DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY PAPER AND STRATEGIC OPTIONS BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE OUT OF SCHOOL STUDY

I. Background and justification

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has a population of nearly 70 million, increasing at 2.58% per year and spread over 2.34 million square kilometers. Seventy percent of the population lives in rural areas. 54% of the population is under 18 years of age. More than 13 million Congolese are less than five years of age. Life expectancy is strikingly low, averaging only 46 years in 2010. The price of conflict includes the lack of realization of the right to education for 7.6 million children and adolescents out of school, of which the majority are in conflict areas. After a decade of bloody conflict, the political situation remains precarious despite the establishment of institutions from the elections of 2006 and 2011. At the end of 2011, about 1.7 million people were still displaced and the conflict renewed in the eastern DRC from mid-2012, has further dampened the spirits of the population as their high expectations for peace were dissipated and coping mechanisms shaken. Further displacements and destruction were experienced including attacks and destruction of 258 schools in North Kivu. Insecurity is a primary development challenge in the DRC and a significant barrier to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including the right to universal primary education. Although the vast majority of the country is at peace, the humanitarian crisis continues to be a major concern in the North and South Kivu, Province Oriental, Maniema, Equateur, and the north of Katanga although major parts of these provinces enjoy relative peace.

Against this backdrop, social indicators in the DRC have lagged behind, as in many countries in a similar situation. None of the MDGs including 2 and 3 on education would have been achieved by 2015. In order to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the MDGs, the DRC in August 2010, the DRC declared Free Primary Education and developed a sub-sector strategy with an Interim Education Plan (2012-2015) to implement the policy. In this plan, the conduct of a national study on out of school children and the elaboration of a response plan were envisaged.

Hence, in November 2010 DRC launched the process of preparation for the national out of school study based on the conclusions of a global conceptual and methodological workshop for research on out of school children which was held in Istanbul in June 2010. The Global workshop was supported by UNICEF and UNESCO Institute of Statistics and gathered government and international development organizations from 26 countries. It sought to mobilize countries to accelerate progress towards achieving the EFA and the Millennium Development Goals by improving the knowledge base on equity in education through a multi-country research initiative in the countries with the largest number of out-of-school children, including the DRC.

The DRC has completed the study and is now progressing to the next phase of developing a policy paper and a strategic plan to implement the outcomes of the out of school study. It is in view of this need that a consultancy is been called for.

II. Objective of the consultancy The main objective of the consultancy is to:

Develop a policy paper and strategic options to guide policy dialogue and action planning on equity in education to accelerate universalization of primary education.

III. Methodology

The consultant will analyze the Out of School study reports and key official documents and other relevant studies to extract the evidence for the elaboration of the policy and plan. This will be done through a desk review, simulation exercises, costing of the proposed options and discussions with key partners and stakeholders to ensure buy in on the proposed policy and programmatic options.

The Consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Education personnel, namely the CAT, the Division of Planning and the experts from different departments who were involved in the Technical Committee of the study. Within UNICEF the consultant will consult the different programmes especially Child Protection, Social Policy & Social Protection, Communication for Development and Monitoring and Evaluation.

IV. Tasks

The following tasks will be implemented by the consultant:

a) Carry out a critical analysis of the documentary review and survey reports of the out of school study and any other relevant documents (see list below). b) Conduct of simulation exercises to enrich the analysis of the factors of exclusion in order to identify the most cost-effective options to be implemented to reduce the number of children and adolescents out of school. c) Hold working meetings with key education partners and stakeholders or their representatives and sister UNICEF programmes to understand their perspectives on key equity related issues that should be taken into account in the development of the policy paper and strategies. d) Draft the Policy paper and strategic options with action plan, including cost estimates for each option e) Present the policy paper and strategic options at a stakeholder workshop to be organized by UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. f) Review the draft policy paper and strategic options based on discussions held. g) Produce the report of the workshop.

V. List of Documents to Review a) Documentary Review Report of the DRC Out of School Study 2011) b) Final Report Out of School Children (2012) c) Interim Education Strategy d) Ministry of Education Programme Document (GPE Funded)

VI. Deliverables a) Policy paper b) Strategy Document with action plan including monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and estimated costs c) Workshop Report.

VII. Supervision The consultancy will be supervised by Cecilia Baldeh, Chief, Education, UNICEF Kinshasa

VIII. Skills and knowledge.

For the institution to be effectively evaluated and pre-qualified with their offers, the following requirements should be included in the proposal: - Profile of the institution which should include: - Structure of the institution - The number and type of employees - Description of systems quality control applied - Copy of ISO certification (if available). - Certificate of Incorporation / a Valid Certificate of registration of the company - The other licenses or permits issued by the competent governmental authority to operate as a business - At least three references from major clients / customers that the company has provided similar services -The institution must accept the terms and general conditions of UNICEF - Identify projects / services similar conducted - CVs of key personnel who will be involved in carrying out the tasks / services. These staff must have: • A university degree (minimum BAC 5) in Science Education in Economics of Education in Social / Political Science or equivalent field with analytical skills Statistics. • A professional with at least 8 years’ experience in education, social policy analysis and planning, including the exercise of simulations and strategic options costs; • Ability to communicate effectively and good relationships with people; • Completed a similar job in a developing post-conflict and / or country • Fluent in French and English

In addition, the institution will be asked to fill the UNICEF form on the Profile of the Service Provider UNICEF (attached).

XI. Selection Criteria

Technical Criteria Sub-Criteria Maximum Points Overall Response Completeness of responses Link between the call for proposals and the submission 5 5 Sub-Total 10 The Enterprise and key personnel --Depth and scope of experience on similar projects --Number of clients, size of projects, number of personnel per project --Client references --Key Personnel: Experience et qualifications 10

5 5 15 Sub-Total 35 Proposed Methodologies and Approches --Technologies used – compatibility with UNICEF --Approch of the assignment --Management of the project, its monitoring and quality assurance process --Innovativeness of Approch 5 10 5

5

Sub-Total 25 Total Technical Criteria 70 Fee Financial Proposition 30 Grand Total 100

VIII. Working Conditions

The consultants of the institution will be based in UNICEF but will hire their own transport to visit and discuss with various stakeholders within Kinshasa.

As the consultancy is an international one, the incumbent will be provided with airplane ticket from her/his country of residence to and from Kinshasa and the daily subsistence allowances will also be paid by UNICEF as per the rules.

The air ticket will be paid separately from the offer based on the location of the institution or its consultants who would do the work.

How to apply:

See terms and conditions in the request for quotation number LPRS-2013-9106396 dated 09 May 2013.