TA Implementation Partner for MoBSE

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Assignment Title: Recruitment of an Implementation Partner for MoBSE

Reference No. GM-PPPPE-422648-CS-QCBS

• Context and Background information on the Consultancy

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), with support from its development partners, seeks to engage a qualified and experienced implementation partner to support the improvement of foundational learning outcomes in The Gambia, particularly in early grades. This partnership aims to address the persistent challenges in reading, writing, and numeracy skills among students, hindering their academic progress and future opportunities

• Objectives and Outputs

Expressions of interest are sought for a firm or organization to work in close partnership with MoBSE and provide technical assistance and capacity development on the design and implementation of a structured pedagogy program to increase foundational learning outcomes for early-grade students in The Gambia with an initial interest in literacy and numeracy. At its conclusion, the dual goals of this contract are:

a. To improve reading skills: Public school students in ECD and grades 1-3 demonstrate improved foundational learning outcomes, particularly in reading sub-skills. including phonological awareness, systematic phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing, in national languages and English.

b. To strengthen MoBSE’s technical and implementation capacity and services: The consultancy will have supported MoBSE with its national program to improve literacy and numeracy and leave MoBSE with the capacity to continue implementing a structured pedagogy approach within its own people and budget. This will be achieved through a comprehensive approach using a structured pedagogy program.

• Key Expectations

The implementation partner will be responsible for delivering the following key deliverables:

Government Leadership

• Advise and support government leadership to design, implement, and adapt a comprehensive foundational learning program for early grades mapped to the learning outcomes in the new competency-based curriculum.

• Provide ongoing technical assistance and operational support to MoBSE on structured pedagogy throughout the program implementation.

• Build capacity at MoBSE to ensure ownership of the structured pedagogy program and sustainability for future scale up.

Teaching and Learning Materials

• Develop the approved teaching and learning materials, including scripted lesson plans, for ECD to G4 and in the appropriate languages (up to 7 national languages and English as a second language; one set of materials should be versioned in braille for visually-impaired students; and similar support is also sought for the development of Gambian Sign Language).

Teacher Training and Ongoing Support

• Provide technical assistance to MoBSE and help train all ECD-G3 teachers on the use of the new teaching and learning materials (e.g., scripted lesson plans) and effective foundational learning methodologies.

• Provide and support teachers and schools with necessary skills as needed and relevant to the program, including technology-based skills, play-based pedagogical approaches to learning, etc.

• Partner with stakeholders (e.g., head teachers, cluster monitors, etc.) to design and oversee classroom monitoring and coaching.

• Develop and deploy ongoing teacher support materials for coaches and the teachers themselves (e.g., semi-structured reflective guides and semi-structured session plans for communities of practice)

Data, systems, and accountability

• Design and implement a monitoring system to track student progress and program effectiveness.

• Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of the program, in partnership with MoBSE, to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability (e.g., program dashboard).

Community Engagement

• Develop and implement a comprehensive community engagement strategy leveraging existing knowledge and expertise on what works.

Technology integration

• Develop and integrate complementary EdTech solutions, including a Learning Management System (LMS), into the existing EMIS.

• Train stakeholders on the use of EdTech tools relevant to the program.

Consultant’ Firm’s Selection Criteria

• The consultant firm must demonstrated experience in implementing successful foundational learning programs in similar contexts.

• Strong expertise in curriculum development, including national languages, materials development, teacher training and coaching, assessment (development of literacy/numeracy assessment approach and tools), and EdTech integration.

• Proven track record of working with governments, communities, and other stakeholders in education.

• The responding firm or organization should provide detailed information about its past experience in similar projects, including the potential profiles of its proposed team.

• In-country, day-to-day presence is expected for a core part of the team, which should comprise individuals with a strong track record in their respective areas of expertise, relevant to the scope of this assignment.

Submission of Expressions of Interest:

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) through the Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project, now invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultant firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultant Firms may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

A Consultant firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Base Selection Method (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 12h30 on Friday.

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by electronic mail) on or before 28th June 2024 at 12h30 GMT

Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project, RISE

Royal Insurance Building

2nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]