creative Overview:
Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Program Overview:
The five-year READ II project, funded by USAID, will boost the quality of literacy instruction and student support, reaching out to children at risk of failure and dropout caused by cognitive, emotional and physical effects of hunger, violence, and displacement. READ II seeks to better equip teachers with effective early grade reading instruction techniques and materials in seven local languages and English, while simultaneously building a culture of reading in the school, home and community.
READ II's overall objective is to contribute to USAID/Ethiopia’s goal of improving the reading proficiency of 15 million children by 2023, with a focus on six target regions - Addis Ababa, Amhara, Oromia, Somali, SNNPR, and Tigray.
The overall objective is supported by three intermediate results:
IR 1. Improved classroom reading and writing instruction,
IR 2. Strengthened community engagement in education activities, and
IR 3. Improved leadership, management, and delivery capacity at each administrative level.
These results are supported by three cross-cutting and complementary components:
(1) Interventions that can prepare a range of vulnerable and at-risk students to succeed;
(2) Implementation of a structured gender approach to increase girls' and boys’ grade retention and grade progression at key grades in key regions or zones; and
(3) Use of a Crisis Modifier so that the project might provide services for students who are unexpectedly confronted by the effects of conflict or other emergency-related events.
In 2018 and 2019, READ II introduced two-year teacher professional development programs for Grades 1 to 4 and Grades 5 to 8 Mother Tongue teachers that include in-service training, coaching, and teacher study groups. READ II is also offering professional development for those who support teachers: mentors, Cluster Supervisors, and School Directors.
In 2019, the Ministry of Education plans to introduce new Grades 1 to 8 English teacher guides and student books that are based on the updated and revised syllabi for Grades 1 to 4 and Grades 5 to 8 English language instruction. As planned, the Ministry of Education will distribute the teacher guides and student books to schools in time for the beginning of the 2019/2020 academic year. To support the Ministry of Education’s initiative, READ II will provide orientation on the new syllabi and teaching and learning materials to education officials and school directors.
For teachers, READ II will collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Regional Education Bureaus to develop teacher professional development programs for two new cohorts: Grades 1 to 4 English language teachers and Grades 5 to 8 English language teachers. These programs will be based on the following: 1) READ II’s two-year teacher professional development model and 2) findings of a rapid assessment used to identify priority topics for training and teacher study group toolkit development.
Scope of work for the Consultancy Services
Basic Consultancy Information
Consultancy Dates: Tasks to be undertaken for periods of approximately 35-40 days between July and December 2019
Locations: Addis Ababa, Amhara, Tigray, Somali, Oromia, and SNNP Regions (depending on tasks)
Supervised by the Education Advisor: Senior Reading Specialist, Senior Pre-Service Specialist, or the Senior Policy and/or the Institutional Capacity Building Specialist
Consultancy Overall Objectives
Specific objectives
The specific objectives include but are not limited to:
Deliverables
The consultant will be responsible to provide task specific deliverables to be attached with the contract.