Accelerated Learning Programme Design Lead

Job Description

Programme background

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Sector Programme (KESP) Technical Assistance (TA) team’s mission is to work at provincial, sub-provincial and school levels to provide comprehensive, flexible and high-quality technical support to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) in the delivery of its strategy and priorities for transforming education service delivery. The TA constitutes a component of the wider DFID and DFAT-funded KESP programme, which also includes Sector Budget Support, and an infrastructure component.

Accelerated Learning Programme background

An increasing number of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in education are now operating in Pakistan. The state has repeatedly called upon the private sector to play its role in supplementing education service delivery in the public sector. KESP has recently supported the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Elementary and Secondary Education Department (E&SED) to develop a PPP Strategy. The strategy presents a detailed situation analysis and specific options for the provision of education services through PPPs. Implementation of an Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) is one of the preferred options, which will contribute towards achieving a targeted additional enrolment of approximately 78,000 Out-of-School Children (OOSC) by Financial Year (FY) 2020-21.

The PPP Strategy presents two modalities for the delivery of ALP services:

• Primary level ALP, which targets OOSC between the ages of 8-10 who have never been to school (69,812 targeted beneficiaries), and;
• Middle-level ALP, which targets OOSC between the ages of 13-14 who have completed primary graduation (8,577 targeted beneficiaries).

The E&SED has already approved the programme for the next three years to pilot ALPs and allocated PKR 297,637,200 for the year 2018-19.

The ALP will be delivered as a form of complementary education, reaching the same end-point as a formal education system, but in a shorter space of time. The ALP is ‘complementary’ in that it both provides an alternative route and matches the official curriculum. This allows ALP learners to either be mainstreamed into the regular education system or join professional/vocational courses.

Role Description

The consultant will work closely with E&SEF to assist the delivery of the ALP, as E&SEF require assistance to develop a detailed implementation plan for both modalities. The consultant is to develop and present the required profile and assessment parameters for the potential ALP providers/partners and make recommendations regarding contracting arrangements.

Specifically, the consultant is to develop:

• Delivery options/methodologies for both primary and middle ALPs in KP, along with the merits and demerits of each option (to be informed by ALP modalities from other provinces and actors);
• An implementation plan for the ALP (starting in FY2018-19). The delivery options are expected to include implementation mechanisms, financial implications, risk assessment, and appropriate mitigation strategies. The design will cover recommendations for sustaining the ALP and present longer-term solutions for its institutionalization;
• Financial/cost analysis to determine the optimal price point;
• Overall workplan with implementation timelines for each of the proposed delivery options;
• Quality assurance, monitoring, and a data management framework; and
• Assessment and ranking parameters for the proposed options for scale up.
• 10 years’ relevant experience in education;
• Significant knowledge and experience of inclusive and equitable education, education policy development and research;
• Strong strategy development track record, analytical ability, organisational, and communication skills;
• Ability to conduct social research; the experience of leading the development of analytical reports;
• Experience working with national and international development organizations and knowledge of public sector organisations. Public sector work experience would be preferable;
• Knowledge of the current legislative, regulatory and policy environment, including public procurement;
• Understanding of the dynamics of ALPs in Pakistan or in similar country contexts. Experience of accelerated learning modalities, their curriculum and pedagogies preferred;
• Masters degree in social or political sciences, preferably with specialization in education and related studies, and academic or professional training in social research methods; and,
• Ability to work independently against tight deadlines. Excellent written and oral skills in English.

(a) Desired Qualifications and Experience (b) Reporting

This position will report to the Delivery Lead and the Deputy Delivery Lead Equity and Access. The Technical Director should be kept informed of significant ALP developments.

Duration of Assignment

25 days spread over two calendar months, part-time, starting from the first week of May 2018.

Location

Peshawar, with travel.

About the Organization

Adam Smith International Limited (ASIL) has built upon the original ideas of Adam Smith as these apply to policy and practice in modern economic development and government reform. The practical policy reforms advanced by ASIL to promote the benefits of competition and individual liberty have been central to the social and economic success of many societies and their governments throughout the world. ASIL's philosophy stems from a group of core values, which we have applied to the problems of developing and transitional countries all over the world. These values focus on fostering: - Competitive markets - Honest government - Individual liberties ASIL's consulting and training divisions, informed by these values, have helped many governments to reduce poverty and improve the living standards of their people. ASIL's areas of advisory, consultancy and training work include: - Enterprise restructuring and corporate governance - Public administration and governance reform - Utility restructuring and regulation - Infrastructure privatisation policy and execution - Trade reform - Conflict resolution and negotiations support Our focus is on the provision of cutting edge economic and governance thinking underpinned by practical support for ministers, officials, managers and citizens at all levels. We work with governments, enterprises and aid agencies on a short or long term project basis, or through tailor-made training programmes.