Expression of Interest (EOI) for Support to Schools for Formulation of SIP (School Improvement Plan) Consultancy

Expression of Interest (EOI) for Support to Schools for Formulation of SIP (School Improvement Plan) Consultancy

1.     dZi Foundation.

dZi Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization working with rural communities in Nepal to achieve prosperity by eliminating barriers to basic needs, fostering opportunities for sustainable livelihood, and building their capacity to catalyze transformational change. dZi partners with communities for three multi-year stages to support complementary health, education, and livelihood programs that unlock local opportunities, build more unified communities, and create lasting solutions to complex local challenges. dZi provides communities with the skills and resources needed to design and implement these community-led projects.

2.     Call for Consultancy:

dZi Foundation/ Nepal aims to improve the institutional capacity and performance of the project schools in the Kepilashgadhi & Aiselukharka RM of Khotang, district in Koshi Province. The EOI is to hire the expertise of a Nepalese consultancy firm to formulate the five-year School Improvement Plan (SIP) for 11 project Schools. 

3.     Specific objectives:

• The major objective of this consultancy service is to formulate SIP to ensure better schools, better teaching, and better learning to improve the quality of education.

4.     Activities:

Under the contractual obligation of the dZi Foundation/Nepal, and coordination of the respective partner NGOs, the consultant is expected to carry out the following key activities, but not limited to:

• In collaboration with the Senior Program Officer-Education at dZi and Education Officers from our partner NGOs, the consultant develops the schedule for a 2-day workshop to prepare for the School Improvement Plan (SIP) in schools.
• The consultant conducts a 2-day workshops in each project school with the School Improvement Plan formulation task force, prepares and submit the inception report following the guidelines outlined in the government’s document to support preparation of SIP 2080.
• The consultant reviews the previous year's SIPs of project schools and provides support in prioritizing the schools' needs.
• It is important for the consultants to ensure that the SIPs of the schools are in alignment with the policies, programs, and priorities established by the federal, provincial, and local governments.
• The consultants, in collaboration with the SIP task force, and with their input formulate the updated five-year SIPs for the schools focusing on new priorities and submit the SIP to the School Management Committee (SMC) for approval. Once approved by the SMC, the consultant needs to submit a copy of the approved SIP to the dZi Foundation /Nepal. 

5.     Deliverables

• A detailed SIP workshop content, 
• Presentation slides, 
• Workshop report
• Final /approved SIP of project schools

6.     Duration of the Consultancy

The duration of the consultancy is May 14 to June 14, 2024. Preference would be given to those with a proven track record of completing the assignment within tight deadlines and without compromising the quality of deliverables.

7.     Minimum Qualification of the Consultant/s

• Should have completed a bachelor’s degree in education.
• At least 5 years of professional experience of similar work.
• In-depth knowledge of the federal, provincial, and local governments policies, programs, and priorities of education is an added advantage.
• Good presentations skills, sound interpersonal communication, political sensitivity, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Good at assessing needs during the workshop, with sound analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good at engaging as a team player and skilled as a training facilitator.

8.     Evaluation Factors

• Technical approach (35 points) – understanding of the approach and proposed methodologies to carry out the assignment in line with the described activities and deliverables. 
• Professional experience of the team (15 points) – educational and professional credentials of the team to be engaged in the assignment. Prior experience working in the remote areas in Koshi Province in general and proposed districts in particular will be preferred. 
• Experience of the firm/organization (20 points) – proven experience of the firm/organization in carrying out similar assignments in the past, client’s satisfaction, and physical and human resources to ensure smooth delivery of the assignment. Prior experience working in the remote areas in Koshi Province in general and proposed districts in particular will be preferred. 
• Costing (30 points) – cost-effectiveness, relevancy, and alignment of the estimated cost with technical deliverables, as outlined in the EOI and in the proposal. 

9.     Submission of EOI 

Interested Nepalese firms/organizations meeting the above qualifications can submit their EOI with (1) a cover page, (2) a brief technical and financial proposal, not more than 5 pages, (3) updated CVs of the consultant/s including PAN/VAT certificate, (4) evidence of similar assignment, at least five, and (5) company profile with latest tax clearance and certificate. Any question/s about the EOI must be submitted by May 5, 2024, to procurement.np@dzi.org .

Please submit your EOI and required documents electronically to procurement.np@dzi.org by/before May 7, 2024, with EOI for Support to School for SIP Formulate in the subject line. Please ensure that the attachment should not be larger than 10 MB. Telephone inquiries shall not be entertained. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for further process. dZi will make one or more awards to carry out the whole or part of the assignment as deemed necessary. 

dZi reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason whatsoever.