Call for Consultant to develop a Policy Brief on Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan in Northern Nigeria

Plan International strives to advance children’s rights and equality for girls all over the world. As an independent development and humanitarian organization, we work alongside children, young people, our supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge. For over 80 years, we have been building powerful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 75 countries.

PLAN International is implementing the EU-funded intervention “Strengthening Civil Society to Enhance Education for All in Northern Nigeria”. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen local civil Society Organizations as actors of good governance and empower them to contribute to inclusive, participatory, and open education policy dialogue in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the project aim to promote local CSOs, youth, women, and disability grassroots organizations to participate in, advocate for, and monitor the implementation of Tsangaya (Almajiri system of education) reformation and gender-responsive and inclusive education planning to support positive change in Nigeria.

Though they are entitled to access to a basic education under the Federal Government of Nigeria’s UBE Programme, girls in Nigeria continue to face a distinctive set of barriers to formal education at all levels, with the UBE Commission admitting that there is a significant gender gap in UBE delivery. Although Nigeria passed the Child Rights Act in 2004, prohibiting marriage under the age of 18, 12 northern states, including Adamawa and Sokoto, are yet to implement the Act, and in reality, Nigeria is home to over 20 million child brides, 3 in 10 young girls and women are married in childhood, and according to Nigeria child marriage profile about 11.5million girls are married before the age of 15. In northern states in particular, attacks on schools and the abduction of female students by Boko Haram have become increasingly prevalent, leaving parents uncomfortable with and fearful of sending their daughters to school.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

In addition to abduction, girls face other forms of gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, rape, and exploitation- all of which also increase the risk of teenage pregnancy. In November 2021, the Federal Government of Nigeria passed a revised National Policy on Gender in Education, designed to incorporate emerging and cross-cutting issues and increase girls’ participation in education through cash transfer programs, compacts with men and communities, as well as other initiatives. Though the policy has now been passed, ensuring that it is implemented, reported on, and monitored in each state is likely to be a challenge. The consultant will conduct research at the state level and develop a comprehensive Policy Brief on gaps and challenges in the Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan in collaboration with the Education Line Ministries and Departments, and religious and traditional leaders in Sokoto and Adamawa. S/he will present the findings to Education stakeholders for validation and adoption. The consultant is also expected to conduct a one-day dissemination of the policy brief in Adamawa and Sokoto.

KEY EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

To Develop a comprehensive Policy Brief on the Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan in Northern Nigeria, providing recommendations for improvement in Sokoto and Adamawa.

1. Inception report (2 pages) outlining the approach and methodology.

2. Draft Policy Brief for review and feedback.

3. Final Policy Brief.

4. Presentation slides for stakeholder engagement.

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Conduct a literature review on the Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan, including its history, current state, and challenges.
• Engage with stakeholders (Education Ministries and Departments, government officials, traditional and religious leaders, parents, and experts) through interviews, surveys, or focus groups.
• Analyze data and identify key issues, opportunities, and best practices.
• Develop a clear, concise Policy Brief (max. 10 pages) with actionable recommendations.
• Present the Policy Brief to relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct a one-day Review and validation workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States.
• Conduct a one-day Policy dissemination workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States

QUALIFICATION/REQUIREMENTS

• The Individual must have proven experience in Policy Development, Research, and Analysis.
• The Individual must have a Strong understanding of the Gender Responsive Education Sector Plan and the Northern Nigerian context.
• The Individual must have good interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• The Individual must display excellent English, report writing, editing, and effective oral and written communication skills.
• The Individual must have the ability to work in an international and multicultural environment.
• The Individual must display sensitivity towards different cultures, local customs, religious beliefs and practices, personal interaction and gender roles, disability age, and ethnicity.
• The Individual must possess strong quantitative analysis skills with attention to detail.
• The Individual must have the ability to bring together diverse Stakeholders.
• The Individual must be domiciled in Nigeria.
• The Individual must not have any competing interests or affiliations with Plan International Nigeria, including involvement in alternative operations.

Values of Plan International Nigeria

• You confirm you are familiar with and committed to the following values of Plan International Nigeria:
• We strive for lasting impact – We strive to achieve a significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, focused, and innovative.
• We work well together – We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities, and our partners.
• We are inclusive and empowering – We respect all people, appreciate differences, and challenge inequality in our programs and our workplace. We support children, girls, and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
• We are open and accountable – We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest, and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others while doing what we say we will do.

Ethics and Child Protection

• Plan International Nigeria places a high premium on CHILD PROTECTION issues in all its working relationships with its partners and associates and mandates all its working partners and associates to adhere to its CHILD PROTECTION Policy.
• As such, the activity must ensure appropriate, safe, non-discriminatory participation; a process of free and un-coerced consent and withdrawal; and confidentiality and anonymity of participants. Consultants are required to provide a statement within their proposal on how they will ensure ethics and child protection in the development process. This must also include consideration of any risks related to the activity and how these will be mitigated.

Disclosure of Information/Child Protection

• It is understood and agreed that the Consultant(s) shall, during and after the effective period of the contract, treat as confidential and not divulge, unless authorized in writing by Plan, any information obtained in the course of the performance of the Contract. Informationwill be made available for the consultants on a need-to-know basis. Any necessary field visits must be budgeted for in your proposal. Plan staff under the coordination of the National Program Manager will support the consultant in facilitating all necessary engagements required by the Consultant. The selected consultant will commit to respecting Plan International’s Child Protection Policy to prevent any harm to participating children and youth.

Anti-Corruption

• The Consultant and partners declare and guarantee that no offer, gift payment, consideration, or benefit of any kind, which constitutes an illegal or corrupt practice, has been or will be made to anyone by the Consultant either directly or indirectly, as an inducement or reward for the award or execution of this agreement.
• The Firm declares and guarantees that neither they nor Partners or associates, temporary nor permanent, would be involved in the implementation of this agreement:
• Have been convicted during three (3) years before the submission of their proposals for this project, by a court of law in Nigeria or any other jurisdiction for an offence involving bribery or corruption.
• Are under sanction, for an offence involving bribery or corruption, imposed by a government, a governmental organization, or a development organization providing development assistance.

Anti-Terrorism

• The Firm or Partners declare and guarantee that the funds provided by Plan International Nigeria for the service shall not be knowingly used to benefit terrorist groups as defined in the criminal code of Nigeria or individual members of those groups or for terrorist activities either directly or indirectly.

Whistle Blower Policy

• Plan International Nigeria has a Code of Conduct including a Whistle Blower Policy (attached) and encourages its entire staff and associates to “whistle blow” (raise legitimate concerns about violation of the Code of Conduct without fear of recrimination in the course of their engagement with Plan International Nigeria).

Further information regarding this Consultancy including all relevant annexes can be assessed via this link- Policy Brief on Gender Responsive Education Sector