Description

Overview Consultant Title: Lifelong Learning Research Consultant Period of Performance: on/about November 11 – 30, 2024 Contract Type: Fixed Price for Completion of Work Reports to: Chief of Party Location: Manila, Philippines Applicant Type: Philippine nationals About the Organization RTI International / Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is both a global research institute and a leading international development organization. We combine these powerful capabilities with those of our partners to co-create smart, shared solutions for a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient world. Based in North Carolina, USA, RTI is one of USAID’s top implementing partners. A commitment to making meaningful change energizes our 6,000 staff who deliver results across eight international development sectors and in more than 80 countries. RTI’s Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI’s experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world. The RTI Center for Governance promotes strong, stable societies by empowering people and strengthening institutions. Building on RTI’s decades-long legacy of leading governance projects around the world, the Center works to increase transparency and accountability, mitigate corruption, and help government actors to better deliver on the needs of citizens. Boasting a global reach, the RTI Center for Governance includes partners, expertise, and learning from major initiatives spanning sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. The Center leverages RTI’s longstanding local partnerships to bring together governments, civil society, the private sector, and communities to define problems and jointly create sustainable solutions in countries around the world. Application Instructions If interested, please follow the link to the RTI portal. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill positions, only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on next steps. The application deadline 29 October 2024. Project Description USAID’s U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program aims to strengthen the Philippine higher education system to support broad-based and inclusive growth. UPSKILL does this by strengthening the innovation capacities and workforce development functions of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) through faculty development, curriculum improvements, and engagement with industry and international partners, as well as overall improvements in HEI management and administration. UPSKILL also supports an enabling regulatory and policy environment to improve governance in the sector and provide convergence platforms for stakeholders to work together in achieving shared development goals. Assignment Description RTI International (RTI) is hiring a short-term Consultant for USAID’s UPSKILL Program. The Consultant will be responsible for conducting research on lifelong learning and microcredentials from higher education institutions (HEI) who indicated that they offer such programs. This research output will be shared with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and will form part of the recommendation of the Technical Working Group on Lifelong Learning in developing a lifelong learning strategy. The research study is expected to answer the following illustrative research questions: What models of lifelong learning and microcredentials are being offered by HEIs? How do they contribute in ensuring a future-ready workforce and at the same time address evolving demands from industries? What quality assurance mechanisms are employed to ensure recognition and portability of qualifications from microcredentials and lifelong learning initiatives from HEIs and other stakeholders? What are international best practices and innovations in microcredentials and lifelolng learning that relate specifically to the education sector that could be adopted in the Philippines? Which policies and practices have to be reviewed and amended to enable more effective and efficient delivery? Responsibilities The Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks: Analyze the results of the survey. This will entail comparing and analyzing the results of 2 surveys (industry and HEIs). Draw conclusions and ways forward. The Consultant is expected to offer his/her insights, conclusions and ways forward based on the survey results that will be shared by RTI. Develop a research report outline. A one- to two-page research outline shall be submitted by the Consultant. Complete a final research report. The final report will answer all agreed upon research questions. The report will be approximately 10-15 pages (font size 12, single space). The Consultant will incorporate UPSKILL feedback into the report before it is accepted. Expected Deliverables and Payment Structure: The Consultant will complete and be paid for the following deliverables: No. Deliverable Name Description Estimated Due Date 1 Research Report Outline High level outline of the research report content including list of annexes 2 days from award 2 Initial Report Draft report that addresses research questions and includes agreed upon sections and annexes 2 days after approval of outline 3 Final report Final report that incorporates feedback from UPSKILL and other parties 2 days after the submission of reviewed draft UPSKILL anticipates that the consultant contract will be fixed price and that the Consultant will be paid for successful completion and acceptance of deliverables. The Consultant should include all costs in the total fixed price proposed for the assignment. Qualifications Preferably a master’s degree holder in education, educational technology and related fields or Bachelor’s degree with at least 3-5 years of work experience in educational research and research management for 3-5 years. Demonstrated ability to work with CHED, other government agencies, higher education institutions, and other lifelong learning providers in the country. Expertise in lifelong learning, open education or adult education. Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional working relationships with CHED and Higher Education Officials and HEIs Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills. Outstanding research, coordination, and facilitation skills. High proficiency in English is required. Ability to work throughout the Philippines. This position is exclusively open for Philippine applicants

Responsibilities

The Consultant is expected to perform the following tasks: Analyze the results of the survey. This will entail comparing and analyzing the results of 2 surveys (industry and HEIs). Draw conclusions and ways forward. The Consultant is expected to offer his/her insights, conclusions and ways forward based on the survey results that will be shared by RTI. Develop a research report outline. A one- to two-page research outline shall be submitted by the Consultant. Complete a final research report. The final report will answer all agreed upon research questions. The report will be approximately 10-15 pages (font size 12, single space). The Consultant will incorporate UPSKILL feedback into the report before it is accepted. Expected Deliverables and Payment Structure: The Consultant will complete and be paid for the following deliverables: No. Deliverable Name Description Estimated Due Date 1 Research Report Outline High level outline of the research report content including list of annexes 2 days from award 2 Initial Report Draft report that addresses research questions and includes agreed upon sections and annexes 2 days after approval of outline 3 Final report Final report that incorporates feedback from UPSKILL and other parties 2 days after the submission of reviewed draft UPSKILL anticipates that the consultant contract will be fixed price and that the Consultant will be paid for successful completion and acceptance of deliverables. The Consultant should include all costs in the total fixed price proposed for the assignment

Qualification

Preferably a master’s degree holder in education, educational technology and related fields or Bachelor’s degree with at least 3-5 years of work experience in educational research and research management for 3-5 years. Demonstrated ability to work with CHED, other government agencies, higher education institutions, and other lifelong learning providers in the country. Expertise in lifelong learning, open education or adult education. Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional working relationships with CHED and Higher Education Officials and HEIs Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills. Outstanding research, coordination, and facilitation skills. High proficiency in English is required. Ability to work throughout the Philippines. This position is exclusively open for Philippine applicants