Development of Minimum Standards and Checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools (LCPBS)

As part of the MOEST/UNICEF/DFID Modelling of Integrated Nomadic Education, Child Friendly Schools, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Programme in Arid and Semi-Arid Counties of Kenyaand with reference to the Kenya Constitution which upholds education as a fundamental human right and recognizes it as pivotal for the attainment of national human capital development. To achieve the latter, consistent efforts have been made to address issues of access, equity, quality and relevance of education but with regional variations in attainment of all these goals.With the deadline of the MDGs by 2015, it is becoming ever clearer that reaching out to the poorest and the hardest-to-reach children is essential to meeting the international and national commitments in the education sector in Kenya.The majority of children out of primary school in Kenya are in counties in Kenya’s Arid Lands. Net enrolment rates in eight Northern counties range from 20% to 85%, against a national average of 91.6%, and girls are more disadvantaged than boys.The Government of Kenya has invested over $30 million in LCPBS and mobile schools since 2003 in an effort to enhance educational enrolment, retention and learning outcomes, and the number of low cost boarding schools has increased from 247 to 597 since 2003 with varying degrees of standards of infrastructure, Inclusive Environment, Protective Environment, Health Environment and Learning Environment. As a result, the number of pupils enrolled in low cost boarding schools has also increased. However, increased enrolment has not yet resulted in improved learning achievement.MOEST is seeking technical support from UNICEF for a consultant with suitable technical expertise and experience to develop a revised and integrated national school infrastructure standards module that includes a reviewed and developed progressive (from basic scenario – developing scenarios - ideal scenarios) minimum Standards and checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools (LCPBS) based on the Child Friendly Schools FrameworkThe overall objective of the consultancy is to develop, through consensus, a comprehensive, revised and integrated national school infrastructure standards module that incorporates a progressive (from basic scenario – developing scenarios - ideal scenarios) minimum standards and checklist for LCPBS based on the Child Friendly Schools Framework.Specifically, the consultant under the guidance of the UNICEF Kenya Chief of Education and the Director of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education Science and Technology shall:Review and develop minimum Standards and Checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools based on the Child Friendly Schools FrameworkSupport the Ministry of Education Science and Technology in reviewing and revising the national school infrastructure standards to incorporate the minimum Standards and Checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools based on the Child Friendly Schools FrameworkEnsure environmental, socio economic, cultural, school safety and protection considerations in development of the minimum standards and checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools.Develop drawings/architectural designs, corresponding bills of quantities and guidance notesDesired background and experienceAbility to demonstrate previous technical experience and involvement in development of diverse architectural designs, bill of quantities and costing; civil society, government, child and professional bodies engagement.· Degree or technical expertise in engineering, architecture or in a relevant field with demonstrated technical ability and involvement in development of diverse architectural designs and costing.· Experience in conducting similar projects internationally and in Kenya. Experience in ASAL regions is highly preferred.· Experience in stakeholder engagement: civil society, government, children and professional bodies· Demonstration of an in-depth understanding of the concept of Child Friendly School frameworks.· Proof of similar works and consultancy in schools or institutions in ASAL regions of Kenya and other parts of the world.This activity is anchored in the Education Section’s Learning Environment Outcome 10 that states:By 2018, children and adolescents in Kenya receive child-centred quality teaching learning with improved learning outcomes through evidence-based basic education plans and Child Friendly School standards that are implemented with full participation of parents, communities and county governments, including in emergencies, disadvantaged and vulnerable urban contexts.The consultant will work and report directly to the Chief of Education at UNICEF Kenya. He/she is also expected to work closely with relevant officers and directorates in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology and the Ministry of Works, the county governments and other relevant professional bodies.Time Frame and Expected DeliverablesDate/ Timeframe Inception Report Within 2 days after signing of contract A final consolidated and integrated minimum standards and checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools based on the Child Friendly Schools Framework that includes drawings/architectural designs, structural plans, corresponding bills of quantities and guidance notes Within 60 days after signing of contract Dissemination at national level of consolidated minimum Standards and Checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools based on the Child Friendly Schools Framework Within 80 days after signing of contract Final report on consultancy of a consolidated minimum standards and checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools (LCPBS Within 85 days after signing of contractIt is the responsibility of the consultant to consult and build consensus with the relevant professional bodies. It is also critical that the consultant makes reference to relevant acts in Kenya including the Basic Education Act, 2013, the National Education Sector Plan, Vision 2030 and other Legal and Policy frameworks and guides.Development of Minimum Standards and Checklist for Low Cost Primary Boarding Schools (LCPBS)Overall Technical and Financial Criteria Sub-criteria Max. Pts Minimum Requirements Score AwardedEducational, Technical and Professional Experience Submission Completeness and organization of application 3 Educational qualifications of key staff involved Curriculum vitae with relevant details and information of the key consultant and that of up to a maximum of 3 other technical and professional personnel to be involved in the consultancy 5 Team Leader with experience of not less than 6 years in the relevant field and sectorProfessional and Technical Experience Chronological steps, processes and justification to be involved in the consultancy 10 Stakeholders to be involved, their roles and justification and strategies for endorsement of the Minimum Standards and Checklist 3 Type of support to the Ministry of Education Science and Technology in reviewing and revising the national school infrastructure standards 3 Projection and consideration of what and how environmental, socio economic and cultural aspects shall be put in place in development of the minimum standards and checklist 10 Organization of training (who? what? where?) and highlights of content of the training 3 Projected risks available and mitigation measures 3 Relevant completed work/consultancy in development of architectural designs, costing of plans, standards and checklists, stakeholder involvement and capacity building for LCPBS. Experience working with institutions, schools, children and in ASAL regions is desirable. 15 Dissemination: Strategies and plans 5 Implementation time frame (month and day) based on the deliverables 5 To be complete in 3 months after the signing of contract Likelihood of completing the service professionally and in time. 5Educational, Technical and Professional skills: Sub-total Score 70 Financial Proposal Based on the weighted scoring criteria by supplies 30 Educational, Technical and Professional Experience Overall Total 100Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications along with their curricula vitae, quoting the indicative fee range (Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered) to;Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be downloaded athttp://www.unicef.org/kenya with subject line “KCO/SSA/EDU/2014/026”and the consultancy title by COB 17 October 2014.