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For every child, Education! 

 

To learn more about UNICEF career and the work in Rwanda, please visit the country website https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/RWA/ or watch this video about UNICEF work in Rwanda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7B91m5Yzoc and UNICEF Careers | UNICEF Careers.

How can you make a difference? 

Background:

In 2023, the Ministry of Education, in close collaboration with the Education Sector Working Group, developed the Rwanda Partnership Compact, which is a roadmap for system transformation through priority reforms needed in the education sector. The compact identified inclusive, quality teaching and learning for all boys and girls as the priority for reform in the education sector. To achieve this goal, the compact focuses on three outcomes: (1) Improved foundational learning, (2) timely enrollment and progression, and (3) enhanced education sector capacity, coordination, leadership, and financing. These outcomes and interventions guide education sector stakeholders in their programming, with all efforts geared towards implementing the partnership compact prioritized policy reform area.

 

This Partnership Compact demonstrates the strong commitment of the Government of Rwanda to the transformation of education in Rwanda by ensuring inclusive quality teaching and learning for all girls and boys.

The development of the Rwanda Partnership Compact followed the steps described by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Compact Development Guidelines (February 2023). The key steps include a diagnosis of gaps in programming and the proposed interventions to address these gaps which would lead to transformation of the education system. The diagnosis of gaps was built on the enabling factors analysis conducted earlier, that looked at capacities on data and evidence generation, gender responsive planning, coordination and domestic financing. The compact further outlined monitoring and evaluation priorities. Progress has been made in the implementation of the compact.

In April 2025, the compact reached its midpoint. It is time to review the implementation to inform the education sector of the progress made and identify areas needing additional effort to achieve the intended results. The midterm review will be done in the context of monitoring and evaluation reporting on the partnership Compact implementation which is expected to be results-oriented and evidence-based. It is expected that the midterm review will be conducted by Joint Sector Reviews, government’s data management systems, external studies, and stakeholder consultations.

 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Midterm review is a key moment for government and partners to assess the implementation of the priority reform.  It will serve as an opportunity to course- correct, strengthen alignment of partner interventions (including GPE grants), identify gaps or stubborn bottlenecks to reform delivery, mobilize additional financing, and agree that future GPE support could add value.  In addition, it will also serve as the basis for the GPE Board decision on the next country allocation. The Compact mid-term review will provide space to support the following objectives:

• Review the overall progress and achievements of education reform implementation envisioned under Partnership Compact with focus priority reform theory of change, including commitments to gender equality and inclusion as well as enabling factors: (1) data and evidence; (2) sector planning, policy, and monitoring; (3) sector coordination; and (4) volume, equity, and efficiency of domestic public expenditure on education,
• Assess how different programs have contributed to progress on the priority reform,
• Update the partnership compact and have it aligned with the current Education Sector Strategic Plan (2024-2029)
• Agree on intermediate actions (6-10) needed to accelerate progress in the next year
• Propose new focus areas for GPE 2030 funding and potential new top-up triggers.

 

•  

The approach will include a relatively modest subset of quantitative and qualitative data, which will measure implementation progress against the indicators outlined in Partnership Compact monitoring framework.

The assignment will be implemented jointly with the Ministry of Education staff under the leadership of Permanent Secretary. The Ministry of Education will also engage its affiliated agencies namely, Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) and Rwanda TVET Board. The Ministry of Education will engage members of Education Sector Working Groups and other relevant ministries. With this, the exercise will enable us to undertake rigorous and inclusive analysis of Partnership Compact progress.

 

Under direct supervision of Head of Education Sector Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Department with support from UNICEF Education team, the consultant is expected to support the Ministry of Education on:

 

• Design and lead a robust and credible partnership Compact mid-term review, guided by the Ministry of Education monitoring and evaluation framework with a set of appropriate processes, output and outcome indicators of the Partnership Compact and in accordance with the GPE Secretariat guidelines. This will include specific deliverables and completion of applicable GPE templates, as well as facilitating an inclusive dialogue and consultation with key government officials and education sector partners to ensure stakeholder inputs considered. 
• Update the Partnership Compact through alignment with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2024-2029) and with consideration of necessary adjustments based on the outcomes of the partnership compact mid-term review and from lessons learnt.

