POLICY CONSULTANT

Terms of Reference

Employment Category: Contractor; based on set deliverables.

Location: Home-based; on-site as needed

Reports to: Executive Director

Duration: April- May 2024

BACKGROUND

Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) and the Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) have formed a partnership for an advocacy campaign; EDUCATE HER: Promoting Gender Equity and Equality in Education. Under the auspices of this campaign, we will build a coalition that will advocate for the effective implementation of the policies that will advance Girls Education in Liberia. HOPE and PAYOWI are national-level, women-led organizations, with experience in advocacy, education, policy development, and gender mainstreaming.

The goal of the Educate HER project is to contribute to the effective implementation of the National Policy on Girls Education 2021 -2026, (NPGE), with a specific focus on the areas of the policy addressing the key barriers to girls’ attendance, retention, and completion (GARC) in secondary schools. The coalition focuses on increasing the commitment of policymakers and key stakeholders to create an enabling environment for implementing the NPGE and improving monitoring and accountability of county and national stakeholders.

We believe that we can strengthen civil society roles to cause both donors and the Government of Liberia to increase investment in girls’ education. We also believe that if we strengthen civil society roles and citizen participation at both local and national levels, and if we increase monitoring, capacity, and coordination among education stakeholders, then at the end of the project, education stakeholders will more effectively implement and monitor the NPGE.

The EducateHER-2 project seeks to improve the implementation and monitoring of the NPGE focusing the project pathways to change include:

1. Coalition building and policy engagement – partnership development and national advocacy for supportive systems and policies for girls’ education. 2. Research and policy review – policy analysis, power mapping, resource mapping, and online data management system that will measure performance and impact. 3. Public awareness and civic participation – print and audiovisual media, information sessions with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), working

sessions with local women and girls’ groups, meetings with traditional and religious leaders, platforms for citizens to engage local decision-makers.

SUMMARY OF SERVICE

HOPE, on behalf of the Educate HER Coalition, shall hire the consultant for the anticipated contract term from 15th April , 2024, to 31ST May 2024 (Consultant shall be paid based on actual days worked).

The aim of the consultancy is to develop a simplified version of the National Policy on Girls Education. The policy consultant will review and develop a simplified version of the NPGE that will be disseminated amongst policymakers, education stakeholders, service providers and active citizens. The document will contain:

1. A summary of the contextual framework of the policy
2. Mapping of key intersections across the relevant sectors
3. Strategic alignment to key national policies and initiatives
4. A diagram of the institutional framework and management of the policy and 5. A review on the financing of the policy

The consultant will closely coordinate with the Educate HER project and will connect for virtual (if feasible: in person) meetings with the Educate HER team, which will provide feedback and technical expertise.

Shortlisted candidates will be expected to submit a financial proposal complete with a clear understanding of the scope and objectives of terms of reference and a timeline with clear deliverables. A detailed work plan is expected to be submitted by the consultant upon the commencement of the consultancy.

COOPERATION AND REPORTING

The coordination and supervision of the assignment, as well as all matters of reporting and contract performance issues, will be the primary responsibility of the Project Manager of Educate HER. The focal person for this consultancy is the Executive Director of HOPE, to whom the deliverables are to be submitted in addition to the Educate HER team. The consultant will additionally report verbally or via email on progress and challenges in regular intervals during the assignment.

SPECIFICATION OF INPUTS

**There is no contractual right to use up the full days/travel or workshops or budgets. The number of days/travel/workshops and the budgets will be contractually agreed as maximum.

QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIAL SKILLS

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced university degree or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience in gender, education or other related fields which include research and policy and international development.

Professional Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in policy review and program development in the context of gender is required. Experience developing and implementing strategic, advocacy and communications resources for a diverse audience is desired. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as communications and drafting capabilities, especially the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly. The candidate should have familiarity with the Liberian education sector or with similar contexts in sub-Saharan Africa.

Professionalism

1. Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. 2. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources.
2. Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Communication

1. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication.
2. demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

1. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; 2. supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Consultant will be working from home base/remotely. If travel to meet with Educate HER or other stakeholders in Monrovia is planned, the cost for local travel must be included within the budget.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their CV and/or profile with cover letter to: Subject: POLICY CONSULTANT

Educate HER Liberia

c/o Helping Our people Excl (HOPE), Inc.

Tubman Boulevard/Sophie’s Junction, Congo Town Monrovia, Liberia

Or via email:

info@educateherlib.com/info@hopelib.org

DEADLINE TO APPLY is 10th April 2024