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social development review of Commonwealth countries in the post- 2015 context


To undertake a social development review of Commonwealth countries in the post- 2015 context

Reference: STPD/PHCWG/0503
Location: Home-based
Duration: 40 person days
Closing Date: 15 Mar 2013

Project  Background

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education For All (EFA) Goals were adopted in 2000 by the UN. These, along with other Gender and Health frameworks enshrined in the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Global Health Pact, include targets that are largely to be met by 2015. As the completion date approaches, countries are assessing their progress towards achieving the goals. As these reviews take place, important information is coming to light about the issues underlying the successes and challenges in meeting the goals. It is important to understand these issues if countries are to accelerate progress and also to inform the development of the post-2015 development framework.
A number of studies of Commonwealth countries’ progress towards achieving the global goals have been undertaken. Commonwealth Education Ministers discussed issues affecting the achievement of the education goals at their triennial conference in Mauritius in August 2012, and established a working group on the post-2015 development agenda for education which has made specific recommendations. However, there is not one study which assesses progress in all Commonwealth countries in social development and which analyses the data on achievements across the Commonwealth. || Read more >>

Project Purpose

The overall aim of the social development review of Commonwealth countries in the post-2015 development context is to provide a country-by-country review of progress in achieving global goals for social development, and, having analysed this information to identify key issues, to recommend strategies for accelerating progress and to inform the development of the post-2015 development framework.

Specific objectives of the study are to: 
  • map progress in the social development indicators of the MDGs and EFA goals in Commonwealth countries;
  • analyse the information arising from the mapping exercise to identify key determinants of success and key challenges;
  • formulate recommendations for priority action areas for the Commonwealth
  • achieve the current global goals for social development;
  • frame the post-2015 development agenda;
  • shape sectoral priorities and work approaches for delivering Education, Gender and Health in line with the new Strategic Plan objectives and results.

Scope of work

The study will assess progress across all indicators contained within MDGs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and all EFA goals, in all 54 Commonwealth countries. This is a desk-based review and will entail:
  • Task 1: Literature and database review
A review of the relevant literature and databases will be undertaken to assess progress in the social development global goals for the 54 countries of the Commonwealth and to help identify issues affecting the achievement of the goals. The publications reviewed will include, but not be limited to:
  • General:
  • UNESCO EFA Global Monitoring Reports
  • UN MDG Reports
  • Education:
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2012a. 18CCEM Issues paper synopsis. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2012b. Recommendations of the Commonwealth Ministerial Working Group on the Post-2015 Development Framework for Education: Background Paper. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2012c. Recommendations of the Commonwealth Ministerial Working Group on the Post-2015 Development Framework for Education: Summary. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Menefee, T; Bray, M. 2012. Education in the Commonwealth: Towards and beyond the Internationally Agreed Goals. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Roberts, JL; Ibitoye, I. 2012. The big divide: A ten year report of small island developing states and the Millennium Development Goals. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Gender:
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2010a. Institutionalising GRB in the Commonwealth: Lessons Learned and Critical Next Steps. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2010b. Mid-term review of the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action and the Review of the Beijing Platform for Action. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2011. Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015: Mid-Term Review. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2012a. Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015: Baseline Assessment Report. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2012b. Gender Responsive Investments: Raising the Potential for Gender Equitable Access to Finance. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Commonwealth Secretariat. 2013. Gender Responsive Investment Handbook: Addressing the Barriers to Financial Access for Women’s Enterprise. Draft unpublished report.
  • Mukherjee et al. 2011. Who Cares? The Economics of Dignity. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Shivdas, M. and Coleman, S. (eds). 2010. Without Prejudice: CEDAW and the Determination of Women’s Rights in a Legal and Cultural Context. London: Commonwealth Secretariat.
  • Health:
  • Building on MDG6: HIV in the post-2015 development framework
  • Discussion paper: Health in the post-2015 Global Development Framework; UK-based global health networks’ common ‘must haves’ (November 2012).
  • Stop AIDS Alliance contribution to the post-2015 development agenda
  • The Kigali Declaration on Evidence Based Healthcare in Africa, Kigali, Rwanda, 12 December 2012
  • The World We Want. 2015. Thematic consultation: HIV, Health and the post-2015 development agenda e-discussion
  • UN System Task Team on the post-2015 UN development agenda: Health in the post-2015 UN development agenda; Thematic Think Piece (UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO)
  • WHO. 2012. Report: Informal Member State consultation on health in the post-2015 development agenda (WHO, 14 December 2012)
  • WHO Discussion paper: Positioning health in the post-2015 development agenda

