Research Consultant: Supporting Local Research in Pakistan

About the project

Against all educational indicators, Pakistan is underperforming. The current quality of classroom teaching in government schools, especially primary schools, is not effective in raising levels of attainment and engagement of learners, nor preparing learners for their future.

We are looking for a qualified consultancy team to carry out an assignment against the terms of reference detailed in section 7 (Specification) of the Request for Proposal (RFP).

The consultancy team will be made up of;

1. an international consultant who would provide oversight, direction on approach and methodology, filtering of secondary data sources, review of research instruments, QA of report, and take overall accountability for the delivery of the assignment; with an estimated input of seven consultancy days and to include a short visit to Pakistan at the end of the primary data cleaning stage.
2. a national research partner who would be responsible for the completion of the assignment in all other respects; with an estimated input of 15 days.

We welcome either separate expressions of interest from international and national consultants or combined expressions of interest from existing partnered consultants.

About the role

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following between 28 February and 30 April 2020:

Output 1: Context review

• national and provincial educational outcome indicators
• current teacher pre-service preparation and in-service support systems
• teacher motivation, competence and performance
• Brief reviews of the following: scope and performance of the private sector; the status, value and role of English within public school education; policy concerning literacy and numeracy

Output 2: Review of the current strategic direction, priorities, success and example interventions of the following key stakeholders;

• Government (at both the national and provincial level)
• Donor community
• Civil society organisations

Output 3: Beneficiary description

• Motivation and ambition
• Competence
• Engagement with professional development opportunities
• Performance

Output 4: Review of British Council draft 5-year teacher preparation and support strategy in relation to the following features;

• Strategic alignment
• Focus
• Understanding of evidence-base
• Beneficiary need alignment
• Model
• Coherency of interventions
• Capacity
• Value for money
• Impact measurement
• Sustainability
• Risks and assumptions

Final Report 1

• Executive summary of findings for the first three outputs, disaggregated by province
• Detailed section for each of the first three outputs
• Actionable recommendations that answer the question:
   - How can teachers best be prepared and supported to raise the levels of attainment and engagement of their learners?
   - Examples of successful and innovative service provision encountered

Report 2

• Executive summary of findings for output 4
• Detailed section for output 4
• Actionable recommendations that answers the  question; in relation to Report 1 findings, how can the British Council 2025 strategy, best contribute to the preparation and support of teachers to raise the levels of attainment and engagement of their learners?

Qualifications and experience required

International consultant

• Senior researcher in the field of educational development, including in the area of teacher preparation and support, and with 10 years relevant experience
• Excellent track record in overseeing and delivering complex international research assignments in the field of education
• Excellent communication and intercultural skills
• Familiarity with a range of approaches designed to measure impact and value for money

National consultant

• Researcher in the field of educational development, including in the area of teacher preparation and support, with 10 years relevant experience
• Excellent track record in delivering complex international research assignments in the field of education
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral

For more information, please download the Request for Proposal document below.
If interested, please submit an expression of interest that includes the following documents:

1. CV and supporting statement highlighting how you meet the selection criteria 
2. Suggested approach to meet the terms of reference  
3. Professional fee rates

Note: Please indicate whether you are applying for the national or international consultant role.

All documents should be submitted to hina.saleem@britishcouncil.org.pk with the title; Education Consultant: Supporting Action Research Publication according to the following timescale:

• Deadline for clarification questions, please submit to aafia.qureshi@britishcouncil.org.pk - 7 February 2020
• British Council to respond to clarification questions - 12 February 2020
• Deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest - 17 February 2020

Please note we will only respond to successful applicants within 15 working days of the application submission.