The UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office is seeking proposals from qualified consultancy firm (s) to conduct a national longitudinal study of survival of secondary level education among a cohort of students in Zimbabwe.
Background: Over the last few years, the primary to secondary transition rate in Zimbabwe has stagnated below 80 percent. While poverty is often cited as the major cause of dropping out, there are few, if any studies, which explain why some children end up dropping out of school while their peers with almost identical economic backgrounds transition to and complete secondary. Given that dropping out of school is often a process, and not an event, it is important to collect data and make comparisons over time. While both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies are observational in nature, the complex story of dropping out, with all the decisions involved can best be understood and told using a longitudinal study.
The proposed study aims to conduct a national longitudinal study of survival of secondary level education among a cohort of students in Zimbabwe. A longitudinal study will consider what happens after children drop out or transition to secondary school by tracking both the learners who drop out and those who transition to secondary. The study will help to improve understanding on the cohort transition rates and causes of dropout among secondary aged students in lower secondary, improve understanding of factors that help learners survive, and document the experiences/pathways of the cohort including those who drop out. By conducting several observations of the same subjects over a period of time, researchers will be able to detect developments or changes in the characteristics of the cohort at both the group and the individual level as well as establish sequences of events that lead to dropping out of school. It is within this context that a longitudinal study is proposed. The four year period proposed for this study is based on the need to capture the critical period of transition from primary to secondary and survival in lower secondary education, from Form 1 to Form 2. The time period also takes into consideration the length of the country programme, which runs until 2020. Should resources be available, the study will be extended for an additional 2 years to track the learners until they complete Form
Scope of the Assignment: The consultancy firm (s) are expected to conduct to conduct a national longitudinal study of survival of secondary level education among a cohort of students in Zimbabwe. This EOI seeks consultancy firm (s) interested in designing and conducting the study over a period of 4 years. The major tasks involved are the following:
- Literature Review: Undertake an extensive review of national and international literature on school survival, retention and completion, in order to identify key factors affecting retention and participation is expected as part of this process;
- Research Design: Develop an appropriate methodology to collect qualitative and quantitative data to effectively achieve the stated objectives. As part of this component, the consultant will design and validate data collection instruments as well as cross-sectional database with demographic and other information on the individual respondents as well as their contexts. The consultant should reference the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation in developing the research;
- Sample (cohort) selection: Propose a sampling method that will result in a sample that reflects the diversity of the Zimbabwean learner population. This method should conform to the Gender and Human Rights based research methods and take cognizance of factors that affect drop out including wealth, gender (boys and girls), disability status, geographic location, and contextual factors such as school type. To that end, the proposed approach should be stratified to ensure various categories of learners are included in the study, including those with disabilities;
- Data Collection and Analysis: The institution’s methodology will include a strategy and plan for collection of data to address the study objectives. The data collection plan should provide details including the frequency of data collection, models and methods to be used. The plan should include strategies for collecting data for monitoring reports on an annual basis (or other periodicity determine by the researchers) and an end of programme / end line data collection. In addition, a strategy setting out the approach to and types of analysis that will be done to achieve the objectives. The analytic strategy should also include analysis of secondary data.
- Student performance: Collect data on student performance and develop a relevant analytic model (as part of the analysis);
- Initiation of the participants: Participants should be informed of their participation and the duration, type of information that will be collected;
- Engaging with schools: Since the majority of the students will be in schools for multiple years, it is desirable that the researchers establish a strong relationship with the schools;
- Tracking of participants: Design a system that is used for tracking participants and document this system;
- Annual reports: Prepare annual reports based on analysis of the data for that year;
Final Report: The consultant is expected to develop a final analytic report with policy options based on the results of the study; and Final database and debriefing of participants.
Qualifications: This national longitudinal study is to be carried out by an institution. The company/ institution should be legally registered and the profile submitted to include legal status in Zimbabwe. Regional and International consulting firms to submit legal profile of their local partners. The number and profile of the national longitudinal study consulting team members should be such that the team size, experience, qualifications, mix and complementarity of expertise, availability and level of effort is convincing that the proposed work plan can be met. Interested consulting companies/ Institutions should have the following qualifications and skills within their team:
- The consulting team—which must have a designated Team Leader–with the following competencies:
Required:
- Be a researcher or specialist with at least 10 years’ experience in education research, 5 of which should be in international developing country context;
- Have at least a Master’s Degree in education, the social sciences, or research and demonstrated expertise in programme evaluation;
- Have technical expertise and proven experience in the use of participatory, qualitative and quantitative assessment/analytic methodologies;
- Strong track record in social science and education research; and
- Strong knowledge of the latest thinking in longitudinal studies and the UNICEF/ UNESCO Institute of Statistics methodology on Out of School initiatives.
- The team leader must ensure that the team has the following qualification and competencies
- Expertise and proven technical competence in quantitative and qualitative data analysis;
- Knowledge of statistical packages and experience with field work and data collection;
- Familiarity with the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation;
- Knowledge of of the Zimbabwean education system and the substantive social and economic issues;
- Current knowledge of key issues related to multidimensional child poverty and on measurement of child deprivation and poverty, and determinants of child well-being social policies;
- Superior analytical and writing skills, preferably demonstrated by the peer-reviewed journals; and
- Fluency in English and any of the major Zimbabwean languages (Shona and Ndebele).
How to apply:
Response requirements: At this stage, UNICEF is requesting Expression of Interest (EOI) from interested institutions. Institutions should submit detailed and complete institutional profile information, together with a written “Expression of Interest” by either email or mail no later than *12:00 noon Harare local time on Friday, 17 February 2017. EOI should contain the following reference: “Institutional contractor*** National Longitudinal Study on School Participation and Survival for Youth in Zimbabwe”
Emailed responses should be addressed to [email protected]
Mailed responses can be sent to:
The Supply Section
UNICEF Harare Office
Fairbridge Avenue
P.O. Box 1250Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe**
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