Special Education Experts

TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTANCY - SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS 1-       IECD and Foyer de la Providence Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement is a development assistance organization, which intervenes in 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the MENA region, the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. IECD has been operating in Lebanon since 1989. Today, IECD and its partners implement several Training and Professional Integration, Support to Small Enterprises and Access to Education and Health Care projects. 2-       Context IECD started in April 2014 the implementation of the EU-funded project “Better integrate Palestinian children and youth refugees with special needs in formal & non-formal education system”. This 3-year project is located in Beirut and Saïda areas, mainly inside the Palestinian camps. The work consists in: -          A capacity-building program for 15 educational institutions: kindergarten, UNRWA primary schools and vocational training centers. Through a comprehensive training plan, completed by a close follow-up and work with the parents, the project aims at helping the institutions to become more inclusive for children and youth with learning disabilities. -          The improvement of diagnosis & care for Palestine children and youth with learning disabilities through a precise mapping of the available services and the creation of a referral system. -          A strong awareness-raising component on learning disabilities and inclusive education targeting various levels of actors: medical/paramedical staff, parents, educational staff, community, general audience. In the framework of the work with the vocational training centers, IECD is looking for an expertise in special education in order to support the centers in the formalization of an inclusive approach towards students with learning difficulties. 3-       Objectives The objective of the consultancy is to support IECD’s 5 partner vocational training centers in their needs-assessment as well as in the formalization of a tailored-made inclusive approach towards students with learning difficulties. Objectives are: Improve the integration of students with LD in the formal and non-formal education system Reduce drop-out rates for the students enrolled in the VTCs Build a more integrative strategy in each of the partner centers   4-       Activities and calendar From January 2016 to May 2016 Identification of the needs and constraints Design of an inclusive education project fitting those needs and constraints Preparatory activities with the center’s team (admin + teachers): trainings of the team on LD, case studies, adaptations of curriculum, changes in the methods of teaching, in the structure of the center, organization of HR etc.) Identification of the needs in terms of equipment and purchase of the equipment/pedagogical materials From September 2016 to January 2017: Follow-up of the implementation of the inclusive education project Support from the experts for the best implementation of this project   5-       Expected results   Design a tailored-made inclusive education strategy based on each center’s needs and vision Implement the inclusive education project in each of the partner VTC The team in each of the centers knows how to handle LD (pedagogical adaptations, communication with the parents, communication with the companies, support towards employment)   6-       Expected deliverables The Consultant/Firm will submit the following as outputs:   -                Inception Report outlining the work/activities to be undertaken, including implementation plan and timelines. -                Report on the needs assessment -                Formalized inclusive approach for each of the centers, designed in coordination with centers’ staff. -                List of equipment and pedagogical equipment to support implementation of the inclusive approach -                Final Report on Consultancy which should show the methodology used, activities undertaken, successes, challenges, results (planned and unplanned), lessons identified and recommendations on how to address those lessons.   7-       Evaluation Criteria   Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of:   -          Cost effectiveness / price -          Implementation methodology -          Experience of consultant(s)   3 of the 5 centers are located inside the camps. Please note that consultant(s) must show willingness to enter the Palestinian camp, notably Aïn El Héloué in Saïda, possibly on their own.   All centers are located in Saïda area.   8-       Submission requirements Interested consultants should submit below mentioned documents by 5 pm on 13 January 2016. Proposal submissions are to include the following: -          Curriculum Vitae of consultant and for each member of the team (if a team approach is utilized) -          Technical proposal with the proposed approach and activities to be taken for the implementation and management of the consultancy -          Breakdown of costs with man days for each team members (if team approach is utilized).   9-       Calendar   Deadline for proposal submission 13January 2016 Selection of the consultant 14th January 2016 Scoping meeting with the project team asap First meetings with the vocational training centers Asap (February the latest) End of phase 1 (needs-assessment/design of an inclusive approach) May 2016 Phase 2 (support in the implementation of the approach) November – December 2016