INTRODUCTION:
The Ministry of Education, Culture & Higher Education of the Federal Government is responsible Establishing quality education system for all Somali citizens that offers equal opportunities and promotes respect for human rights and observes Islamic principles as articulated in the provisional Constitution of the Federal Government of Somalia (2012) and the National Education Policy (revised in 2023). The Overall goal of the education sector is to ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood, basic and primary, secondary, technical and vocational, higher education, and complete with relevant and effective learning outcomes. The strategic goals of the sector are governed by the National Development Plan (2020-2024), the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2022-2026), the Somali Partnership Compact (2023-2026).
Save the Children has worked in Somalia for over 70 years and is a national and international leader in humanitarian and development programming. Our long operational history and broad geographical coverage, has afforded us positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including the federal government, state and local authorities, donors, international and local NGOs, as well as the trust and acceptance of the communities themselves. Save the Children has operational presence in 17 regions in the country, with over 640 national and international staff across 14 field offices. Save the Children implements a wide range of multi-sectoral humanitarian and development projects in Somalia. Our programming is guided by our Country Strategic Plan 2022-24 which follows a child life cycle model to make sure our programs consider a child and their needs holistically and respond with thematically integrated and age-appropriate interventions.
BACKGROUND:
The System Transformation Grant (STG), funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), is a three-year initiative aimed at catalyzing sustainable advancements within the education sector of Federal Government of Somalia. With a robust focus on the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2022-2026) and the Partnership Compact's outlined priorities, the STG endeavors to bolster primary enrollment rates, enhance literacy and numeracy, and establish a transparent and efficient financial framework. The STG seeks to revolutionize the education landscape, ensuring equitable access to quality education across urban and rural areas while fostering accountability and efficiency in financial management. Through strategic partnerships and comprehensive interventions, the STG aims to lay the foundation for a transformed education system, driving socio-economic progress and prosperity for Somalia's future generations.
Purpose of the Consultancy:
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the MOECHE to establish a National Education Fund which is a type of financing mechanism that will pool together funds from multiple local sources such as the government, the Somali private sector, foundations, diaspora groups and local communities. The establishment of a National Pooled Fund for education is expected to address the single largest issue facing the Somali education sector, namely low domestic financing resulting in the lack of available public education services. The consultancy will support MOECHE through technical support in the design, analysis of capacities and in developing operational procedures and mechanisms for managing the pooled fund.
The activities under this consultancy will be implemented through a consultative and participatory approach. All stakeholders will be consulted and provided with an opportunity to contribute to the development process.
Specific Tasks and Objectives:
• Conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing funding mechanisms and practices within the education sector.
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Reviewing international best practices in education financing, particularly related to the establishment and operation of education funds in a similar context.
• Collaborating with stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners, to gather input and ensure buy-in for the national education fund.
• Developing a draft framework for the National Education Fund, including objectives, governance structure, funding sources, allocation criteria, and monitoring mechanisms.
• Facilitating consultations and workshops to solicit feedback on the draft framework and incorporating relevant inputs into the final version.
• Providing technical assistance to MOECHE in drafting the necessary legal and regulatory documents for the establishment and operationalization of the national education fund.
• Developing guidelines and procedures for the allocation and disbursem*nt of funds from the national education fund, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with national education priorities.
• Supporting capacity building efforts within MOECHE and other relevant institutions to enable effective implementation and management of the national education fund.
• Providing ongoing advisory support to MOECHE during the initial phase of national education fund implementation, including troubleshooting and addressing any challenges that may arise.
Specific Deliverables:
• Detailed inception report to explain the process, methodology, scope and timeline.
• Comprehensive analysis report on existing education funding mechanisms.
• Draft framework for the National Education Fund.
• Final framework for the National Education Fund incorporating stakeholder feedback.
• Legal and regulatory documents for the establishment and operationalization of the National Education Fund.
• Guidelines and procedures for the allocation and disbursem*nt of funds from the National Education Fund.
• Capacity building materials and training sessions for relevant stakeholders.
• Ongoing advisory support to MOECHE as required.
Roles and Responsibilities
• The sought service requires level of effort from an individual consultant or a firm that can provide experienced consultant who will deliver the work, reporting to the MOECHE and Grant Agent.
• MOECHE and FMS MOEs– will provide all the necessary information/facilitation support to the selected firm/ individual consultant that would help complete the deliverables successfully.
• SCI – will manage the contract of the firm/ individual and provide necessary support both technical and financial.
• The individual/ firm lead consultant – will take the responsibility to accomplish the deliverables.
• The individual/ firm lead consultant will work closely with the MOECHE and FMS MOEs team and the SCI education technical team. The consultant will also liaise with education development partners as relevant.
Budget and Payment Terms:
The budget for the consultancy will be allocated based on a detailed cost breakdown provided by the individual/ firm lead consultant. Payments will be disbursed in installments upon satisfactory completion of agreed-upon milestones and deliverables.
Reporting and Supervision:
• The consultancy will be supervised by the Permanent Secretary within MOECHE Somalia, in collaboration with the GPE Grant Agent Chief of Party. Regular communication and reporting
