Consultant for Process Documentation of School Education Sector Plan (SESP) Formulation

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant for Process Documentation of School Education Sector Plan (SESP) Formulation in Madhesh Province, Nepal

People Promote Center (PPC), Dhanusha, is a nonprofit, non-governmental, and non-political humanitarian and development organization working across all eight districts of Madhesh Province. In partnership with UNICEF Nepal, PPC is implementing the project “Strengthening Local Government Capacity to Develop School Education Sector Plans and Budgets to Ensure Quality Learning in Madhesh Province.” We are seeking a qualified Consultant to undertake process documentation of the formulation of Local Government School Education Sector Plan (SESP). The position details are outlined below: 

Background

Nepal’s School Education Sector Plan (SESP, 2022–2032) provides a long-term roadmap for the education system within the federal structure established by the 2015 Constitution. With education functions decentralized to Local Governments (LGs), they now hold the mandate and resources to design and implement locally responsive education plans aligned with national priorities.

Effective SESP implementation requires strong inter-governmental coordination across federal, provincial, and local levels. Joint Financing Partners (JFPs), including UNICEF and the EU, are supporting the Government of Nepal to strengthen governance, accountability, and school management for resilient and inclusive education systems.

Madhesh Province is a critical test case, facing high out-of-school rates, inequitable access, and poor learning outcomes, but also opportunities to leverage decentralization. In partnership with UNICEF and the People Promote Center (PPC), 70 of 71 LGs in the province have developed and endorsed Local Education Plans (LEPs) through capacity building, technical workshops, stakeholder consultations, and participatory decision-making, fostering local ownership and inclusiveness.

Rationale

Localizing the SESP in Madhesh Province highlights both the promise and the challenges of implementing a national education vision under federalism. While decentralization empowers LGs to shape education policies and budgets to local needs, disparities in capacity and resources limit effective delivery. Sustained institutional strengthening is needed for LGs to contextualize, operate, and monitor the LEP in line with federal and provincial frameworks. Documenting Madhesh Province’s LEP experience serves three purposes:

1. Knowledge and Learning – Capture processes, methodologies, and innovations to provide lessons and replicable models for other provinces and LGs.
2. Evidence for Policy and Advocacy – Generate evidence on good practices and challenges to guide governments and partners in strengthening collaboration, accountability, and capacity-building.
3. Equity and Resilience – Highlight inclusive, participatory approaches that prioritize marginalized children and build resilient education systems in times of crisis.

Aligned with UNICEF’s Country Programme (2023–2027) and supported by the EU, this documentation is a key knowledge product for system strengthening, future planning, and investing in human capital to leverage Nepal’s demographic opportunity. 

Objectives: 

Overall Objective: To document the LEP formulation process in Madhesh Province, focusing on approaches, innovations, challenges, lessons, and good practices to guide future education planning in Nepal and beyond.

Specific Objectives: Provide a step-by-step account of LEP development in 71 LGs; Record the roles of LGs, PPC, UNICEF, and education committees; Highlight success stories, good practices, and inclusive, ownership-driven approaches; Identify challenges and lessons to inform future planning and Publish a peer-reviewed article based on evidence and case studies.

Scope of Work

Review existing documents (project reports, workshop proceedings, training materials, endorsed LEPs).

Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) with municipal leaders, education officers, teachers, PPC staff, UNICEF staff, other development partners supporting LEP development in Madhesh, local partner representatives in the other three provinces where LGs are supported to develop their LEP with support from the EU-UNICEF programme, and community representatives.

Facilitate focus group discussions (FGDs) in selected municipalities, ensuring voices of education committees and marginalized groups are included.

Document case studies and success stories, including direct testimonies from mayors, deputy mayors, teachers, parents, and education officials.

Synthesize lessons learned and provide recommendations for strengthening education sector planning.

Produce a comprehensive process documentation report with visuals, annexes, and case studies.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception Report (within one week): methodology, work plan, data collection tools.
• Draft Process Documentation Report: process steps, findings, good practices, case studies, challenges, and lessons.
• Final Process Documentation Report (40–50 pages, professionally edited): incorporating feedback from UNICEF, PPC, and stakeholders.
• Executive Summary and Abstract (5 pages).
• At least 5 case studies/testimonies from different municipalities.
• Journal article suitable for publication in a recognized peer-reviewed journal.
• Annexes: tools, sample SESP, reference materials.

Duration

The assignment will be completed within 30 working days over a period of 6–8 weeks, including field visits, consultations, drafting, and finalization.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in education, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in education sector planning, governance, or documentation.
• Proven expertise in qualitative research, documentation, and high-quality report writing.
• Prior experience working with local governments and development partners in Nepal.
• Strong analytical and communication skills in English and Nepali (knowledge of Maithili/Bhojpuri is an asset).
• Ability to present complex processes in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner.

Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of PPC’s Executive Director, with technical oversight from UNICEF Nepal (Madhesh Province Office). Regular progress check-ins will be scheduled.

Payment Modality

• 10% upon submission and approval of Inception Report.
• 50% upon submission of Draft Report.
• 40% upon submission and approval of Final Report.

Ethical Considerations

The consultant must ensure that all documentation activities adhere to UNICEF’s ethical standards, including:

• Informed consent.
• Confidentiality and data protection.
• Sensitivity to children, women, and marginalized groups.

Selection Process:

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.  

Benefits:

As per Organization’s rules and regulation and donor's agreement.

Application Process: 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application letter along with a CV (maximum 3 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 1 page) no later than 5 October 2025, 5:00 PM. Applications can be sent via email to  ppc2063@gmail.com or submitted in person at the PPC office, Janakpur, during office hours. Please ensure that the application letter clearly mentions the position applied for in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity and Safeguarding:

PPC upholds child rights and strictly enforces its Child Protection Policy. The selected candidate will also be subject to the organization’s PSEA (Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) Policy. PPC is an equal opportunity employer and follows a merit-based selection process. PPC reserves the right to conduct examinations, cancel, or make final decisions regarding the selection of candidates. Women and individuals from ethnic or marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.