Adyan calls for applications to recruit an Education Expert(s) to conduct contextual analysis of the educational system in Iraq

Consultancy Overview

Adyan Foundation requests applications from Education Experts to conduct a contextual analysis of the education system in Iraq, with a specific focus on education on inclusive citizenship. As well as a desk review and key informant interviews, the consultancy will involve a national survey of teachers and students on inclusive citizenship education.

This process will lay the groundwork for the contextualization (in later stages) of Adyan’s education initiatives, including the Alwan curriculum, to be suited to the unique context in Iraq.

The final output of this consultancy is to provide a comprehensive report that outlines:

1. An overview of the Iraqi national curriculum in regards to civic education, history and religion, with a focus on systems/ programs/ courses/ activities related to civic education on citizenship.
2. Highlights on differences – if any - that exist between the Iraqi regions and/or curriculums.
3. Initiatives that have been implemented by civil society organizations (CSOs), local schools and teachers that focus on diversity, citizenship and coexistence.
4. Stakeholder and power analysis related to the different roles and levels of influence within the educational system in Iraq: government/ministry, national authorities, local authorities, schools, religious authorities, CSOs, etc.
5. The added-value Adyan might bring due to its experience with the Alwan Program in Lebanon, and how it fits into the Iraqi context
6. The risks and opportunities that Adyan may face if the Alwan Program is implemented in Iraq, including issues related to security, religion and gender.
7. The priorities and the feasibility of steps to implement the Alwan Program in Iraq. These priorities and steps will feed Adyan’s strategy for its involvement in Iraq (currently being developed) from 2022 to 2024.

The assignment requires the preparation and completion of the following tasks:

1. Prepare and develop a roadmap (inception report) for the consultancy, in collaboration with Adyan’s Development and International Relations (DIR) unit and the project management
2. Conduct a full contextual analysis on the educational system in Iraq to identify threats and opportunities for Adyan’s involvement (including Adyan’s Alwan Program) in Iraq, and produce a comprehensive report about the current situation. A simple checklist will be provided, and the analysis will consist of four steps:
   1. Screening the overall context, involving identifying current problems, trends and risks in the context, and assessing the impact of those identified issues on development and human rights. This will include a desk review and key informant interviews.
   2. Conducting a nation-wide survey on teachers and students across Iraq regarding education on inclusive citizenship. The survey will be conducted by a contracted company (paid for separately by Adyan) according to guidelines provided by the Expert(s) on the targeted sample and the data to be collected.
   3. Analyzing the potential context’s impact on Adyan’s Alwan Program in Iraq, including assessing what actions could be taken to avoid negative impacts on the program results.
   4. Analyzing the potential impact of Adyan’s Alwan Program on the overall context, including how could negative impacts be managed, and what are the opportunities to maximize positive impacts.

The analysis must consider gender dynamics and other demographic/socio-economic factors.

3. Prepare and implement a half-day presentation and training workshop for Adyan’s team and its partners about the analysis’ methods and report’s findings.

The consultancy will consist of approximately 30 days of work spread over September – November 2021. It is possible for all work to be carried out remotely, using available technology.

Methodology

1. Data Collection:

The assessment should adopt a participatory approach with mixed methods to ensure a range of inputs. The data collection will likely consist of:

1. 1. Secondary data:

Desk review, including of relevant publications, reports produced by international or local institutions, media coverage, etc.

1. 2. Primary data:

Nation-wide survey (implemented by a contracted company) and key informant interviews/focus group discussions

2. First Output: Inception Report

A brief report that follows the initial meeting with the DIR Department and the project management. This report ensures mutual understanding of the Expert's methodology, work plan and timeline for conducting the assessment. It also provides additional guarantee of adherence to, and interpretation of, the consultancy contract.

3. Second Output: Survey Results Report

Full survey results (raw data) as well as brief analysis of key findings

4. Third output: Draft Comprehensive Report

A report that includes key findings from the desk review, interviews/focus group discussions and survey. The report will be written in English, to a professional standard. As needed, references to materials used during the consultancy and other external materials will be included as footnotes or as an appendix. The report’s draft must be shared with Adyan Team for review, and then the amended version will be used by the Consultant to prepare for the workshop with the Adyan Team.

5. Fourth Output: Presentation and Workshop

The Consultant will conduct a half-day workshop with Adyan staff and key partners to present the findings of the report. This will also give an opportunity for the Adyan/partner team to provide feedback on the draft report. In addition, the workshop should build the audience’s understanding of how to conduct contextual analysis, to allow for ongoing assessment of the education context in Iraq, and how this may affect project and strategic planning in the future. This workshop can be conducted remotely.

6. Fifth Output: Report finalization

The Expert(s) will make any necessary amendments based on the workshop to update the report. Adyan will make any necessary comments and send them back to the Expert(s). The latter will make final amendments and send back the final version of the report.

It is necessary to note that desk review materials, interviews/focus-group discussions, the survey and the presentation/training workshop will be in Arabic and/or English depending on the participants, while the reporting language – including the final report - will be in English.

Timeline

Tasks

Approximate Due Date

Meeting with Adyan to Finalize the Consultancy Overview and Sign Agreement

16 September 2021

First Output: Inception Report

23 September 2021

Desk Review

23 to 30 September 2021

Key Informant Interviews/Focus Group Discussions

1 to 15 October 2021

Nation-wide survey on teachers and students

1 to 29 October 2021

Second Output: Survey Results Report

4 November

Third Output: Draft Educational Analysis Report

15 November 2021

Fourth Output: Workshop – preparation and facilitation

Between 22 and 26 November 2021

Fifth Output: Final Education Analysis Report

3 December 2021

Budget

The allocated budget for this entire consultancy is between USD $14,000 and USD $16,000.

1. The budget does not include the implementation of the national survey. Adyan will directly cover the expenses of the company to undertake the survey.
2. No additional expenses other than this lump sum will be paid by Adyan.
3. Bank charges and due taxes are to be covered by the Expert(s), or deducted from the payment. If relevant, this will include the 7.5% taxes for non-resident consultants and any other taxes that are the Expert(s)’ responsibility.
4. If needed and outlined in the work plan, and agreed in the contract, Adyan can cover travel and accommodation expenses for the Expert(s).
5. The Expert(s) can have support from local/field assistants if needed, however their fees must also be included in the total budget presented in the application.