FEED THE CHILDREN.
Consultancy Engagement – Terms of Reference
Project: KAJIADO ECD PROJECT.
1.0. BACKGROUND
Feed The Children is an international non-profit relief organization that was founded in 1979 with headquarters in Oklahoma City, United States of America. In Kenya, Feed the Children (FEED) was registered in 1993 under the Non-Governmental Organization Coordination Board Act. FEED’s first program in the 1990s was the Dagoretti Children Centre (DCC) which assisted children who were physically challenged. In 2000, the organization opened the Abandoned Baby Centre (ABC) which rescued children who had been abandoned by their families. In 2004, the organization began implementing the School Feeding Program (now called School Meals Programs). The program was in partnership with WFP and Ministry of Education and was aimed at encouraging children to attend school, keep children in school and ensure they concentrate in class.
Consequently, the organisation’s programs have grown significantly in both sectors and geographical areas covered with more focus on development programs. It is for this reason that Feed the Children is deliberately standardizing implementation of programs globally in order to ensure the greatest impact is felt by the beneficiaries we serve. This was done through designing a development model that would ensure the pillars are integrated in each of the programs and areas we work in.
2.0 Overview of Kajiado ECD Project.
FEED has designed a 3 year’ project aimed at improving child readiness to learn as well as to transition to primary schools. This will be achieved through an integrated approach. Key interventions include Teachers training and mentorship, Material Development, Parents’ training to enhance participation, Provision of CSB (Con soy Blend Porridge flour) Mid-morning snack, Deworming and Vitamin A supplementation.
In addition, ECD Committee members will be trained on their roles in the management of ECDs. The larger community will also be mobilized through community conversations to address key contextual issues that affect the ECDE children. The training and support is to provide ongoing professional development that is tailored to individual teachers’ existing knowledge and varying needs. It also includes developing teachers’ mastery of pedagogical skills and course content, observing teachers’ delivery techniques, and providing ongoing and specific feedback.
3.0 The Purpose and Objectives of the consultancy
The Purpose of the consultancy is to undertake a survey aimed at assessing pre-unit children in forty three ECDs in the area where FEED works in the following areas:
- Classroom organization and management by the teacher based on the expected standards by MOE.
- Availability of appropriate for level learning materials in the target ECDs. Assess for deviation from the MOE standards.
- Language competencies in Children by assessing reading readiness through assessing visual discrimination, left-right, top to bottom orientation and print awareness for the completed level in ECD centers. Assess for current capacities in relation to the expected competencies for the completed level.
- Mathematics competencies for children in rote and rational counting and Number recognition, sequencing, value, writing, addition and subtraction. Assess for current capacities in relation to the expected competencies for the completed level.
- The use of music and movement in ECD to enhance learning. The use of science, religious education, life skills and creative arts in the classroom instruction of children in line with the syllabus. Assess if children are attaining the necessary competencies for their levels in those fields.
- Teacher’s capacity and current practice to teach within the scope of the syllabus and learning guidelines.
- Current assessment tools in use for children to determine progress and how aligned they are to the MOE-ECD assessment guidelines
- Parent’s involvement to support learning of their own Children through the ECD committees and other community avenues.
3.2 The scope of work
- In consultation with Feed the Children, the consultancy will perform the following tasks:
3.2.1 Assessment and review
- Critically assess the ECDS as guided by the objectives in section 3.0.
3.2.2 Design and develop the research design.
- Design a comprehensive research design for the survey with details of sampling plan, analysis plan and reporting procedures.
- Participate in the validation process of the draft report and thereafter incorporate agreed changes into the final draft. The validation will be subject to a panel of reviewers including FEED, TSC, MoEST and other key stakeholders.
3.2.3 Key deliverables
- Soft and hard copies of the baseline report in the FEED recommended format.
3.2.4 Process Deliverables
- Develop and submit at the consultancy Expression of interest with a budgetary plan, detailed Work plan that stipulates a breakdown of the work and the period for implementation.
4.0 Methodology
The consultant will use both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to assess the ECDs in regards to the objectives of the baseline survey. The finding will be useful both to inform the indicators for the project but also to determine the current situation in ECDs in the area of operation.
An appropriate sample size will be determined for the study using an appropriate sampling methodology that takes into account the differences in the individual schools while presenting the general situation in the 43 schools
Deliverables and schedule
- This task will take a period of 21 days. The agreed deliverables by the consultant in this consultancy and as shall be drafted in the contract include:
- Final 2 copies of the hard copy Baseline report.
- A soft copy of the baseline report.
- Data set in Excel version
Final delivery dates will be confirmed in consultation once the candidate has been selected.
Consultants’ required expertise and specifications
Technical area and Consultant Specifications
- Master in Education or a related field.
- At least 10 years’ experience in education research with some experience with ECD curriculum and rollout in Kenya.
- Experience in working in schools in nomadic contexts.
- Experience in authoring numeracy training materials/Books for Colleges or schools, guides, training manuals etc.
How to apply:
Interested and eligible candidates should submit a detailed expression of interest, financial proposal and a CV detailing relevant assignments and Cover letter including four referees to [email protected] copied [email protected].
ONLY applications clearly indicating the consultancy title in the subject line will be reviewed. This will be done on a rolling basis. Applications must be received on or before 28th February, 2017. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
FEED is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and police clearance checks.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