 

In addition, the review process will be concluded with a high-level meeting among state and non-state partners, where key findings and recommendations will be presented, and Aid Memoire/Meeting Resolution will be developed to reflect on concerted effort and coordination, as well as adequate resources and expertise to successfully implement the Partnership Compact priorities in its remainder timeframe.

Key Tasks:

Task 1. Preparation + country self-assessment

• Setting out the plan/timeframe for activities and pulling together the Education Sector Working Group (ESWG) task team to oversee the midterm review process.
• Through desk review of progress reports and consultation meetings with government officials and ESWG members; conduct in-depth analysis on the overall progress and achievements of implementation of Partnership Compact focusing on Country Self-Assessment-Looking Back and complete the MTR questionnaire on:

• Enabling Factors Analysis
• Status implementation of the Theory of Change/Compact Triggers/ gender equality, inclusion and learning outcomes.

• Adapting a Compact Results Framework

 

Task 2: Lead the Inclusive dialogue and draft midterm review memo

• This entails leading consultations and stakeholders’ engagement and consultation to look forward. 

Based on the consultation with key stakeholders and desk review, propose changes for the Rwanda Partnership Compact (changes to the Priority Reform/Theory of Change, intermediate actions (6-10) 

• needed to accelerate progress; propose new GPE 2030 top-up triggers and areas for GPE Financing) and ensure alignment with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (2024-2029).
• Draft midterm review memo.

 

Task3: Facilitate endorsement of the revised compact and the midterm review memo  

• The review process will be concluded with a high-level endorsement meeting Education Sector Working Group Members  where key findings and recommendations will be presented, and a statement of commitment by the  education  sector leadership will be made, ensuring concerted effort and coordination, as well as adequate resources and expertise dedicated in order to successfully shift from a system-centered to a student-centered approach.

Integration of feedback and preparation of MTR documents for submission.

 

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

 

1. Preparation + country self-assessment

2. Lead the Inclusive dialogue and draft midterm review memo

3. Facilitate the endorsement meeting

 

Deliverables/Outputs:

Payment 1: 25%

• Analysis of Partnership Compact implementation has been developed against formulated indicators,
• A snapshot report of country status is produced (iteratively done with GPE

Payment 2: 35%

• Revised Partnership Compact aligned with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2024–2029, reflecting joint priorities, financing commitments, and implementation modalities agreed through an inclusive dialogue process.
• A Midterm Review Memo is produced, summarizing progress, key achievements, challenges, and strategic adjustments, to inform evidence-based decision-making and strengthen sector coordination.

Payment 3: 40%

• Final/Endorsed Partnership Compact and Midterm Review Memo.   The final documents are expected to have integrated input from high-level meetings with Ministry of Education Leadership and the Education Sector Working Group Members, including on required concerted effort and coordination, as well as adequate resources and expertise to implement the Partnership Compact

 

Duration and Location

The consultancy will be for 4 months from December 2025 to March 2026, and the consultant will work remotely.

 

Selection Criteria

Applications shall be assessed based on their technical and financial proposals. Maximum scores for technical and financial applications will be 75% and 25%, respectively.

Successful candidates in technical evaluation will have their most competitive, all-inclusive financial proposals evaluated too.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Advanced university degree in the fields of economics, sciences of education or related fields, with focus on education policy planning, administration, leadership and M&E. PhD level in relevant field is an asset.

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in education policy, planning, administration, leadership, and M&E. Ideally, familiarity with GPE processes, particularly the Partnership Compact.

• Strong knowledge of education system.
• Expertise in development of policy documents and proven capacity to work as an expert in education policy development and provide constructive review of the needs and challenges in education sector.
• Knowledge of the region and context is an asset.
• Strong coordination skills,
• Analytical and conceptual thinking.
• Ability to work with large teams and guide policy discussions.
• Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills with stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to tight timeframe. 

 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.