Background
Through funding from Comic Relief, Literacy Boost
is Save the Children’s evidence-based approach to strengthen the five core
skills of reading (alphabetic knowledge/phonics, phonemic awareness,
vocabulary, fluency and comprehension) and supports children’s reading practice
both inside and outside school walls. It uses three components – rigorous
assessment, teacher training focused on the five core skills, and community
action – to identify reading gaps and demonstrably improve children’s reading
skills. Save the Children will implement this project in partnership with
UMUHUZA, a national non-Government organization.
is Save the Children’s evidence-based approach to strengthen the five core
skills of reading (alphabetic knowledge/phonics, phonemic awareness,
vocabulary, fluency and comprehension) and supports children’s reading practice
both inside and outside school walls. It uses three components – rigorous
assessment, teacher training focused on the five core skills, and community
action – to identify reading gaps and demonstrably improve children’s reading
skills. Save the Children will implement this project in partnership with
UMUHUZA, a national non-Government organization.
Consultancy Objective
The general objective of the study is to review
current culture of reading, including an assessment of the enabling environment,
community practices and perceptions around reading. The Literacy Boost project
is beginning its implementation and this baseline study will complement
baseline research being conducted through a Randomized Controlled Trial. The
Consultancy will specifically provide baseline values and information for key
identified program indicators regarding the community action component of the
project as well as assist in answering learning questions. This baseline will
provide key information, which will be the basis for monitoring and evaluation
and eventually contribute to measuring the performance and impact of the
project after 5 years.
current culture of reading, including an assessment of the enabling environment,
community practices and perceptions around reading. The Literacy Boost project
is beginning its implementation and this baseline study will complement
baseline research being conducted through a Randomized Controlled Trial. The
Consultancy will specifically provide baseline values and information for key
identified program indicators regarding the community action component of the
project as well as assist in answering learning questions. This baseline will
provide key information, which will be the basis for monitoring and evaluation
and eventually contribute to measuring the performance and impact of the
project after 5 years.
Specifically, the study will require the Consultant
to address the following:
to address the following:
1. Provide baseline values and document findings
for the following indicators:
for the following indicators:
• % of communities providing reading
opportunities outside Literacy Boost planned activities
opportunities outside Literacy Boost planned activities
• Children’s
perceptions of reading outside of the school
perceptions of reading outside of the school
2. Document attitudes and perceptions of key
stakeholders relating to the project’s intervention, including community
members’ beliefs about reading.
stakeholders relating to the project’s intervention, including community
members’ beliefs about reading.
3. Provide findings related to the following
learning question:
learning question:
• What are the practices around reading and
literacy in Gicumbi?
literacy in Gicumbi?
Do they change according to gender, age group, time,
access to information and resources? Scope of Services
access to information and resources? Scope of Services
The baseline will be conducted in 9 sectors of
Gicumbi (2 cells in each sector).
Gicumbi (2 cells in each sector).
The consultant shall ensure the completion of the
following activities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
consultancy contract:
following activities in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
consultancy contract:
• Desk Review: Review key project documents and
relevant national strategies and guidelines;
relevant national strategies and guidelines;
• Inception Report: Develop an inception report to
be approved by Save the Children before commencing any activity detailing the
report outline, evaluation framework, sampling strategy, data analysis,
methods, team composition, detailed costs and timeline for carrying out the
consultancy;
be approved by Save the Children before commencing any activity detailing the
report outline, evaluation framework, sampling strategy, data analysis,
methods, team composition, detailed costs and timeline for carrying out the
consultancy;
• Baseline
Tools Development and testing Develop data collection tools in collaboration
with Save the Children and test them;
Tools Development and testing Develop data collection tools in collaboration
with Save the Children and test them;
• Data Collection, validation, entry and Analysis;
• Presentation of draft report: Present the study
findings in English to Save the Children and partners;
findings in English to Save the Children and partners;
• Final Report: Finalization and submission of the
final baseline report for this component of the project.
final baseline report for this component of the project.
Methodology
The baseline study will employ a mixed quantitative
and qualitative methodology by engaging local communities and stakeholders,
including interaction with various partners and beneficiaries.
and qualitative methodology by engaging local communities and stakeholders,
including interaction with various partners and beneficiaries.
The techniques will be detailed by the Consultant
in the inception report, but will include, among others:
in the inception report, but will include, among others:
• Interviews with local authorities
• Surveys of scored criteria (covering enjoyment,
confidence, etc)
confidence, etc)
• Focus group discussions with beneficiaries
Duration of role
The consultancy shall take a maximum of 35 calendar
days and the final report shall be submitted before end of 31st January 2013.
days and the final report shall be submitted before end of 31st January 2013.
How to apply:
Key selection criteria
• University
degree (Masters preferred) in Development Studies, Social Sciences. Preferably in
Education
degree (Masters preferred) in Development Studies, Social Sciences. Preferably in
Education
• Proven experience in similar assignments and in
using community participatory research/evaluation methodologies required.
using community participatory research/evaluation methodologies required.
• Proven experience in conducting program
evaluation within reputable INGO’s
evaluation within reputable INGO’s
• Proven ability to write good research documents
• Strong analytical skills
• Proven knowledge of data analysis software, e.g.
SPSS, NVivo
SPSS, NVivo
• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda
• Knowledge of Save the Children and its internal
processes will be beneficial but is not essential
processes will be beneficial but is not essential
• Experience within the East Africa Region, with
specific focus in Rwanda
specific focus in Rwanda
Application specifications
Candidates interested in the position will be
expected to provide the following documentation:
expected to provide the following documentation:
• Detailed response to the ToR, with specific focus
addressing the scope of work, timeline, methodology to be used and key
selection criteria
addressing the scope of work, timeline, methodology to be used and key
selection criteria
• Initial work plan based on methodology outlined,
and availability of applicant
and availability of applicant
• Company
profile or CV including a minimum of 3 references
profile or CV including a minimum of 3 references
• Sample of evaluation report produced by
Consultant / Company
Consultant / Company
• Detailed
budget breakdown based on expected daily rates and initial work plan
budget breakdown based on expected daily rates and initial work plan
To register interest in this consultancy, please
send your applications to: HR-Rwanda@savethechildren.org
send your applications to: HR-Rwanda@savethechildren.org
Closing
date: 29 Nov 2013
date: 29 Nov 2013
