Education Technical Specialist

KEY INFORMATION

Job Title:

Education Technical Specialist (ETS)

Position/ Contract Type:

Long Term Consultancy

Duration of Initial Contract:

12 months, up to 160 days

Position Location:

Jordan

Language Required:

Arabic and English

Application Deadline:

31 July 2024

1. THE MIDDLE EAST FIELD SUPPORT SERVICES PROJECT

Launched in December 2021 and implemented by Cowater International, the Middle East Field Support Services Project (ME-FSSP) serves to support the international assistance humanitarian and development objectives of Canada’s Middle East Strategy by providing administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical services in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and the region.

The ME-FSSP also supports Canada’s regional development programmes through the provision of technical specialists in multi-sectors and thematic areas including, gender equality, governance and human rights, environmental sustainability and climate action.

2. BACKGROUND

In February 2016, the Government of Canada released a new and comprehensive whole-of-government strategy to respond to the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria and their destabilizing impacts on the middle east region, particularly in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. Canada’s ‘Middle East Strategy (2016-2025) includes budget provisions for both development assistance and humanitarian response. Specifically, the Strategy provides up-to CAD 270 million to support increased access to basic services, enhance skills for employment, promote green economic growth and strengthen governance, and up-to CAD 840 million in humanitarian support to meet the urgent basic needs of those most affected by the crises, including refugees.

Education is a cornerstone of Canada’s engagement in Jordan, representing nearly half of its bilateral development assistance over the past twenty years, plus additional support through multilateral and concessional financing sources. In-line with Canadian objectives under the Middle East Strategy (2016-2025), and Jordan’s own priorities as reflected in its national Education Sector Strategic Plan (2018-2025), Canada has provided over CAD 180 million in development assistance plus CAD 120 million in development financing, including $105 million as direct budgetary support to the Ministry of Education, to maintain and strengthen Jordan’s education system.

Jordan’s Education Strategic Plan 2018-2025 has 6 priority domains, of which 5 are currently being supported by Canada, specifically: access and equity; sector strengthening; quality and accountability; human resources; and vocational education.

3. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The objective of the consultancy is to provide high-level education sector strategic and technical expertise to the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Jordan Development Programme team in Amman, in-line with Canadian priorities and accountabilities for effective and result-based development programming and efficient use of international assistance resources.

The Jordan Development Programme’s current portfolio of education initiatives focus on : sector-wide MoE capacity building in education policy, strategy, planning and programming; decentralized education delivery and management; teacher professional development; vocational education strengthening and TVET sector development; and advancement of gender equality and integration of environmental sustainability/climate change mitigation, in operations and programming, at both project and sector-wide levels.

4.DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND DELIVERABLES

The Education technical specialist (TS) will be responsible for providing field-level advice and expertise on technical and policy matters that impact GAC’s education programming. The Education TS will primarily engage on the Jordan country bilateral programme but may also be required to provide support education sector expertise on other GAC-funded programming, such as those supported under GAC’s regional, multilateral, and multi-country branches. The TS would be involved across a range of tasks and responsibilities including, technical and advisory support on current projects, new project-development research, planning, design, regular and adhoc site visits and monitoring and evaluation exercises, strategic communications and liaison with MoE at working-level and senior-most levels, engagement and collaboration with education partners and donor community, and other sector-relevant work as requested by the Embassy.

At the direction of GAC, the Education TS may conduct the following activities:

a. Information, Research and Analysis

• Engage in analysis of education sector issues in Jordan and advise GAC on technical aspects in light of GAC policy and objectives, including but not limited to:
  • keeping abreast of the latest development trends in the sector and updating GAC on best practices and current thinking;
  • providing technical comments, analytical summaries, recommendations and/or briefings on documents (studies, project approval documents, terms of reference, proposals, meeting minutes, project progress reports, briefing notes for visitors, etc.);
  • monitoring evolving risks and developing and assessing mitigation strategies;
  • analyzing and assessing the activities and programs of the Government of Jordan (GoJ), other donors and international organizations working in the sector; and,
  • identifying/flagging areas and issues requiring GAC management attention.
• Prepare analyses, summaries, briefs and reports to facilitate timely GAC interventions in the education sector that are consistent with GoJ and other development partners policies.
• Identify and provide recommendations related to technical assistance needs of the GoJ.
• Examine issues related to monitoring and evaluating the performance of GoJ-led activities in the education sector in Jordan.
• Monitor and summarise key documentation related to the public financial management of the education sector, including but not limited to budgets, audits, analyses and capacity assessments.
• Monitor opportunities for synergies with GAC bilateral programs in other sectors and those supported through other channels (partnership and multilateral).
• Identify entry points and strengthen crosscutting issues such as gender equality, governance and environmental sustainability in GAC’s education programming.
• Monitor and advocate for consideration of gender equality, governance and environment issues in multi-stakeholder consultative and decision-making discussions.

