Consultancy on Value Based Education Action Research

Country: Kenya

Organization: Aga Khan Foundation

Closing date: 10 Jul 2023

Action Research Consultant

Terms of Reference

1. 
   About the Aga Khan Development Network
   

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a network of private, non-denominational development agencies that share a mission to improve the living conditions and opportunities for marginalised communities across 30 countries in Africa and Asia. Through innovative, community-driven solutions that span social, economic, and cultural dimensions, AKDN agencies aim to holistically improve quality of life.

AKDN’s education goal is to ensure all girls. boys, women, and men, are equipped with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to help them interact effectively with the world and be contributing members of a pluralistic society. AKDN assumes a holistic and systems approach to education programming ensuring all interventions are globally informed, locally rooted, are embedded in government and community interests and structures, and work to promote social inclusion, equity, and pluralism. AKDN invests in all sectors of the formal education systems, from pre-primary to tertiary, as well as in other formal and informal life-long learning opportunities, including teacher professional development. AKDN education agencies operating in East Africa are the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and its affiliate, the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme (MECP), Aga Khan University (AKU), Aga Khan Academies (AKA), and Aga Khan Education Services (AKES).

1. 
   About the Aga Khan Foundation
   

AKF seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill-health, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal, and other resource-poor areas. In East Africa, AKF responds to local and regional priorities by developing and implementing effective programming, measuring, and documenting results and sharing lessons with governments, donors, and development actors to influence policy and practice. AKF operates a multi-sectoral portfolio that includes programming in Education, Economic Inclusion, Civil Society, Health and Early Childhood Development. Gender Equality is a cross cutting theme in the portfolio. AKF will be the primary interlocutor for this assignment but engaging all AKDN education agencies in the process will be critical.

1. 
   About Values-Based Education
   

AKF’s Values-Based Education modules were developed in 2016in partnership with Dream a Dream, the Global Centre for Pluralism and the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa. The original set of modules were designed to be delivered as a two-day training for each of the three modules, totalling six days. Over the last two years, VBE has expanded from the Kenyan Coast to the West Nile region of Uganda. In 2023, AKF redesigned the modules to offer an immersive experience over three days for teachers and school leadership. As we roll out the new design, AKF is keen to understand what the impact of the immersive experience is.

1. 
   Purpose and Objectives of the Assessment
   

AKF aims to engage a Research Consultant that will:

• Undertake a comprehensive review of the VBE module guides and facilitator guides.


• Conduct research to understand the impact of the original design and the immersive experience on participants in both Kenya and Uganda


• Develop a report documenting and analysing the findings, recommendations , and actions towards course adaptations

1. 
   Key deliverables
   

The deliverables of this consultant will include the following:

1. 
   Research tools and methodology: document detailing the approach to the research


2. 
   Research report: final report detailing findings, analysis and recommendations across the two countries

6.Workplan

Activity Deadline

Inception Meeting 2023 July 20

Research Tools and Methodology 2023 July 25

Draft Report 2023 August 15

Final Report 2023 August 30

NB: The Timelines are indicative and can change.

1. 
   Qualifications
   

• Minimum 8 years of experience in research, including regionally

• Demonstrated experience working with teachers and school leadership in conducting research

• Familiarity with AKDN and/or the education sector would be desirable

8. Criteria for Selection

All submissions will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Technical proposal 40%


• Technical experience 30%


• Value for Money 30%

How to apply

1. 
   To Apply
   

Consultants interested in this opportunity with AKF should submit:

• A cover letter outlining relevant experience and suitability for this role (no more than 2 pages). Please include your proposed daily rate (including VAT/Withholding Tax) with justification based on past rates for similar work.


• At least one sample of relevant work


• A detailed CV with at least 3 traceable references.


• Copies of Business Registration certificate


• Work Plan

Applications should be submitted by midday EAT on 10th July 2023 to akfkenya.procurement@akdn.org

AKF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is Committed to Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Vulnerable Adults and Expects all Staff and Partners to Share this Commitment.