Guwahati : Lessons of school reform agenda using student assessments show that assessment can be a driver of quality learning. Every year millions of teachers are being trained, varied teaching learning materials are being developed, budgets are allocated for new and existing educational programming. The outcomes of these interventions would have been enormous if it had linked to evidences like assessment surveys. Now, there is an urgent need to focus on assessing the learning outcomes and analyzing the learning data which would help in identifying the learning gaps objectively and for providing necessary remedial measures. For achieving quality education and successful teaching, high quality assessment needs to be integrated with the process of teaching learning. Apart from learning assessment data and its effective use in planning and implementation of education reforms, Education Management Information System (EMIS) plays an important role in policy formulation, developing plans and budgets and in monitoring targets.
Merely gathering data and information does not support in effective action to address the underlying factors that resulted in poor outcomes. Data have the potential to be transformed into information and actionable knowledge to strengthen and support policy decisions, teacher support mechanism and pedagogical practices. There is a need of effective use of learning assessment data for teacher professional development, curriculum reviews, pedagogical practices and development of learning resource material. Thus emphasis has to be given on developing a culture of usage of assessment data and a robust feedback mechanism. Data can be used in policy, planning, budgeting and pedagogical intervention, monitoring the progress of learning; and improve the access to information for the various end users to improve learning.
Government of Assam has taken an initiative to improve and strengthen its EMIS and learning assessment data for its effective use in planning, programme implementation and monitoring. The analysis of UDSE data is critical for understanding equity patterns to determine groups of disadvantaged persons to enhance planning process and policy implementation. As part of this focus, it is important to strengthen and monitor closely to provide regular feedback to programming strategies in general and in differential programming. Such support would help state governments and institutes in deliberations for sectoral annual planning.
UNICEF in the current Rolling Work Plan (2018 -19 ) has agreed with Government of Assam to strengthen learning assessment system and EMIS. Technical assistance would be required to take forward these activities and this consultancy is to support strengthening learning assessment and EMIS system with capacity building widely of educational functionaries working at various level and support to Education section in data related issues.
PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT:
Strengthening learning assessment and EMIS system leads to better planning , monitoring and reforming education system. Regular review and capacity building of functionaries is required at state level on analysis of the data generated and effective dissemination of such analysis for policy intervention. Consultant would provide technical support to Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan ( SmSA) and State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Assam to strengthen learning assessment and EMIS data, analysis of data, provide support in capacity building of educational functionaries, technical support in data visualization and will also provide support to sector in data related work.
DUTY STATION: Guwahati
SUPERVISOR: Education Specialist
MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
– Provide technical support to SmSA and SCERT, Assam in strengthening learning assessment and EMIS data system
– Provide technical support to Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and technical agency in data visualization related activity
– Undertake regular field visits in focused intervention districts for strengthening district level planning and monitor and review effective use of data.
– Analyze U-DISE data on the critical educational indicators related to RTE compliance at state level
– Analyze learning assessment data and prepare state, district and block level reports on the critical areas of assessment
– Build capacity of education officials, teacher educators and EMIS staff on use of data to support planning and effective decision making
– Analyze of secondary data sources such as Census, NSSO, NCERT, ASER and reports released by MHRD and other organizations and update State education fact sheet
– Provide data support to Education sector in preparing various documents, proposals, donor reports etc.
END PRODUCT (E.G. FINAL REPORT, ARTICLE, DOCUMENT)
Deliverable 1 – Delivery Date – 31 October 2018 – 3 days travel involved
– Report on support to SmSA and SCERT on review of learning assessment data and generating reports for various indicators.
– District wise profiles /fact sheet on RTE compliance for six districts.
– Report on equity based analysis of data for use in planning and education programming.
Deliverable 2 – Delivery Date – 30 November 2018 – 4 days travel involved
– Analysis of NAS and GUNOTSAV data and generating reports on various indicators
– Activity report on support provided for data analysis related activities
– Report on status of key educational indicators based on U-DISE data
– Develop education fact sheet for the state and presentation on key educational indicators
– Analyze gender parity in various indicators by state and prepare presentation
Deliverable 3 – Delivery Date – 31 December 2018 – 3 days travel involved
– Activity report on data supported to sector
– Activity report on support provided for EMIS related activities
– Presentation on outcome indicators including trend and equity
OFFICIAL TRAVEL INVOLVED (ITINERARY AND DURATION) : Approx. 3-4 days a month
QUALIFICATIONS OR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Master’s Degree in the field of Social Sciences / Education/ Computer Science
At least five years’ experience in working with government counterparts especially in field of education/assessment/monitoring.
Experience of strengthening learning assessment and EMIS at national and state level
Demonstrated presentation and facilitation skills and understanding of analytical tools/softwares
Strong understanding of issues of education in planning and monitoring.
Good English writing and presentation skills.
Harmonious working relationships and ability to manage complex multi-partner work groups.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
1) Qualified candidates are requested to please indicate their ability and availability to undertake the terms of reference above.
Your application should be sent to guwahati.consultants@unicef.org by COB 31 August 2018 with subject line “Consultancy support for strengthening learning assessment and EMIS system in Assam – (ASM-2018-Education-2018-05)” in separate files consisting of:
An Application letter
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
P11 form
A financial proposal in PDF format indicating deliverable-based all-inclusive professional fee as per template attached. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file name while saving.
2) The selection will be on the basis of technical evaluation & financial offer in the ratio of 70:30.
Educational Qualifications (10)
Relevant Experience (10)
Experience in Bilateral/International/UN agencies (10)
Written Test (20)
Interview- Technical and competency (20)
Minimum overall qualifying score should be 49 out of the 70 in technical evaluation based on which the financials will be evaluated.
(3) Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
(4) Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
(5) Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
Last date for submission of proposal : 31st August 2018
DURATION OF CONSULTANCY: 20 September to 31 December
For any clarifications, please contact:
Supply and Procurement Focal Point
UNICEF
27, Basisthapur By Lane 3, Beltola Road,
Guwahati 781 028, Assam, India
Telephone # +91 361 223 515 1 / 223 515 3
Fax # +91 361 223 516 1;
Email: guwahati.consultants@unicef.org