b. External Support

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with government officials, development partners, civil society organizations (national, Canadian and international) and other stakeholders.
• Recommend policy positions through engagement with GoJ, donors, civil society and discussions with GAC.
• At the request of the Canadian Embassy, engage in technical level dialogue during bilateral and multilateral discussions with the GoJ and education stakeholders.
• At the request of the Canadian Embassy, support the Ministry of Education in developing technical assistance requests and projects.
• Attend meetings or events upon request and report back to the Education team at the Canadian Embassy.
• Interact and coordinate with local civil society organization partners, with regard to education issues and programs.
• Provide technical support during the preparation and implementation of sector reviews, multi-stakeholder monitoring initiatives, audits and evaluations.
• Ensure open and transparent communication, including timely reporting to stakeholders and team members.
• Participate in the ESP coordination bodies within the joint education sector dialogue structure, contributing substantively to discussions and to development or review of policy papers, strategies or program documents produced by partners, with a view to ensuring that GAC positions and requirements are reflected.
• Actively promote donor coordination and harmonization in all aspects of the program.
• Identify other donors with whom GAC could coordinate its resources to maximize the effect of GAC’s contributions.
• Participate in joint initiatives with other development partners.
• Support GAC’s role in the sector’s coordination platforms and working groups.

c. Program Development

• Provide technical advice for the development or review of GAC’s education program in Jordan.
• Provide GAC with policy and technical expertise towards the design of projects, program-based approaches, and technical assistance initiatives.
• Support the preparation of project approval documents.
• Provide technical comments on project proposals for the bilateral program and otherwise.

d. Program & Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Track results and report regularly on GAC’s investments in education.
• In coordination with the Canadian Embassy, liaise regularly with Implementing Agency (ies) to monitor project progress and report to GAC.
• When requested by GAC, carry-out field visits to the project to monitor and report on progress towards expected results.
• Analyze project or program risks and recommend risk mitigation strategies.

e. Others

• Contribute to the development and/or review of GAC macro-level strategies, sector strategies, action plans, policies, evaluations, performance measurement and monitoring frameworks, etc. with a view to promoting synergy across GAC’s programming areas of focus.
• Facilitate the integration of education issues into other areas of GAC programming.
• Support preparations for international visitors to the Canadian Embassy.
• Perform other duties and activities from time to time as requested.

5. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The provision of service requisitions to the Education TS, including the approval of the Education TS’s assigned work and deliverables.

The Education Technical Specialist:

The Education TS would be a senior-level expert with responsibility and requite experience to deliver the services described in section 2 and in accordance with agreed-upon timelines, expected results, performance indicators and deliverables established in an approved work plan, and any additional services as requested by the Technical Authority. The Education TS must work in close collaboration and communication with the GAC Jordan Development Programme team counterparts, and in coordination with GAC HQ’s programming teams and assigned HQ Specialists, as well as other consultants as necessary (including the experts on gender equality, governance, environment and infrastructure, RBM, other).

The Technical Authority (TA):

The TA, identified by GAC is responsible for:

• Communicating/disseminating key documents related to GAC policies, programming approaches and processes, regulatory or reporting requirements.
• Delivering initial and periodic information sessions and ‘updates’ on GAC’s policies, programming approaches and processes, regulatory or other reporting requirements for Education relevant programming.
• Periodic monitoring for ‘technical’ quality assurance purposes.

ME-FSSP team:

• Managing the competitive process of identifying and hiring the TS, including signing the contract.
• Communicating/disseminating key documents related to GAC policies, programming approaches and processes, regulatory or reporting requirements
• Delivering initial and periodic information sessions and ‘updates’ on GAC’s policies, programming approaches processes and, regulatory or other reporting requirements for education relevant programming.
• Review and approve payments based on the invoices and timesheets submitted by the TS.

6. REPORTING/ DELIVERABLES

The Consultant is expected to work in close cooperation with GAC in Jordan to produce the deliverables as follows:

• The TS reports directly to ME-FSSP (Project Manager) who has full responsibility for the administration of the contract, including the approval of timesheets and invoices. Technical assignments included the Tracking Table, Service Requisitions and deliverables, evaluation of the quality of services and deliverables against the Tracking Table, etc. are approved by GAC’s TA. Deliverables include, but are not limited to:
• Financial reporting which consists of a detailed monthly invoice, covering the TS’s fees for the services rendered during the previous month indicating the date, the day and the number of hours worked for each day as well as any necessary and reasonable expenses incurred during the previous month, including all original receipts in support of the expenses claimed.
• Research or analytical narrative reports, as requested by GAC.

