Consultant for Policy Brief on Tsangaya Education in Northern Nigeria

1. INTRODUCTION

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.

In Nigeria, ‘Almajiri’ is the term used for children from poor homes who are sent to Islamic boarding schools called ‘Tsangaya’, where they are taught Islamic principles, values, jurisprudence and theology, rather than literacy and numeracy, and are often required by teachers to beg for food and money on the streets. Many Almajiri are isolated from their parents from an early age and brought into a new environment without provision of basic needs such as food, shelter, toilets, or health facilities.

1. PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The exact number of Almajiri children in Nigeria is unclear, A 2022 report by the UNICEF estimated that there are about 12 million Almajiri children in Nigeria, while International Rescue Committee (IRC) in its 2022 report, estimated that there are around 13 million Almajiri children in the country with the majority being from the northern part of the country[1]. Conflict experts have warned that having vulnerable children in cities across a nation fighting an ideological war is incredibly risky and that one reason Boko Haram remains strong is due to the robust recruitment source provided by the Tsangaya system. Over the past several centuries, Tsangaya education has co-existed alongside formal education, though it has never been subsumed into the formal education system and is not regulated nor supported by the government or local communities- thus leaving Almajiri unprepared and unqualified for the labour market as young adults. The consultant will conduct research at the states level and develop a comprehensive Policy Brief on gaps and challenges in the Tsangaya education system in collaboration with the Tsangaya owners association/Ministry of Religious Affairs and communities. S/he will present the findings to 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 Tsangaya Education in Northern Nigeria, providing recommendations for improvement and integration with formal education and skills development 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.

1. SCOPE OF WORK:

1. Conduct a literature review on Tsangaya reformation in education, including its history, current state, and challenges in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

2. Engage with stakeholders (government officials, Tsangaya teachers, parents, and experts) through interviews, surveys, or focus groups in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

3. Analyze data and identify key issues, opportunities, and best practices in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

4. Develop a clear, concise Policy Brief (max. 10 pages) with actionable recommendations in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

5. Present the Policy Brief to relevant stakeholders in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

6. Conduct a one-day Review and validation workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

7. Conduct a one-day Policy dissemination workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States

1. SCOPE OF WORK:

1. Conduct a literature review on Tsangaya reformation in education, including its history, current state, and challenges in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

2. Engage with stakeholders (government officials, Tsangaya teachers, parents, and experts) through interviews, surveys, or focus groups in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

3. Analyze data and identify key issues, opportunities, and best practices in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

4. Develop a clear, concise Policy Brief (max. 10 pages) with actionable recommendations in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

5. Present the Policy Brief to relevant stakeholders in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

6. Conduct a one-day Review and validation workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

7. Conduct a one-day Policy dissemination workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States

SCOPE OF WORK:

1. Conduct a literature review on Tsangaya reformation in education, including its history, current state, and challenges in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

2. Engage with stakeholders (government officials, Tsangaya teachers, parents, and experts) through interviews, surveys, or focus groups in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

3. Analyze data and identify key issues, opportunities, and best practices in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

4. Develop a clear, concise Policy Brief (max. 10 pages) with actionable recommendations in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

5. Present the Policy Brief to relevant stakeholders in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

6. Conduct a one-day Review and validation workshop in Adamawa and Sokoto States.

7. 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 Tsangaya System of Education in 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:

1. 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 offense involving bribery or corruption.
2. Are under sanction, for an offense 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: Tsangaya Education Policy Brief II