Zimbabwe: INSTITUTIONAL CONTRACT FOR THE SUMMATIVE EVALUATION OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT FUND (EDF) IN ZIMBABWE

The UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office is seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) from qualified institutions to enter into a contract to undertake a summative evaluation of the Education Development Fund (EDF) which was implemented between 2012 and 2015.

The purpose is to evaluate the extent to which the EDF contributed to meeting the Zimbabwe education sector goals, document lessons learned from programme implementation, and propose recommendations for future policy and programmatic interventions.

The EDF was designed to achieve planned results by investing substantially on systems development and strengthening government capacity at the central, provincial and district levels. Strong emphasis was placed on policy, data systems and strategic frameworks that provide support to sustained sector development. To date, the programme has funded interventions in the amount of over USD100 million.

Scope of the Assignment:** As implementation of the EDF draws to a close, an institution is required to evaluate the effect of the EDF on the Zimbawean education system and the extent to which intended results were achieved.

Specific objectives are to:

i. Assess the programme design (including theory of change), coordination, management and administrative structures;

ii. Assess the effect of EDF interventions on the revitalization of the education sector and the extent to which they have contributed to the system “achieving universal and equitable access to quality educational services for all Zimbabwean children”;

iii. Examine performance of the EDF against outcome and impact indicators;

iv. Examine whether, and how, financial resources were utilised in ways that ensured best value for money;

v. Identify and document innovations and critical lessons that can be learned from the implementation of the EDF and their policy and programmatic implications;

vi. Assess the effect of contextual and organisational factors on implementation progress and programme effectiveness;

vii. Assess the effect of EDF on capacity of the education system at national, provincial, district and school levels; and,

viii. Assess, as far as possible, whether the various components and pillars of the programme have been implemented in a cost efficient way to deliver value for money.

Qualifications: The assignment requires a highly motivated and competent contractor with the following qualifications and qualities:

· At least 15 years’ experience in education research, five of which should be in international developing country context;

· A team leader with at least a Master’s Degree in education, the social sciences, or research and demonstrated expertise in programme evaluation;

· Strong track record in evaluating complex national level education programmes in developing country contexts;

· Proven experience in the use of participatory, qualitative and quantitative assessment/analytic methodologies;

· Proven technical competence in quantitative and qualitative data analysis;

· Strong knowledge of the Zimbabwean education system;

· Expertise in budgeting and budget analysis especially as it relates to assessing Value for Money;

· Fluency in English and the major Zimbabwean languages (Shona and Ndebele); and,

· Proven track record of producing excellent analytic reports.

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 than12:00 noon Harare local time on Monday, 18 January 2016. EOI should contain the following reference:

“Institutional contractor to evaluatethe EDF in Zimba*bwe.”*

Emailed responses should be addressed to nsafure@unicef.org.

Mailed responses can be sent to:

The Supply Section

UNICEF Harare Office

Fairbridge Avenue

P.O. Box 1250

Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe