Uganda: The Amplify program | - 2015

Project/Assignment Title:The Amplify program

Level: NOA

Duration and Type of Contract : 11 Months (Consultancy)

Duty Station: Kampala

Justification

The Amplify program is a collaboration between DFID and IDEO, a design firm based out of San Francisco, USA. Through these challenges DFID is hoping to find a new, more collaborative and human centred way to do development projects. It is a series of ten innovation challenges over five years, of which the third challenge aims toimprove the quality and accessibility of education in humanitarian crisis zones. The focus will be on refugee camps in Uganda and Ethiopia, with an additional focus on engaging the Syrian refugee population remotely. The challenge encompasses several phases including research trips, prototyping ideas, and piloting of the best initiatives for 12-18 months. There are several key actors involved in the challenge including DFID’s Humanitarian and Education divisions, UNICEF Headquarters, UNHCR and a range of local partners, to be determined based on needs identified during the research and prototyping phases. In Uganda UNICEF is the leading partner. Being the lead agency locally, UNICEF Uganda Learning section is recruiting a project coordinator to provide crucial support during the identification, bootcamp, prototype and piloting phases. The project was launched on 31^st March and will last approximately until end of 2016.

The project coordination will be very intensive and will require a dedicated person to ensure success of the Amplify 3 challenge. We require a Project Coordinator with strong communication, planning and management skills for a total of 11 months to ensure that both projects meet the identified deadlines.

Scope of Work:

The main purpose of this assignment is to provide coordination and logistics support to The Amplify Project. The consultant will also support UPortal project with Inter Foundation and other KCL innovations. The consultant is expected to work as part of a dynamic cross-functional team composed staff and consultants at UNICEF and the MoES.

The consultant will be charged with the following responsibilities:

Supporting the Amplify Project:

Participating in meetings with the larger Amplify team, and serving as liaison between the team, UNICEF Uganda, UNHCR, CBOs and MoES;

§ Handling all coordination and communication activities for the project;

§ Handling team logistics, particularly at the prototyping and piloting stages;

§ Identifying suitable partners for the pilot stage and preparing all legal and contractual arrangements related to the pilots;

§ Offering critical insights as to the local context, especially at the prototyping and piloting stages;

§ Identifying barriers inhibiting the prototyping and piloting processes, and escalating such issues appropriately;

§ Managing fully the pilot stage including monitoring;

§ Reporting to NYHQ and DFID as per the MoU;

§ Liaising in-country with all the partners both on idea-stage and pilot stage;

§ Highlighting areas of concern as well as mitigating strategies throughout;

§ Contacting local partners and working with UNHCR in Uganda as appropriate;

§ Responding to all requests for information;

§ Leading the assessment of the ideas that leads into shortlisting;

§ Liaising with technical officers in UNICEF and UNHCR

The responsibilities also include:

· Providing critical support to the Amplify project and serving as the primary liaison between the Amplify team and UNICEF Uganda.

· Ensuring that all documentation, coordination and logistic needs for the Amplify project are met.

· Ensuring that UNICEF Education in New York is kept abreast of key project developments.

The work will consist of deskwork, including frequent phone communication with districts, partners and reporters. Frequent field visits to focus districts are necessary

Expected Deliverables and timeframe

Each deliverable output should be submitted at the end of the month indicated within the deliverable. Any potential delays arising due to unforeseen circumstances or issues beyond the control of the consultant should be raised during biweekly check-ins, in an effort to ensure contract continuity. The length of the contract in total is 11 months.

Tasks and Deliverables

Task 1: Development of a strategy for the Amplify 3 in Uganda in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including the Government, UNHCR and DFID. Deliverable: Strategy showing the direction, signed off by DFID and UNHCR

Task 2: Coordination of the Amplify 3 research phase ensuring also small community based organizations working in refugee education are able to participate. Deliverable: Evidence of CBO participation facilitated by UNICEF

Task 3: Coordination of the Amplify 3 ideas phase ensuring also small community based CBOs working in refugee education are able to participate. Deliverable: Final list of all ideas submitted from Uganda

Task 4: A light-touch analysis of all ideas submitted for shortlisting. Deliverable: Analysis submitted to DFID, IDEO and NYHQ for shortlisting of the ideas

Task 5: In-depth analysis of the shortlisted ideas through a consultative process within UNICEF and UNHCR. Deliverable: Analysis signed off by UNICEF and UNHHCR and submitted to DFIF and IDEO

Task 6: Identification of relevant partners for the pilot stage in the refugee settlements and concluding partner agreements with the selected partners. Deliverable: Partner selection concluded based on detailed analysis for the record.

Task 7: Finalization of the prototyping concepts in collaboration with the selected partners, UNHCR and other key stakeholders. Deliverable: Final concepts for the prototype

Task 8: Support partners to start prototyping and ensure the districts and OPM are fully supportive. Deliverable: Evidence that prototype implementation has started.

Task 9: Support implementation of the prototypes and make adjustments to the pilots as required through a consultative process. Deliverable: Documentation on the implementation

Task 10: Support implementation of the prototypes and make adjustments to the pilots as required through a consultative process. Deliverable 10: Documentation on the implementation with evidence on the corrective action.

Task 11: Conduct a mid-term assessment on the prototyping through wide consultations in the field and propose a way forward. Deliverable: Mid-term assessment shared with IDEO and DFID

Reporting requirements:

All documentation (reports, updates, strategies, etc.) should be submitted in both hard and soft copy to the Education and Technology Programme manager and the Education Specialist. After the Education and Technology Programme manager reviews and signs-off on the documentation, it will go to the Education Specialist for final review and sign-off before submission.

Qualification Requirements:

It is required that the candidate have:

· A university degree and relevant background in sociology, anthropology, design, or international development.

· Proven background in project management, especially in scaled initiatives with multiple stakeholders.

· Proven background in mobile or digital project management and implementation.

· Proven experience in working with diverse stakeholders within the GoU.

· Experience in working with innovations (either technology or other innovative approaches)

· Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts to a non-technical audience.

· Good data analysis and reporting skills.

· Good computer skills, including competency in Microsoft Excel.

· Fluency in English.

It is highly recommended that the candidate have:

· An advanced degree in a relevant discipline.

· Experience working with local governments and communities in rural Uganda.

· Knowledge of Ugandan education system.

· Fluency in some local languages, including Luganda, Luo, Runyankole and Lugbara.

Administrative issue

Consultant will be subject to biweekly check-in meetings to report on progress, identify barriers or challenges, etc., with the Technology and Education Programme Manager. The Education Specialist will provide overall management and the Programme Manager will carry out day-to-day supervision.