National Consultant to carry out A Study on Transparency and Accountability in the 9YBE Program

P.O. Box. 6252 Kigali, Rwanda

Tel: +250 (0)2 55111235 / 0788309583

Toll free: 2641 (to report cases of corruption),

E-mail: info@transparencyrwanda.org

Website: www.transparencyrwanda.org.

Terms of Reference for National Consultant to carry out A Study on Transparency and Accountability in the 9YBE Program

Background

Within the context of the global agenda of achieving Education for All, education is the main pillar of Rwanda's national strategy for sustainable development. Since 2003, universal basic education is a major priority. The introduction in 2009 of the Nine Year Basic Education Program (9YBE) now offers six years of primary and three years of secondary education to all Rwandan children free of charge.

To ensure the transparent and accountable management of the capitation grant, independent monitoring is essential. All the service users need to become more aware of existing risks of corruption in the education sector to contribute to improved access to, equity in and quality of primary education through more effective use of resources.

Transparency Rwanda (TR), as a non-governmental and non-profit organization whose mission is to fight against corruption and to promote good governance, seeks to raise public awareness about the damaging impact of corrupt practices and to promote a constructive dialogue on anti-corruption measures.

It is within this framework that Transparency Rwanda, with the financial support of Results for Development through their Transparency and Accountability Program (TAP), is seeking a highly dynamic professional, capable of operating effectively in a very demanding fast-paced environment, to serve as a National Consultant to lead a PETS (Public Expenditure Tracking Survey) in the framework of a project entitled "Transparency and Accountability in the management of resources allocated to the nine year basic education program in Rwanda:

Objectives

Overall objective

The overall objective of the project is to increase transparency and accountability in the management of resources allocated to the 9YBE program in Rwanda. The first phase, covering the first year of this 3-year project, will use PETS as a diagnostic survey seeking to ascertain concrete facts on the location and quantity of bureaucratic capture, leakage of funds and problems in the deployment of in-kind resources such as textbooks.

Specific objectives '

More specifically, this projects aims at achieving both short- and long-term objectives. Short-term objectives include:

• To collect evidence based data on the allocation and utilization of the 9YBE capitation grant
• To formulate policy recommendations for more effective use of the capitation grant
• CSOs and media arc knowledgeable on the capitation grant and are better able to monitor it.

The project's long-term objectives include the following:

• To develop a monitoring tool in relation to'9YBE
• To increase community participation in monitoring the use of the capitation grant
• To contribute to the reduction of the wastage/leakage of funds associated with the disbursement of the capitation grant
• To enhance compliance with the guidelines on the utilization of the capitation grant.

Scope of the study

The PETS will use a mix of tools, including desk research, quantitative and qualitative tools.

The quantitative survey will target the whole country, using a multistage sampling with 4 strata (Province, District, school and respondents). Consequently, four samples will be drawn from 4 different study populations pertaining to the 9YBE program in the whole country namely schools, students, teachers and head teachers.

Tasks of the consultant

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Secretariat of Transparency Rwanda and particularly in close cooperation with research department.

His/her main tasks will include:

• Lead all elements of the study, including desk research, quantitative and qualitative survey;
• Refine the research methodology elaborated by TR if needed;
• Develop a questionnaire in Kinyarwanda and English to collect quantitative data;
• Organize and lead a workshop to validate the questionnaire and the survey methodology;
• Train the field enumerators;
• Carry out a pilot survey;
• Monitor the data collection carried out by enumerators, team leaders and supervisors;
• Design the questions to be asked in the interviews and focus group discussions;
• Produce a comprehensive report of the study in English;
• Organize and lead a workshop to validate the findings of the research
• Contribute to the presentation of findings to various potential stakeholders, including a high-level public launching event.

Qualifications and requirements

• Masters holder in Social Sciences or Finance with at least 5 years of relevant experience. Please note that given the nature of the research, joint proposals presented by a social scientist and a finance expert are strongly encouraged.
• Proven experience both in qualitative and quantitative approach
• Experience in data analysis
• Experience of working with civil society organizations
• Experience in dealing with national and international public institutions, particularly those working in the field of governance and education
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in English, French and Kinyarwanda, including excellent drafting skills in English (samples of previous publications will be requested at a later stage)
• Strong organizational and planning skills, and commitment to scrupulously match deadlines
• Experience in leading trainings and workshops
• Knowledge of corruption issues and experience in the fight against corruption are an asset

Note that Transparency Rwanda is an equal opportunity employer and women and marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. Also note that the candidate's integrity is strictly compulsory.

Timeframe and schedule

The consultancy is expected to be implemented within a maximum of 3 months from 15 August to 15 November

2011.

Tender process

Application letter and detailed CV as well as the names of at least two referees, quoting "Application for TAP Consultant; should be addressed to Transparency Rwanda; Attn. Mrs. the Chairperson of the Board of TR, P.O.Box 6252 Kigali; and deposited at Transparency Rwanda's office located at Kimironko, no later than 12 August 2011 at 4 pm. For any other information please call 0788309563. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and the selected candidate shall prove his/her availability to begin the consultancy.

Done at Kigali, 25th July 2011

Apollinaire MUPIGANYI

Executive Secretary