  • Task 2: Analysis and identification of issues
The purpose of this task is to identify, group and analyse successful strategies and principal constraints in achieving the social development goals in the study countries from the education, gender and health perspectives. The strategies and constraints will be grouped under thematic issues that will be decided in consultation with the Secretariat. The analysis will evaluate the extent to which factors of success and challenges are context specific or common, and extrapolate general approaches which might be adapted to other contexts. The study will include strategies for adaptation as appropriate. The analysis will include an assessment of how the emerging post-2015 development framework should be shaped so as to address the issues identified in the research, and also identify entry points for Commonwealth support to countries to help achieve the goals.
  • Task 3: Development of recommendations
The purpose of this task is to synthesise the findings to make specific recommendations for accelerating progress in social development, as measured against the global goals, and to make specific proposals for the structure and content of the post-2015 development framework and how the Commonwealth Secretariat’s technical assistance programme could effectively contribute to achieving this objective. The recommendations should be mapped to the issues identified in the analysis, and should be practical, realistic and relevant. The recommendations should be accompanied by a strategy for implementing them.

Expected deliverables

  • Inception report
A report should be submitted for approval to the Commonwealth Secretariat at the end of the second week of implementation of the consultant services. The report will include:
  • work plan and time schedule describing tasks and sub-tasks to be implemented;
  • any issues related to the TOR.
  • Draft study report
The draft report is expected to be fully proof-read and include all graphics etc. intended to be included in the final copy. It is to be submitted for approval to the Commonwealth Secretariat within eight weeks of the approval of the Inception Report. The Commonwealth Secretariat will provide comments on the draft report within two weeks of receipt.
  • Final study report
The revised study report is to be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretariat within four weeks of receiving comments on the draft report. Depending on the quality of the report, the Secretariat may, within two weeks of submission, request further amendments to be made. In this eventuality, the requested amendments must be made within two weeks, after which the report must be submitted again for approval. The final study report should include an executive summary of 1-2 pages. All work submitted as a deliverable must be original work. References to other published work must be properly cited according to academic convention.
  • Policy brief
Based on the executive summary, the policy brief should outline the major findings of the study and the main recommendations, together with a brief analysis linking the recommendations to the findings. It should be 4-5 pages long, and suitable to be issued as a stand-alone document. It should be submitted at the same time as the final study report.

Duration and timeframe

The consultancy is anticipated to be for a period of 40 person days. It is expected that this would be divided so that three experts in the areas of education, gender and health respectively each contribute 10 person days, while one person manages the process and edits the material into a cohesive report over a further 10 days. The exact composition and level of input will, however, be set out by the consultants in the proposal. For the performance of the duties enumerated under the Terms of Reference, the consultant team will together be paid an all-inclusive fee as follows:
  • 25 per cent of the fee as an advance payment on signing of the contract;
  • Balance based on the approval of the final study report/policy briefing and on completion of the consultancy to a standard deemed acceptable by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Deadlines on deliverables are:

Deliverable
Deadline
Signing of Contract

Submission of Inception Report
Within 2 weeks
Approval of Inception Report
Within 2 weeks
Submission of Draft Study Report
Within 8 weeks
Approval of Draft Study Report
Within 2 weeks
Submission of Final Study Report and Policy Brief
Within 4 weeks
Approval of Final Study Report and Policy Brief

Qualifications and Work experience

The consultant(s) must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country. The consultant(s) must be able to demonstrate evidence of these skills, knowledge and experience:
  • A minimum of a degree (or equivalent experience) from an internationally recognised institution in Education/Gender/Health as appropriate, or a closely related social science, with a preference for an advanced degree.
  • Knowledge and at least 10 years’ work experience in social development research (in data collection instrument design, analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and report writing), gained in a variety of fields, levels and socio-cultural contexts, with the ability to articulate clearly what constitutes success, and to analyse critically how practices may be adapted. This knowledge would ideally have been gained through both academic research and practical experience.
  • Experience of writing similar publications combining research, analysis and report writing, and presenting the results in an accessible and engaging manner.
  • Accurate written communication skills, with the ability to write fluently and concisely in plain English.
  • Highly developed IT skills with the ability to present information clearly.
  • Ability to produce high-quality work to tight deadlines with the minimum of supervision.

Further Information