Terms of Reference For Formative research on barriers and enablers of gender equality education in Nepal 1 Background Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. Plan International Nepal s Country Strategy focuses on a robust gender transformative approach and a strong emphasis on inclusion for Children with Disability (CWD) and other marginalised groups including Dalits. Elimination of child, early and forced marriage is an overarching goal and all Program Objectives will contribute to it. Plan International Nepal will work on five Strategic Programs: i) Thrive: Girls and boys grow up healthy from the start in an environment providing equal opportunities as parents socialize them in a gender equal and inclusive manner; ii) Learn: Girls and Boys learn in Gender-Transformative and Disability- Inclusive Educational Institutions that deliver quality education in developmental and humanitarian settings; iii) Act: the agency of children, especially that of adolescent girls is increased through asset building, enhanced access to SRHR services and growth in self-confidence and enhanced capacity to engage in decision making processes; iv) Protect: Girls experience reduced levels of gender-based violence, discriminatory social norms and practices and grow up safely in communities free of child marriage, child trafficking and child labour. The fifth area is transversal: to strengthen community resilience through gender transformative and disability inclusive disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and WASH promotion. Plan International Nepal recognizes that as a highly disaster prone country there is a significant risk that these objectives could be affected by a range of potential disasters. The country strategy second focus: Learn has set four outcomes i.e. i) strengthened gender transformative and inclusive education facilities and systems for all children especially for girls, children with disabilities and Dalit children; ii) improved Early Learning (EL) and reading comprehension of all children especially girls, Dalits and children with disabilities (early graders, i.e. pre-primary to G3); iii) all girls and boys complete quality basic education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes in secondary & tertiary Ed.; and iv) stronger inclusive and gender-sensitive education governance at school and village / municipal level. 2 Purpose of the assignment The purpose of the assignment is to identify barriers and enablers for girls, children with disabilities and Dalit children in access to and completion of basic and secondary education and participate in curricular activities in schools. It is expected that the research will generate evidence that help in Plan International Nepal s advocacy work and design programme interventions for gender transformative and inclusive education including gender transformative facilities, system and curriculum. The research is expected to answer the following key questions. What are underlying factors of low enrolment of girls, children with disabilities and Dalit children in basic and secondary level education? What are underlying factors of low learning achievement, high drop out and low completion rate of girls, children with disabilities and Dalit children in basic and secondary level education? What are underlying factors of low participation of girls, children with disabilities and Dalit children in different curricular and extra-curricular activities in basic and secondary level education? Does it differ in different grades, different socio-cultural settings, and different educational and occupational background of parents?
3a Scope of work The study will review similar research conducted recently in south Asian to identify research variables including contributing factors in gender transformative and inclusive education for further assessment. The research participants will include girls, boys, children with disability, Dalit children of age of basic and secondary education, their parents, government and CSOs working in education sectors, inclusive education and gender of four clusters (Eastern Terai Sunsari/Morang, Central hill Sindhuli and Makwanpur, Western hill Jumla and Western Terai Banke and Bardia). 3b. Methodology The consultant is encouraged to present a better methodology in consultation with Plan International Nepal not limiting to the following: Literature review: It is recommended to review of government policies, laws and regulations and recent similar research in south Asia. Focus group discussion (FGD): It is recommended to conduct focus group discussions with students (girls, boys, children with disabilities, Dalit children separately), organizations specialized in gender and inclusion issues, parents, teachers, School Management Committees (SMCs), parent teacher associations (PTAs), caregivers and community people, etc. Key informant interviews (KII): It is recommended to conduct KII with officials from relevant government line agencies, school headmasters, civil society organizations, and partner organizations. The consultant should also interview with focal person of the DOE, District Education Officer, and Coordinator of District Assessment Center and care takers. In-depth Interview (ID): It is recommended to conduct in-depth interview with school and out of school children. Representative sample size of each strata of children should be calculated based on proven method. Further, the schools should be selected randomly within the study area however the sample size will be finalized upon discussion with Plan International Nepal team. The field staff from the field office/program unit office will support the consultant in field data collection. 4. Outputs/Deliverables The following deliverables are expected from the consultant: a) Inception Report The consultant shall submit an inception report after signing of the agreement detailing on the research methods, tools and work plan. The ethical approval should be taken by the consultant from authentic institution. Further it should include following as well; Develop research proposal (brief concept) includes problem statement, research questions, conceptual frame of the research; Develop final research proposal which includes Introduction, literature review and methodology including sample districts/communities/schools) Prepare schedule for field work b) Presentation of the key findings to the Plan International Nepal team. c) Draft report d) Final report The consultant shall submit a final report in both hard copies and electronic copies along with all survey data (in Excel or SPSS compatible formats), transcripts of the FGDs, KIIs, photographs and ethical approval etc.
