Moldova Education Reform Project

Project ID No. P12738

Terms of Reference for Consulting Services

to Develop a Training Plan for Continuing Training of School Director

Firm’s selection

1. Background

The Moldova Education Reform Project (MERP) aims to ensure the quality of and maintain the access to general education while supporting efficiency reforms being implemented in the education sector. The Project is a World Bank-financed Specific Investment Loan (SIL), designed to be implemented over five years, between April 2013 and August 2018. It follows a performance-based approach, and as such, its disbursements are triggered by the achievement of agreed specific results.

MERP supports the Ministry of Education (MOE) reform program by financing activities that strengthen the quality of education and lead to a more efficient education sector. Education quality initiatives included in MERP are:

 Development and implementation of a school improvement package for receiving schools based on agreed upon quality standard

Implementation of an updated modern system for training of school directors and teachers;

Use of a consolidated Education Management Information System (EMIS) system for the entire education sector which will improve policy making;

Consecutive and continued participation in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

One of the important target groups of the Project is teachers and school directors, who will benefit from increased professionalization and prestige of the teaching profession through a more modern system of staff training and, in the case of school directors, greater managerial autonomy.  In parallel, a new remuneration program will introduce measures designed to attract, develop, and retain teachers and school directors in an efficient and effective manner, while enhancing teaching quality and performance.

 The MOE has made progress in terms of the analysis of the teachers and schools directors’ situation in Moldova. First of all, the MOE has implemented an Education Management Information System (EMIS), which collects class-level administrative data on a number of education indicators, including teachers. The MOE has also developed competence standards for school directors (http://www.particip.gov.md/proiectview.php?l=ro&idd=2719).

 3. Objective of the Assignment

The main objective of the assignment is to assist the MOE in developing a training program and training materials for school directors in order to provide them with the knowledge and management skills required to perform their duties.

4. Main Duties and Scope of Work

In order to achieve the objective, the Firm shall perform the following tasks:

Task 1

Diagnostic work. 

Take stock of all the existing and required training for school directors, including preparing a matrix of all directors and the trainings they have had since January 2015 organized according to modules similar to be used in the training.Identify the missing skills and knowledge required by school directors to perform their duties in accordance with the new Education Code and six defined professional standards for school directors[1].  This work will be done through:  (i) a review of materials provided by MoE (i.e. education data, Education Code, school standards, etc.); (ii) carrying out interviews with a sample of directors from urban and rural school, schools of various sizes, lyceums, etc.; and (iii) carrying out interviews with staff from the MoE and local education authorities.  The number of people to be interviewed will need to be approved by the MoE. 

On the basis of the above work, summarize key findings and prepare a proposal of key subject areas to be included in the training.   

Task 2

Development of training content and materials.  Once MoE approves the key areas for the training, the Firm will prepare: a) a modular curriculum consisting of training modules covering key subject areas identified as priority on the basis of the above work; b) training materials and reference materials covering each of the subject areas; c) training sessions for each of the modules; and d) subject knowledge assessment at the completion of each module.

The Firm will propose an appropriate timeframe (number of days) for each training module, taking in consideration the complexity of each standard.

The Firm is expected to ensure quality of services in developing training materials (including relevant case studies, examples and references for training materials, etc.) by cooperating closely with the staff appointed by the MOE.

Task 3

Training Plan. The Firm will develop a training plan based on the information provided by the MOE (i.e. number of school directors; their work experience; training needs in line with the defined professional standards, etc). The training plan shall outline the following: (i) competencies to be obtained; (ii) content of the training; (iii) organization of the training (the delivery modes to be employed); and (iv) alternative delivery schedules. 

Task 4

Training of Trainers. Conduct a training of 20 trainers selected by the MOE to (i) test the training course and materials, and (ii) certify them to deliver future sessions of the training to school directors.  

The Firm will propose an appropriate timeframe (number of days) for each module, taking in consideration the proposed timeframe of training proposed under Task 2 plus a maximum of 2 days for planning the delivery, evaluation and reporting.

On the basis of the feedback received from these trainers, the Firm will adjust and finalize the proposed training and materials.  Additionally, the Firm will support the MOE in certifying trainers’ competency to deliver training to school directors through the design and application of a competency test. 

Task 5

Participate and assist/coach the selected trainers in one training course for the first cohort of school directors in each module, apply the competency test, and provide feedback/advice on further actions.

5. Expected outputs and time schedule

Report 1: The Firm will prepare a Report on the diagnostic work performed, including relevant conclusions and recommendations on the concept of documents to be developed under Task 2, and submit it to the MOE for review and approval within three weeks of signing the contract with MOE.

The Report will be approved by the MOE in two weeks.

Report 2: The Firm will prepare a report on the activities performed, including the actual proposed Training materials and supporting information and submit it to the MOE for review and approval in six weeks from the approval of Report 1.

The Report will be reviewed by the MOE in two weeks. Upon receiving MOE’s comments, the Firm will have one week to submit the final document.

Report 3: The Firm will prepare a report on the activities performed, including the draft Training Plan and submit it to the MOE for review and approval in three weeks from the approval of Report 2.

The Report will be reviewed by the MOE in two weeks. Upon receiving MOE’s comments, the Firm will have one week to submit the final document.

Report 4: The Firm will prepare a Report on the training of trainers performed, including test results and submit it to the MOE for review and comments in three weeks from the approval of Report 3.

Final report detailing the activities performed, including support provided to the selected trainers during the first training course with feedback/advice on further actions and final versions of the developed documents. It will be submitted to the Client for approval by September, 2016.

All deliverables shall be submitted in written and electronic format (MS Office) in Romanian.

6. Institutional arrangements

The Firm will report to the Project Executive Director and the Head of the Pre-University Division of the MOE.

The MOE will provide the Firm with all Project documents deemed necessary for assignment accomplishment. All costs associated with the training of 20 trainers will be incurred by the Firm as part of the contract (space for training of trainers, which will be held in Chisinau, transportation costs for trainees, accommodations on a need basis, meals, coffee break/lunch, printing of training materials, etc.).  

7. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to start in February 2016 and be completed by August 2016.

8. Firm’s qualification requirements

Minimum requirements for the Firm

At least 5 years of professional experience in the areas offering professional training services in basic management skills, preferably in the education sector

Proven ability and demonstrated successful experience in designing and developing tailor-made training programs - at least 3 programs in the last 3 year

Must have developed and delivered training programs for managers in the last 5 years

Minimum requirements for the team members:

Team Leader – shall be responsible for overall coordination of the team activities carried out under the assignment and will be responsible for all reports for submission

 

• Advanced degree (masters or higher desirable) in education policy, public administration, management or related field
• At least 7 years of relevant experience working in the education sector, with a focus on education/school management 
• Experience in developing and delivering tailor-made training programs and materials
• Excellent technical writing skills in Romanian
• Good knowledge of English and Russian (both written and oral) would be an advantage

Team members/Trainers 2

 

• University degree in education policy, public administration, management or related field
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in designing tailor-made training programs for adults, including training materials
• Minimum 5 years of experience in delivering training to adults
• At least 3 years of practical experience with the education sector, with a focus on education/school management
• Ability to effectively communicate in Romanian