ThaiNGO

Background

 The QUEST project aims to ensure that conflict affected children in Karen areas of South East Myanmar have access to quality basic and non-formal education and that communities support children’s learning. The project contributes to the goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goal 4 Targets.

It is a three year project (2017 to 2019) generously funded by Save the Children Hong Kong. The QUEST project is implemented in partnership with the Karen Teacher’s Work Group (KTWG) and particularly their amazing cadre of Mobile Teacher Trainers. The project targets over 7,000 children enrolled in over 300 community schools operating in Karen areas of South East Myanmar. 

Project Goal:  The project’s goal is to ensure that conflict affected children in Southeast Myanmar (Karen area) have access to quality basic and non-formal education (NFE) and communities support children’s learning.

The key strategies aimed to improve learning in Karen areas of South East Myanmar include:

1. Rigorous assessment of a representative sample of children’s learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy in Sgaw Karen;
2. Support for Teachers in community schools – this includes both provision for teacher stipends and comprehensive teacher training that targets literacy, numeracy, and Social Emotional Learning;
3. Community Action - Parent Education Sessions – recognizing that parents are the first teachers and that even illiterate parents have the ability to immensely impact their children’s learning and wellbeing. Peer Learning – particularly as it relates to helping primary age students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Youth activities include reading circles, reading clubs, reading festivals and other innovative initiatives to inspire life-long learning.
4. Children’s Books – increasing the availability of quality, age appropriate children’s books in local languages;
5. Flexible Non-Formal Education – the project aims to pilot at least one intervention targeting over-age students whose education was interrupted by the on-going conflict.

Purpose and scope of this consultancy:

The objectives of this consultancy include:

• Conduct at least four (4) trip monitoring visits in Myanmar where KTWG operates in the QUEST project
• Produce the monitoring report with clear recommendations from each field visit by reporting toward each monitoring objective
• Together with the SCI Thailand QUEST and MEAL team, plan and design the monitoring visit and tools in line with the monitoring objectives

Approach and methods

The consultant is required to:

• Conduct consultations with project beneficiaries and stakeholders including students, children and teachers to measure changes in or effects of the project activities on their knowledge and practices.
• Conduct classroom observations and home visits
• Observe book distribution and other key project activities as agreed in the monitoring objectives

Timeframe

The consultant(s) will be given the required task by Save the Children for duration of the QUEST project within 3 years from 2017-2019. It is expected that at least four (4) monitoring visits will occur over the course of the project (each assignment will range from 2 – 6 weeks), subject to the logistic arrangements and the scope of each visit is to be agreed between the project, its partner and the consultant(s).

 Management

The consultant(s) will report to the QUEST Project Coordinator with technical support from the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) focal person and Education Specialist.

 Consultancy Fee

The consultant(s) is asked to propose their daily rates. The financial competitiveness of the fee will be considered in the selection process. Costs involved in the monitoring, such as materials and travel, will be covered by Save the Children.

 Qualifications

• Fluency in English and Karen languages
• Competency in Burmese and other ethnic languages is an asset
• Experience and expertise in M&E and conducting consultations with children and community members in conflict-affected areas in Myanmar
• Proven experience with qualitative research methods
• Ability and willingness to travel in rural areas in South Eastern Myanmar

 Submissions for the consultancy

The submission must address the terms of reference and include:

• The resume of the candidate
• A cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest and suitability
• A proposed fees in THB

Closing date for submissions:  8 October 2017