General Deliverables/Outputs to be produced by the Technical Specialist:

Description of output

1.Work Plans

Detailed description of the components to be delivered by the Consultant:

Regular workplans based on needs identified by GAC and the Education TS’s recommended priorities. Work plans can be reviewed and updated, taking into account changing priorities in the GAC Development

Program and/orthe country context.

when : To be discussed with GAC Program Sector TeamLead

2. Back to Office Reports (BTORs)

Detailed description of the components to be delivered by the Consultant:

Detailed back-to-office reports for every field visit, including a full list of activities, and individuals/companies/institutions met.

When :As Required

3-Monthly progress report

Detailed description of the components to be delivered by the Consultant:

Progress reports will:

• Highlight tasks and results achieved; problems encountered and how they were dealt with;
• Identify keyissues for GAC’sattention, and make recommendations for follow-up;
• Provide a summary of work plan tasks completed, results achieved, and progress towards achieving results;
• Highlight relevant information of use to the GAC Development Program and projects, such as: outstanding issues and constraints, innovative initiatives, best

practices, and lessons learned.

When :As Required.

7. LOCATION, TIMELINES, AND ESTIMATED LEVEL OF EFFORTS

This contract will be valid for 12 months of the starting date. The TS should be located and ready to travel in Jordan.

The basis for payment and payment schedule will be based on a fixed-time rate contract.

The level of effort is estimated at up to 160 days depending on the needs and activities of the program. No activities/tasks should be undertaken without ME-FSSP prior approvals.

8. ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

• The TS will report to the Cowater/ FSSP PM in Amman.
• The contract will be signed between Cowater International/ME-FSSP and the selected candidate.
• Work will be performed out of the TS’s own office and the TS will be responsible for providing all required overhead, including maintaining internet access and an email account.
• The TS will be expected to use their own workspace, equipment, and materials (office space is not provided).
• The TS will be paid according to the agreed-upon daily rate based on the level of effort reflected in the monthly financial report and requisition forms. Activities and services rendered should be in line with the Tracking Table and requisition forms agreed and approved by the TA.

9. SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED BY ME-FSSP

ME-FSSP will provide the TS with the following documents:

• GAC’s policies and strategies relevant to country programs
• GAC’s programming documents [e.g. Strategic Environmental Assessment, Logic Model, Performance Evaluation Framework]

10. EDUCATION

Master or Doctorate-level degree in Education, Sociology, International Development Studies, or other relevant fields.

11. EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEGDE AND SKILLS

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience at senior level in managing education strategy and policy and/or programming;
• Experience in project/programme planning and design of large-scale education programming at national and sub-national levels;
• Experience of integrating/mainstreaming gender equality, institutional strengthening and governance, environmental sustainability and climate change action, in development programming;
• Experience in conducting education sector analysis. Direct experience with Jordan’s education sector an asset;
• Experience working with national governments; donor agencies; INGOs; academia and/or private sector.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of public education domains and issues, such as:
  • Basic education (KG-12), early childhood education, vocational education, access and equity, education quality, digitalization in education;
  • In-service professional development and teacher certification and licensing system;
  • Decentralized education delivery, systems strengthening at central, governate, field directorates, school, and community levels;
  • Education quality monitoring, accounting, supervision and mentoring;
  • Mainstreaming gender equality and inclusion in education;
  • Learning environment, safety and security, addressing social and emotional learning needs;
  • Programming for children with special needs, vulnerable and disadvantaged children;
  • Education financing, education equipment and technology planning, procurement planning and coordination;
  • Monitoring and evaluation.
• Knowledge of Canadian development policy (FIAP), and programming tools and processes is an asset.
• Knowledge of Canada’s Development Assistance programs in Jordan an asset.

Skills:

• Ability to research and synthesize up-to-date information and data from diverse sources and develop high-quality knowledge products, guidance and tools;
• Ability to work independently with little direction/supervision;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with team members, host government officials, international development community partners and other stakeholders.

12. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTs

Fluency in oral, reading, and writing in English and Arabic languages. French is an asset.

How to apply

APPLICATION PROCESS

For your application to be considered, please send all requested documents to [email protected], with “Education Technical Specialist” in the subject line latest by 31 July 2024.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by sending the following documents:

 A CV indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) with at least three (3) professional references.

 A brief statement as to why you consider yourself the most suitable for the assignment.

 A Financial Proposal specifying an all-inclusive daily rate in JOD.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidate(s) about the outcome or status of the selection process. Qualified women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Kindly note that received CVs might be added to the ME-FSSP database for experts for potential future assignments.

ABOUT US

With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is one of Canada’s global leaders in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial, and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec, Paris, France, Pretoria, South Africa, and London, United Kingdom, Nairobi, Kenya in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.