Consultancy service for GEQIP II Comprehensive midterm and Exit Evaluation

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia General Education Quality Improvement Project II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

FOR CONSULTANCY FIRMS

COUNTRY:                            Ethiopia

NAME OF PROJECT:                      General Education Quality Improvement Program Phase Two

                                                (GEQIP-II)

CONSULTING SERVICES:   Consultancy service for GEQIPII Comprehensive midterm and Exit Evaluation 

PROJECT ID NO.:                   P129828

CREDIT NO:                          5315 – ET

CONTRACT NO.:                  MOE/GEQIP-2/QCBS/C-46/13

Introduction

This invitation for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice (GPN) for the program that appeared in Development Business, issued no. WB3002-06/14 of June 6, 2014.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has received financing in the amount of USD550 million equivalents from the World Bank and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments under the Contract for selection of a consulting firm for Consultancy service for GEQIP II Comprehensive midterm and exit evaluation. This project will be jointly financed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UK Department of International Development (DFID), Italian DevelopmentCooperation, Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and US Agency for International Development (USAID).

1        Objective

1.1  The overall objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of GEQIP II to monitor its progress and results, and generate evidence of the project's results and impacts towards institutional strengthening and improving learning conditions.

1.2  The specific objectives of the evaluation are (i) to evaluate the extent to which the key inputs (GEQIP II-related) influence processes (teaching and learning in the classrooms)and lead to improved student outcomes (as measured by standardized test results and completion rates) as well as results indicators set outin the PAD; and (ii) to assess how key stakeholders view the relevance, effectiveness and impact of the sequencing and mix of key inputs, and to use this information, together with information derived from thefirst type of evaluation, to adjust the program over time.

2        Scope and major tasks of the consultancy

2.1  The comprehensive evaluation of the projectwill be conducted in two phases: mid-term review beginning in 2015 and exit survey in 2018. The evaluation will cover all aspects of GEQIPII, including (i) assessment of higher-level PDO indicators; (ii) progress toward GEQIP II PDO achievement through tracking of PDO indicators; (iii) progress of each components through tracking of outputs by components; and (iv) degree of integration of cross-cutting themes into GEQIP II implementation. The consultancy will be conducted from federallevel to regions level including colleges of teacher education, woredas, schools, which is expected to be representative of all the projecttargets.

2.2  The first evaluation in 2015 will be the basis of GEQIP II mid-term review and will provide guidance on necessaryadjustments to be made by the government and development partners forthe remaining GEQIP II implementation period. The second evaluation will be conducted in the final year of GEQIP II to inform the implementation and completion report. In addition to tracking the result indicators over the life of the project, the second evaluation will focus ondrawing lessons learnt.

2.3  Develop a framework for evaluating the project both for mid-term and exit and submit to the MoE for comments and approval. The consultant should (i) incorporate and emphasize the use of internationally recognized best practices for project evaluation; (ii) take into account a framework usedfor GEQIP I baseline and exit surveys. In addition, The consultant  must identify specific questions to assess the relevant change over time of selected program processes, intermediate and final outcome indicators;

•           Identify the key indicators– for inputs, processes/behaviors, outputs, outcomes, and impact.

•           Develop a framework and approach for measuring change in these key indicators over time.

•           Develop the appropriate survey instruments, including the new qualitative surveys related to behaviors, performance, and interactions of parents,teachers, and students, as referred to above. 

•           Construct and draw up the sample of schools and classrooms (and design the framework from which the extended sample will be drawn for midterm andfinal survey administrations.

2.4  Based on the approved framework for evaluation, conduct a mid-term evaluation of GEQIP II. The MoE will review and provide feedback on the report of the mid-term review. The MoE will provide written acceptance or rejection of the mid-term survey report.

2.5   Following the review and official clearance of themid-term evaluation report, and taking into account the comments, the consultant will undertake the exit evaluation of the project in 2018

3. DELIVERABLES

• Inception Report
• Mid-term evaluation/survey report; and exitevaluation report, disaggregated by component, category of implementing agencies, gender and locations.
• Survey results dissemination Workshop
• Activities related to mid-term evaluation
• Activities related to exit evaluation 
• Activities related to trainings and dissemination

The Ministry of Education now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services. The shortlisting criteria are:  Core business and years in business; qualifications in the field of the assignment, technical and managerial organization of the firm, and general qualifications and number of key staff.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by WorldBank Borrowers ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or asub consultancy to enhance their qualifications

A consultant will be selected inaccordance with the QCBS method set out in the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers January, 2011 Edition.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours. 8.30 to 11.30 AM and 2.00 to 5.00 PM from Monday to Friday.

The deadline for the receipt of Expression of Interestis January 08, 2015; 05:00 P:M. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below;

Ministry of Education

Procurement Service Head

Room No. 103 Old Building

P.O. Box: 1367

Tel:            +251-11-1565558 or 565530

Fax:          

     Addis Ababa, Ethiopia