review of rationalised fee structure

Kingdom of Lesotho

Ministry of Education and Training

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

for

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO REVIEW THE RATIONALISED SECONDARY FEE STRUCTURE PROGRAMME IN LESOTHO

COUNTRY: Kingdom of Lesotho

PROJECT: Basic Education Strengthening Project (BESP)

SECTOR: Education

GRANT NO.: TF0B7784

An Individual Consultant to review the rationalised secondary fee structure programme in Lesotho (LS-MOSD-337310-CS-INDV)

• The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) received grant financing (Grant No.: TF0B7784) from Global Partnership for Education (GPE), amounting to US$7.1m, to support implementation of the Basic Education Strengthening Project (BESP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consultancy services for a three (3) year period effective from February 2022 to February 2025. The project is managed and coordinated by the World Bank as the Grant Agent. The objective of the project is to improve student retention and teaching quality in junior secondary schools in targeted regions of Lesotho and support the rollout of a new Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) curriculum, to strengthen service delivery. The project focuses on key activities that are priorities for the MoET within the context of its Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the updated ESSP implementation plan. It builds on lessons learned and opportunities arising from similar projects, including the Lesotho Education Quality for Equality Project (LEQEP) and the Lesotho Basic Education Improvement Project (LBEIP). The grant will further support the Government of Lesotho in its efforts to improve the quality, efficiency, and equity of basic education service delivery and student retention in target schools. The project aims to achieve the Project Development Objective (PDO) through the following three components:

Component 1 (Improving student retention in junior secondary education): This component focuses on: providing assistance to families to address financial barriers to secondary education, (Sub comp 1.1) , promoting the use of "knowledge creation with peers" and "safe space" approaches in youth clubs to empower adolescents with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions (Sub comp 1.2) and supporting online Teacher training for Mathematics and Science Teachers in junior secondary schools to improve the quality of teaching (Sub comp 1.3).

Component 2 (System strengthening to improve ECCD service delivery): This component focuses on priority interventions to strengthen ECCD service delivery in Lesotho by: providing structured support to roll out the new curriculum (Sub comp 2.1), mapping of ECCD providers (Sub comp 2.2) and developing a costed and comprehensive expansion strategy for ECCD in Lesotho (Sub comp 2.3).

Component 3 (Project management, capacity building and technical assistance): This component focuses on strengthening project management functions of all other components through capacity building, technical assistance and monitoring and evaluation.

• Under Sub-comp 1.3 MOET is seeking for an Individual Consultant to review the rationalised secondary fee structure programme in Lesotho. The assignment is estimated to be carried out within 4 months. The signing of the contract is estimated in April, 2023.

• The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address in point 8 below.

• The MOET now invites eligible Individual Consultant to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultant shall clearly demonstrate their understanding of the expected outputs, proposed approach to the services involved, and should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services. The shortlisting criteria are: Selection will be made in accordance with the Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016 and updated November 2020 (Fourth Edition) and based on the following criteria

• The incumbent should preferably hold a Ph.D in Education or Social Sciences
• At least 5 years research experience, with evidence of research experience in education and similar exercise.
• Proven record undertaking at least three successful assignments of a similar nature and scope,
• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government ministries, development partners, non-governmental organizations, and communities,
• Experience in designing both qualitative and quantitative research studies, developing tools, collecting, analyzing, and reporting data,
• Strong analytical skills and Microsoft office suite (Excel etc.).
• Effective communication skills including presentations and reporting.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English, proficiency Sesotho will be an added advantage.

• The selection of the suitable Individual Consultant will be consistent with the requirements of the Terms of Reference in accordance with the requirements and based on open national market approach and Individual Consultant selection (IC), pursuant to World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations based on open national market approach and pursuant to World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016 and updated November 2020 (Fourth Edition). The attention of Individual Consultant is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016 and updated November 2020 (Fourth Edition), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

• (The Consultant shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower).

• Further information can be obtained at the address indicated in point 8 below during office hours (08h00 to 16h30 hours- Lesotho Time) working days.

• Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person) or e-mail) by March 17, 2023 at 16h30 (Lesotho Time)

Procurement Unit

Attn: Mrs. Malebohang Mou

Procurement Specialist

Education Facilities Unit

Site 130 Fokothi

Off Moshoeshoe Road

P.O. Box 1279

Maseru 100, Lesotho

Tel: (+266) 22324968

E-mail: [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] and [email protected]

• Submissions must be clearly titled (including on the submission envelope where applicable): “Expression of Interest for selection of an Individual Consultant to review the rationalised secondary fee structure programme in Lesotho (LS-MOSD-337310-CS-INDV)’’