5. Timeframe and Estimated working days The assignment is estimated to be undertaken within 40 days beginning from April and to be completed by June 2018. Task/Deliverable Deadline Estimated No. of work days Develop research proposal (brief concept) 1 April 2018 NA Inception Report 7 April 2018 2 days Literature, desk review, tools / questionnaire design etc. 30 April 2018 5 days Prepare schedule for field work and checklist/guidelines 5 May 2018 2 days Field work 30 May 2018 15 days Prepare draft report 15 June 2018 5 days Consultation, feedback collection, refine report, incorporating 20 June 2018 4 days in the report Submission of final draft 22 June 2018 NA Sharing it to external relevant stakeholders AIN EWG, gov. 25 June 2018 1 day counterpart for receiving final inputs Submission of the final research report to Plan International 27 June 2018 2 days Nepal (include feedback / inputs) Dissemination of the research key findings to inform policy makers, planners and implementers by organizing 3 hours national seminar 29 June 2018 1 day 6. Qualifications and experience of the consultant Consultant is required to have proven competency on carrying out educational research, documentation of the good practices and having better access to government policy makers, different networks of education, and proven experiences of influencing capacity through evidence advocacy and media mobilization. For the case of NGO, must have academic research personnel to lead the research work. Their past experience of research and documentation of good practice, and better advocacy through evidence based facts findings will add value to perform the assignment. i. Team Leader having a minimum of Master Degree in the development or education field from any reputed academic institution. Having PhD qualification in relevant areas will be much better. ii. Extensive experience and knowledge in national education policies, practices and available government structure and educational priorities. iii. Knowledgeable of tools and methods used in educational assessments and evaluations. iv. 10 years experience in carrying out studies/evaluation/research of the development projects particularly focusing towards education related interventions. v. Capability to bring out children and gender inclusive issues and perspective in the study. vi. Experience with including children in studies and promotion of their active participation. vii. Language skills: Proven proficiency in English. Professional level of written English. Nepali speaking. 7. Ethical and Child Protection Statements Child protection is a term used to describe the responsibilities and activities undertaken to prevent or to stop children being abused or ill-treated. It is Plan International s duty and responsibility to reduce the risks of abuse to the children who we have contact with and keep them safe from harm. Plan International s Child Protection Policy, Say Yes to keeping children safe, is Plan International s overriding framework to protect children who come into contact with Plan International s employees, volunteers, partner organisations and individuals, including consultants, who are working on behalf of Plan. Consultancy firm or partner NGO or individual consultant should include statements in the proposal on how he or she will ensure ethics and child protection in during the commencement of the assignment and during the field works. Consultant/s should also specify other ethical protocols to be followed during the due course of the assessment and program design. Consultants are expected to take consent of the respondents before
taking interview, conduction of focus group discussion and taking photographs and ask if their photographs, verbatim or case stories could be used in report and for public dissemination. Such consent must be documented and submitted to Plan International Nepal along with the final report including ethical approval. 8. Submission of Proposals The Offeror shall prepare both the Technical and Financial Proposal. Also include the electronic copy of Technical Proposal (in word version) in a CD inside the technical proposal envelop. In the cover letter of proposal the offeror must have to mention How did they know about this Request for Proposal either through website or other means. 1. Sealing and marking of proposals The Offeror shall seal the Proposal in one outer and two inner envelopes, as detailed below. (a) The outer envelope shall be: Plan International Nepal Country Office Maitri Marga, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal and, marked as : Proposal for Formative research on barriers and enablers of gender equality education in Nepal (b) The 2 inner envelopes shall indicate the name and address of the Offeror and should be clearly marked with Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal. In summary, there will be one separate sealed envelope for the Technical Proposal and one separate sealed envelope for the Financial Proposal. (c) The length of proposal should not be more than 20 pages (font size 12, Arial, single space) excluding annex and references. If the pages increase, the score will be decreased by 2 marks from each additional pages. Note: If an offeror submits the financial proposal (budget) within or in the same envelop as the technical proposal, it will be automatically disqualified. 2. Deadline for submission of proposals Proposals must be received by Plan International Nepal at the address specified under clause Sealing and marking of Proposals no later than 04:30 PM on Monday, 28 March, 2018. 9. Supervision The Head of Education and MER Manager will coordinate and supervise the overall process on behalf of Plan International with support from the Deputy Country Director for Programs. Technical inputs will be provided by the Gender Specialist of Country Office. 10. Cost and Payment Consultancy firm or partner NGO or individual consultant should submit the total budget in the proposal with detail breakdown including applicable government taxes. Fifty percent amount will be paid after signing of the agreement and remaining fifty percent amount will be paid after submission of final research report. 11. Intended Users The intended users of this assignment is Plan International Nepal. The outcomes will be utilized by Plan International to inform its future early childhood program implementation. The information generated from assessment will be utilised for program design for internally within Plan International and with other development agencies, civil societies and Municipalities.
12. Selection Criteria for hiring a consultant Description of Items Qualifications and experiences 1. Does the consulting firm/individual have past experience in conducting research mainly education and social sector having with mixed methods research? 2. Does the consulting firm/individual have past experience in conducting research and evaluation relevant to the assignment? Weighted % 20% 10% 3. Does the team leader have relevant academic qualification? 15% Methodology 1. Is the study methods proposed realistic and relevant to the objectives of assignment? 10% 2. Is the sampling method proposed well explained? 10% 3. Does research proposal include tools, checklist, leading questions by respondents and objectives? 4. Is data analysis methods, data management and security mechanism well explained? 5% 10% 5. Proposed research report structure / content including different sections from the beginning to end? 15% 6. Is proposed field plan (timeline) realistic? 5% Total Score 100% Note: The length of proposal should not be more than 20 pages (font size 12, Arial, single space) excluding annex and references. If the pages increase, the score will be decreased by 2 marks from each additional pages.
Consultancy Validity Check List: Applied For:.. Name of Company/Firm: Bid Submission Date:. S.No. Required document Yes/No 1. Scope of work 2. Methodology 3. Outputs/deliverables 4. Timeframe and Estimated working days 5. Qualification and experience of the consultant/team 6. Ethical and child protection statements 7. Proposal signed and stamped separate sealed envelope for the Technical Proposal and separate sealed 8. envelope for the Financial Proposal 9. Firm/ company registration with renewal is attached 10. Registration with income Tax office [VAT] is attached 11. Tax Clarence for latest FY 2072/073 is attached Note: Document received without having mentioned above documents will be considered as disqualified. Furthermore, individual bidding consultant must be VAT registered and must submit registration document. Consultant without VAT registered/tax Exempted organization will not be entertained.