Consultant – Baseline Data Analysis & Report Writing- CPESG

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.

The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] is seeking high caliber professional Consultant/firm for the following Short-Term Consultancy to be based in Islamabad:

“Consultant – Baseline Data Analysis & Report Writing- CPESG”

Background of the project

The Aga Khan Foundation’s Creating Pathways for the Educational Success of Girls in Pakistan (CPESG) is a three year endeavor funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The project aims to improve the quality of life of girls and young women, empowering them to interact effectively with the complex challenges that they face in the 21st century and to play an active role in the sustainable development of society. CPESG will directly impact the lives of 10,500 girls from 150 school by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to live healthy, productive lives within their homes, schools and communities. It will tackle some of the key barriers that the girls face in accessing, staying in and achieving success in education. CPESG will have three interrelated outcomes to meet the overall impact of the project:

1.      Improved equitable access to quality educational opportunities for girls;

2.      Reduced social, cultural and economic barriers faced by girls in accessing, staying in and succeeding in education; and

3.      Improved quality of gender-responsive educational leadership and teaching and learning.

Background of the baseline study

The study aims to collect baseline data on a sample of CPESG intervention schools to establish a baseline for the project expected outcomes: a) learning outcomes (literacy and numeracy) and developing greater self-esteem, confidence and life skills; and b) transition, teaching quality, attitudes and perceptions, learning environment. By establishing a rigorous baseline, the impact of subsequent interventions will be determined to evaluate the program at mid and endline.

The specific objectives of the study are to:

·         Establish the number and proportion of girls’ learners achieving grade-level benchmarks/standards of the national curriculum (by grade, school level);

·         Establish the number and proportion of girls’ learners demonstrating improved knowledge and skills to make decisions about their educational opportunities and personal domains of well-being (by age);

• Identify number and proportion of out of school girls by grade and school levels;
• Assess the extent to which school leadership and management are able to provide gender responsive safe learning environment and instructional leadership in and out of the classroom for girls;
• Assess the extent to which schools providing quality and gender-responsiveness teaching and learning for girls.
• Assess the extent to which girls, boys, men, women and community leaders having knowledge about measures to reduce barriers for girls’ education and wellbeing.
• Assess the current level of government official engagement and pedagogical and administrative support to girls’ education.

Main duties and responsibilities

The study design follows a mixed method approach. Data has been collected from 96 government schools: of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. The baseline data of Gilgit-Baltistan will be analyzed, and a final high-quality report will be developed and submitted. Furthermore, the baseline values for the log frame indicators targets, for Results-based Framework of CPESG; will also be determined by end of the data analysis.

The Consultant will develop the analysis of the data, both qualitative and quantitative; produce a comprehensive, and well-articulated baseline report. The data is available in MS_Excel/MS Access, sheets gathered and entered using 12 tools. She/he will report to Programme Officer MERL Education and follow strict deadlines to complete study in time. The Consultant will have the following responsibilities:

·         Understand the Baseline inception plan which covers objectives, methodology, approach, sample and tools information;

·         Understand the theory of Change and Logframe of the project;

·         Understand baseline tools to better understand their relationship with the logframe;

·         Understand the sample size and sampling strategy for various respondent groups e.g children, fathers, mothers, teachers, and head teachers.

·         Prepare a meaningful data analysis plan and share with AKF (P) for review and feedback;

·         Based on the feedback from AKF (P), adjust the analysis plan;

·         Develop a report structure and share with AKF (P) for review, feedback and sign-off;

·         Based on the quantitative and qualitative data sets, analyze the baseline data through the lens of gender equality, and social norms.

·         Share a draft report with AKF (P) for feedback and review.

·         Finalize the report based on feedback.

Timeframe

The Consultant is expected to develop a report including analysis and all preliminary tasks, as given in the section above, within 8 weeks. This is an urgent assignment with strict deadlines and the incumbent is expected to adhere timelines as per the inception plan. 

AKF will provide the baseline data sheets of Gilgit-Baltistan and expects to receive first batch data analysis (by 10th June 2021. Similarly, first final draft report will be provided to AKF by the 31st June, 2021. After final comments from the AKF education team, followed by a discussion with the consultant the comments will be incorporated by the consultant and later he/she is to submit a final report to be completed by the end of 10th July 2021.  A final presentation will also be prepared by the consultant on the data analysis findings and recommendations will be made keeping in view the CPEG project workplan.

Experience and abilities

1. At least 6 to 8 years of experience in analyzing and developing evaluation reports; preferably evaluation reports on education themes.
2. Knowledge of and experience with gender equality and measuring gender sensitive programmes; especially in the context of education.
3. Strong computer skills including familiarity with database design, desktop reporting tools and information display tools.
4. Quantitative data analysis skills; statistical training desirable. Knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analyzing datasets (Excel, SPSS, SAS etc)
5. Experience with statistics, research methods, and computer-based reporting tools.
6. Proficiency in presenting and developing information, and the ability to articulate complex statistical issues.

Qualifications and skills

a.       Master’s degree in education, social sciences, or other relevant field, preferably with specialization in monitoring and evaluation.

b.      Good knowledge of research methods; analytical and research skills

c.       Commitment to the values of AKDN.

AKF(Pak) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. AKF(Pak) recruitment and selection policy and procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and the safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(P)’s Safeguarding policy.

Interested candidates/firms should forward their profiles and financial proposals by June 16, 2021.

Please note that only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted.