Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Consultancy for Monitoring of the Free Education Implementation Policy
Terms of reference for the research to determine the effect of the free education policy in zambia
1. Background
Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) is a vibrant and a flagship Organisations of Community Schools since 1992 in Zambia that empowers communities to provide quality basic education to OVC especially girls and Children with disabilities. Premised on the principle that every child has a “right to education”, ZOCS through its three-pillar approach of Advocacy, Service Delivery and Capacity Building, has accomplished much for the children and people of Zambia reaching out to 224,847 learners (112,433 Boys and 112,414 Girls) in 1285 Demonstration Open Community Schools across 97 selected Districts in all the 10 Provinces of Zambia since its inception. ZOCS is unwavering in keeping these three aspects of the fore: more and better open, accessible schools for the disadvantaged children and communities, and these take priority over everything else.
Heartened by these achievements and spurred by the desire to accomplish even more, the organization has dedicated considerable time and resources to determining its way forward for the coming years. Its intentions are to consolidate what it has so far accomplished, branch out in new ventures and directions, and empower the provision of even more and better education opportunities to children who tend to be excluded. ZOCS’ work supplements the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the provision of quality education in Zambia.
With support from the Embassy of Ireland (EOI), ZOCS has been working towards ensuring that the underserved OVC who qualify to Secondary School are supported with bursaries to complete secondary education by December, 2022. Underserved children from Community Schools were prioritised for the bursary support to mitigate financial costs that prevented children from vulnerable households from completing their schooling and transition into secure livelihood. Wrap-around services such as mentoring were offered through the ZOCS alumni – a network of young people supported to complete secondary education by ZOCS with support from the EOI that supported bursaries since 2015.
2. Rationale for a study on the effect of the free education policy in Zambia
The Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) commends the New Dawn Government for the introduction of free education policy which promotes Education for All (EFA). To that end preliminary considerations indicate that the free education policy has seen a sharp rise in school enrolments including the number of children returning to school thereby causing pressure on the facilities that support teaching and learning in schools such as learning space, furniture (especially desks), teaching and learning materials (TLMs) and equipment as well as learner/teacher ratios. These and any other challenges need to be ascertained and documented in order to provide feedback based on empirical evidence aimed at strengthening the implementing of this policy for the benefit of all stakeholders especially learners.
Due to the aforementioned, the Zambia Open Community Schools is commissioning a study whose purpose is assess and document challenges and gaps related to the implementation the Free Education policy in Zambia. The study will involve the Ministry of Education coordinated by the Directorate of Planning and Information (DIP), Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) member organizations and ZOCS. The proposed study will target a minimum of 500 schools (Public and Community Schools) in all the ten (10) provinces of the country.
3. Description of Assignment
This is a twenty-one (21) days study aimed at understanding the challenges related to effective implementation of the Free Education Policy in Public and Community Schools with a view to addressing the gaps for the benefit of all stakeholders especially learners. The study will be led by the consultant who will be selected through a transparent process.
4. Scope of Work
The scope of work for the Consultant is as follows:
4.1. Finalization of TOR in collaboration with ZOCS
4.2. Preparation of Tools and an Inception Report
4.3. Writing the draft and final Reports
4.4. Holding debriefing meetings with ZOCS
4.5. Dissemination of Research Findings (2 Dissemination workshops, presenting findings to Partners and Stakeholders, Press Release, ZOCS Website)
5. Overall objective of the Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to assess and document challenges and gaps on the implementation of the Free Education Policy in Public and Community Schools in Zambia.
6. Specific tasks for the Consultant
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of ZOCS M&E team and will be required to:
6.1. Determine the number of out of school children being enrolled into Public and Community schools
6.2. Assess the pressure caused by the Free Education Policy on the facilities that support teaching and learning in Public and Community Schools namely:
6.2.1. learning space.
6.2.2. furniture (especially desks).
6.2.3. teaching and learning materials (TLMs) and equipment.
6.2.4. learner/teacher ratios.
6.3. Assess and document the challenges faced by teachers as a result of the Free Education Policy; and
6.4. Assess and document involvement of community members in general and parents in particular in the education process after the introduction of the Free Education Policy;
6.5. Interrogate and document the perception of free education in communities
6.6. Determine how much funding has gone to Public and Community Schools from government following the introduction of the Free Education Policy
7. Research Methods
An Inception Report will be developed and submitted to ZOCS before commencement of the study. The Inception Report will highlight the methods to be utilised in order to facilitate the effective collection of data under each objective. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods will be employed. Quantitative data will be collected through structured interviews and other data collection tools that will be developed by the Consultant. Qualitative methods will include Focus Group Discussions and in-depth Interviews. The consultant will also review secondary data to inform the development of research questions. Scientific methods of sampling will be applied to ensure validity of results.
8. Timelines
The table below shows the actions that have to be undertaken to facilitate the commencement of the first study.
Action / Due Date / Responsible Office
Prepare and Sign MoU
8th July, 2022
ZOCS/Consultant
Inception Report
15th July, 2022
Consultant
9. Duration of the Assignment
The assignment is expected to take twenty-eight (28) working days from the date of signing the contract.
9.1. Contractual arrangements and supervision
The consultant will be hired under ZOCS terms of contract and supervised by the Monitoring and Evaluation team solely for delivering the above outputs, within the agreed period. ZOCS as the client shall provide necessary support to the consultant in order to execute the assignment during the duration of the consultancy. These shall include:
• Access to relevant project documents necessary for execution of the duties under this contract
• Contact details of relevant people to be interviewed.
9.2. Remuneration
The Consultant must send a financial proposal based on their professional rate on daily basis. The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive of all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, per diem (meals, transportation, and accommodation), communication costs and any other applicable costs to be incurred by the Consultant in executing the assignment.
10. Deliverables
The Consultant will be expected to submit the following to ZOCS:
1. A full methodology of the study;
2. Tools for use in data collection;
3. An Inception Report;
4. Initial Research Report and Power Point Presentation) for a feedback workshop by stakeholders;
5. Final Report after feedback from stakeholders; and
6. A Policy Brief for submission to government
The Consultant will be expected to have a meeting with the ZOCS to discuss the plan for the study.

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
To be considered for the Consultancy, email your application letter, resume, including evidence of previous consultancy works done, to the address below by Friday 1st July 2022 at 17:00 hours.
The Executive Director,
Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS),
P.O. Box 50429, Lusaka. Phone: +260 211 253841/43
Email: zocs2008@gmail.com
Zambia Open Community Schools is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply.

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