National Short-term Expert – Research on Policy Gaps and Development of Appropriate Policy Papers

Under Specific Objective 1 of the project, the primary objective of this consulting assignment is to conduct analysis of findings and evidence collection and small-scale research to fill gaps based on the priorities agreed as an outcome of the assessment of the TEVET sector in Malawi that was recently conducted by the project.

The aims of the assignment include but not limited to:
• Develop focused small-scall research in the form of policy papers on at least 4 of the following topics that were prioritised by the TVET assessment recently finalized by the project. The team of two consultants will work on the selected topics together. The other topics not selected may be considered later in a separate assignment to be launch by the British Council at a later stage.
1. Quality assurance in TEVET
2. National Qualifications Framework (NQF) including the TEVET part.
3. Autonomy within TEVET institutions
4. Formal vs informal TEVET programmes
5. Assessment and prospects of vocational training within the secondary education stage
6. Financing TEVET in Malawi and the cost effectiveness of the bursary system and the boarding system (political vs. quality argument)
7. Public vs private TEVET institutions
8. Private sector engagement and the importance of Sector skills bodies
9. Teacher capacity building
• The recommendations and outcomes of the policy papers and research should stimulate dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to foster a coordinated approach to TVET development, including between the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education at the secondary education level for example.
• Address priority areas for policy development, institutional strengthening, and capacity building within the TVET sector.
• Generate evidence-based recommendations for improving the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of TVET provision in Malawi.

Scope of Work:

The selected National Short-Term Expert (NSTE) will work closely with and under the leadership of an International Short-Term Expert (ISTE) to achieve the assignment objectives. The team of two experts will coordinate with the TA Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader and national stakeholders to develop a workplan for the duration of the assignment, to include, but not be limited to, the following activities:

• The NSTE will support the ISTE in collecting and reviewing the findings and outcomes of the recent assessment of the TEVET sector in Malawi conducted by the project.
• The NSTE will support the ISTE to gather and review relevant national policies, strategies, and plans related to TEVET in Malawi including the TEVET ACT and Policy document, further analyse reports, studies, and assessments on TEVET previously conducted in Malawi.
• The NSTE will support the ISTE in identifying and agreeing with the project team specific gaps and priority areas for improvement within the TEVET sector based on the assessment. These will be at least 4 areas from the topics mentioned in the previous section of the ToR.
• Support the ISTE in conducting further analysis and evidence collection to deepen the understanding of the identified gaps and priorities.
• Facilitating the work of the ISTE in undertaking small-scale research to gather additional data and insights that will contribute to addressing the identified gaps and priorities. This included drafting a schedule of meetings and confirming them.
• Support the ISTE to validate finding and presentation of the policy papers to the Governance Technical Working Group (TWG) and other relevant stakeholders.

Deliverables:

The NSTE will provide support in gathering information and data and provide feedback and input to the reports. The ISTE will be responsible for drafting all reports and conducting the research, hence the difference in allocated man-days between the experts. The NSTE will support in delivering the following:

a. A brief Inception Report and work plan: In collaboration with the International Short-term expert, develop a report outlining the proposed research methodology, format of the policy papers and work plan within one week of the assignment’s commencement.
b. Support in developing at least four draft policy papers presenting the findings, conclusions, and recommendations on specific TEVET priority for review and feedback by the project team and relevant stakeholders.
c. In collaboration with the International Short-term expert, conduct validation workshop with the Governance TWG to get feedback on the draft policy papers.
d. Provide support to the final report in-cooperating at least four final policy papers incorporating feedback received by the project tea m TWG and other stakeholders.