and development, digital infrastructure for education, digital skills development, digital learning resources, using technology to support teachers and/or improve access for disadvantaged groups; EdTech procurement, monitoring, evaluation, research, and development within a school / university environment; digital ethics, user privacy, safety and data protection;
4. At least five years demonstrable operational experience in the planning, management and/or implementation of large-scale educational technology projects and experience working in educational settings in low and middle-income countries with public institutions locally and or internationally would be ideal, especially in multiple regions.
5. Demonstrated ability and experience managing and working in the implementation of education technology projects in the public education sector;
6. Relevant strong analytical and quantitative skills, familiarity and experience with rigorous analysis and evaluation of education interventions with a technology focus.
7. At least one (1) capacity building experience in delivering technology/Edtech training to students, teachers, and other users of the system.  

Note: Only individuals with the required qualifications and relevant experience that meet the requirements of the REoI will be invited for interview.

The attention of Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018 and Fourth Edition, November 2020, setting forth the World Bank’s Policy on conflict of interest.

The Consultant will be selected under the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) Method under the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”, Fourth Edition, November 2020.

Expression of interest which must bear the title, “Education Technology Specialist” must be submitted in written form electronically to the address below (in person, or by mail or by email) by 17.00 hours local time on December 12, 2022. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8.30 hours to 16.30 hours, local time or through procurement.irise@gmail.com  and copied to abufahmed@yahoo.co.uk, gquoquoiz@gmail.com

Address for submission of expressions of interest:

Attention:

Abraham A. Kiazolu II

Project Coordinator

Improving Results in secondary Education (IRISE) Project

Ministry of Education (MoE)

E.J.S Ministerial Complex

Congo Town

Monrovia, Liberia

The address for online submission is: procurement.irise@gmail.com and copied to gquoquoiz@gmail.com

Organization/Department: Ministry of Education

Name: Abraham A. Kiazolu, II

Address: 3rd Street, SinkorMonrovia, Liberia

City:

Province/State:

Postal Code:

Country: Liberia

Phone: +231779062191

Email: abkiazolu809@gmail.com

Website: