SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Development of National Human Development Reprot (NHDR) for Armenia
- Notice Date
- 3/13/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541618
— Other Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, Armenia USAID-Yerevan, Department of State, Washington, DC, 20521-7020
- ZIP Code
- 20521-7020
- Solicitation Number
- 111-06-004
- Response Due
- 4/12/2006
- Point of Contact
- Narine Sarkisian, Acquisition Assistant, Phone 011-374-1-51955, Fax 011-374-1-54387, - Armen Tamazyan, Acquisition Specialist, Phone 011-374-1-543-835, Fax 011-374-1-543-871,
- E-Mail Address
-
nsarkisian@usaid.gov, atamazyan@usaid.gov
- Description
- USAID/Armenia is seeking an international expert to work with UNDP and the group of national experts to develop 2006 National Human Development Report on Education. The international expert on education is responsible for providing research guidelines to national experts, summarizing research outcomes and presenting recommendations on Armenia’s education reform framework. The expert will work with a team of five national experts and UNDP focal point for NHDR. The expert will also be responsible for drafting the final chapter of the Report that would summarize main issues of policy concerns and relevant policy recommendations. He/she is expected to draw on international experience in education reforms, in particular, those in transition countries. Background: The objective of 2006 NHDR is to initiate a national debate on education in Armenia, and to promote the open society agenda by supporting broad public participation and civic engagement in public policy. It is broadly believed that human capital and, in particular, education is key for Armenia’s development. It is also believed that national debates and the role of open society agenda are very important for the success in education reforms. The year 2006 is the year of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) nationalization/localization and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) review, which would bring revisions in education policy. From another perspective, a major reform package in the education sector is being currently implemented in Armenia and the next waves of it are under consideration. Thus, both USAID and UNDP believe that there is a momentum for discussing the strategic issues in education and initiating broad national debates. It is expected that the 2006 NHDR on Education will be an important advocacy tool and knowledge asset for highlighting and addressing development needs in education, increasing public awareness, and policy review and adjustment. The report will be a product of teamwork. National experts working under the guidance of the international expert and UNDP country economist will draft the Report. The expert will draft the last Chapter of the Report that summarizes policy findings and the recommendations. Scope of work: First phase – preparatory part: In ten-day mission to Armenia in the second half of March 2006, the expert will coordinate the team of national experts to lay groundwork for the research (estimated 8 working days). In this phase, the expert will: • Advise UNDP Armenia NHDR focal point on identifying specific tasks for national consultants; • Comment on the NHDR outline and recommend changes/additions, if needed; • Review and adjust individual work plans of national experts for March – June; • Examine the gaps in data; and • Based on the identified gaps advise UNDP on conducting surveys. Second Phase- drafting the Report: The second phase includes drafting the report, circulating initial findings for commentary to key stakeholders, finalizing the report and policy recommendations. In this phase the expert will: • Provide research advice to national experts via e-mail communication in April - May (estimated 5 working days); • Review research outcomes of individual experts that will be submitted by the end of May and propose adjustments if required (estimated 4 working days); • Provide advice to UNDP Armenia NHDR focal point on coordinating the team of the national experts and their researches (1 working day); • Draft the last chapter of the NHDR on policy recommendations drawing on research outcome of team members (estimated 5 working days); and • Review the final draft of NHDR that will be submitted to the expert by mid June (estimated 2 working days). In addition, the assignment will include the following tasks and activities: • Analysis of Government of Armenia’s policies and strategies in education sector, their implementation status, and effectiveness; • Consideration of relevant education sector successful policies and best practices implemented in other comparable regions, such as Europe & Eurasia, South America, etc.; • Solicitation of input using instruments such as interviews with individuals and small groups, surveys, and focus group meetings; • Working meetings and consultation with USAID and UNDP technical staff and management; briefing USAID and UNDP staff and management during key stages of the process; and • Coordination with the Government of Armenia and other involved stakeholders. Deliverables: The deliverables consist of interim and final reports and briefings/presentations to USAID and UNDP. These are: 1. Finalized report outline 2. Finalized work plan for national experts 3. Interim report and presentation of initial findings and work in progress 4. Out-briefing for USAID and UNDP prior to departure from Armenia 5. Draft NHDR submitted for review and comments 6. Final NHDR Changes to this list of deliverables can be made by mutual agreement, documented in writing, between the expert and UNDP and USAID representatives. Timeline and level of effort: The target start date for the NHDR process is March 2006 and the target date for delivery of the final report is June 2006. The expert is expected to provide a level of effort of 200 hours over the course of four months and will be expected to work in Armenia for eight days. Lodging and a standard per-diem amount will be provided by USAID/Armenia during the period spent in-country. Qualifications: The following qualifications will be considered for the selection of the expert. • At least five years experience in research and consultancy in a number of education areas that are of 2006 NHDR focus (reforms, organization of education, basic education, socialization issues, quality of education); • Extensive experience in comparative education studies; • Research and consultancy experience in Eastern European and CIS countries, and strong knowledge of Human Development concepts are desirable; • A minimum of a Masters Degree and preferable a PhD in education or a related field; • Extensive experience authoring English language analytical reports, policy papers, project evaluations or similar documents on education sector topics; and • Strong communication and teamwork skills. Candidates should be available during the dates listed in the timeline section and should submit: • A detailed resume • A relevant writing sample outlining the expert’s proposed methodology to complete this assignment (maximum 3 pages) • Up to three references • A cost proposal (excluding travel, lodging and per diem) Selection criteria: Experience: 50 points Extent to which the past professional experience of the expert is commensurate with the level of responsibility and expertise required for the assignment Writing: 30 points Relevance and quality of the writing sample provided based on content, clarity of writing and structural organization Education: 10 points Extent to which the academic background of the expert is commensurate with the level of knowledge and theoretical foundation required for the assignment References: 10 points Results of reference checks, including personal skills, and degree to which individuals provided as references are authoritative and appropriate to the domain NOTE: THIS NOTICE WAS NOT POSTED TO FEDBIZOPPS ON THE DATE INDICATED IN THE NOTICE ITSELF (13-MAR-2006); HOWEVER, IT DID APPEAR IN THE FEDBIZOPPS FTP FEED ON THIS DATE. PLEASE CONTACT fbo.support@gsa.gov REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
- Web Link
-
Link to FedBizOpps document.
(http://www.fbo.gov/spg/AID/OM/ARM/111-06-004/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Yerevan
- Country: Armenia
- Country: Armenia
- Record
- SN01005453-F 20060315/060313212136 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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