Background
Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) is a non-governmental organization committed to addressing challenges that impact the lives and wellbeing of girls, women and young people in areas of education, health and environment. We envision a world where young girls and women are empowered to live dignified lives by co-creating innovative solutions with communities, women and young people towards an equitable, just, and sustainable future. Over the years, BCAI has actively championed and supported projects that promote access to quality, equitable and inclusive education for young people, especially girls across Northern Nigeria, through policy advocacy, community engagement, capacity strengthening, and digital campaigns.
BCAI has recently secured partnership and support from Malala Fund for the Bridging Access to Girls’ Education (BAGE) Project. This project is aimed at creating an enabling environment for increased investment and access to girls’ education in Kano State. One of the objectives of this project is to conduct a research on gender-responsive education budgeting and expenditure in Kano State, Nigeria. In light of this, we would like to engage the professional services of one consultant to carry out research and analysis on the above-mentioned and produce a report that can be used for stakeholders’ engagement, advocacies, capacity building and institutional strengthening.
Purpose of the Research
BCAI will engage the service of a consultant to undertake the research and produce an initial report on gender-responsive education budgeting and expenditure in Kano State. The study will focus on contextualization and improved understanding of the current status of the state’s gender-responsiveness in education budgeting to serve as the basis for advocacy, stakeholders’ engagement and capacity strengthening. The report will also aid advocacy towards improving the subsequent education budget processes in the State in a manner that is sensitive and responsive, and such that achieves the integration of gender perspectives in budget planning, drafting, implementation, and evaluation in the quest to prompt girl-child education in the State.
Scope of Work
Specifically, the research or baseline assessment will cover:
- Conducting a Thorough Review of Budget Documents: Analyze the current and past education budgets at the state level, focusing on allocations earmarked for girls’ education. This will involve examining budget statements, financial reports, and related policy documents to assess how gender considerations are integrated into budgetary decisions.
- Engaging with Key Education Stakeholders: Facilitate discussions with officials from the State Ministry of Education, SUBEB, SBMC, school administrators, teachers, and community leaders to gather insights on the implementation of the education budget. This engagement will also seek to understand the challenges and opportunities in aligning budgeting practices with the educational needs of girls.
- Data Collection and Field Research: Undertake field research, including visits to schools and communities, to collect primary data on the impact of education spending on girls and capture a comprehensive picture of how budgetary allocations translate into educational resources and outcomes for girls.
- Analysis and Reporting: With the collected data, the consultant will perform a detailed analysis to identify trends, gaps, and the effectiveness of the education budget in addressing gender disparities. The findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report that includes visual representations of data, such as charts and graphs, to illustrate key points clearly.
- Development of Actionable Recommendations: Based on the analysis, the consultant will formulate strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing the gender responsiveness of education budgeting. These recommendations will be designed to inform policy adjustments, advocacy strategies, and capacity-building initiatives that can be implemented by various stakeholders to improve girls’ education in Kano State.
- Facilitating a One Day Training Session: The consultant will also facilitate a one day sensitization session for key education authorities and stakeholders in the state using findings and recommendations from the GREB research and analysis. The training will be organized by BCAI and will take place upon the completion of the research and analysis.
Output
The research exercise is towards producing a report on the state of gender-responsiveness in education budgeting and expenditure in Kano State in the last three – five years. The report must not be more than 20 pages.
Supervision
The consultant will work with minimal guidance from the Executive Director of BCAI, who would ensure all questions and concerns are addressed, the quality of the research is assured, and that the final deliverable meets the objective of the research work.
Duration
The consultancy shall run for a maximum of 20 working days, starting from the day the consultancy agreement is signed and initial payment is made.
Eligibility Criteria
The successful consultant will, amongst others, possess a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrable track record of researching education and child rights; have deep and incisive analytical skills, show evidence of completion of similar tasks in the last two (2) years; and must have considerable experience in budgeting and have conducted similar assignments on girl-child education.
Application Process
Interested candidates are requested to submit a Resume, and cover letter stating relevant qualification and experience required for the award of the consultancy including a proposed consultancy fee, and at least three samples of completed research writings in a similar area. These should be sent by email to recruit@bridgeconnectafrica.org, with the subject: “Eol: on Gender-Responsive Education Budgeting Consultancy” no later than Sunday, May 5th, 2024.
Selection Criteria
Applications received will be reviewed based on the requirement for the consultancy and selection will be made based on the principles of objectivity, impartiality, and neutrality.
Feedback
Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted by email, no later than May 10th, 2024.