Human Development Initiatives (HDI) a leading not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation urgently requires four Media Experts/Journalists for a project on Universal Basic Education (UBE).
The media experts whose services will be required from April 24 – May 12, 2017 will be expected to gather information on stakeholders’ perception on level of awareness, participation in development and implementation of SUBEB/UBEB Action Plans in Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Federal Capital Territory.
Specifically those to be hired are expected to undertake the following under this assignment:
• Development and finalization of Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides
• Mapping of stakeholders and locations in Kano, Enugu, FCT and Lagos
• Conduct one on one interview approximately for 20 interviewees in each of the project States (Kano, Enugu, FCT and Lagos)
Submission of a CD-Video report containing brief about SUBEB Action Plan, interviews, findings and recommendations
Deliverables
The key deliverables from this assignment will be:
• Final interview guides in English
• CD-Video report capturing short brief about SUBEB Action Plan, interviews, findings and recommendations
Qualifications and Experience
• A minimum of PGD or a Degree (added advantage) in relevant field
• Strong experience and understanding of Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance (TAGG) issues in the development space
• Experience covering stories related to the development sector and specifically education will be an added advantage
• Experience in developing TAGG tools for monitoring and evaluation; engagement and public awareness.
• Previous research analysis and investigative journalism experience required
• Training and facilitation experience
• Experience in working with CSOs in Nigeria
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Willingness/ability to travel within Nigeria, as needed, to deliver on the assignment
Supervision
The Expert will report to the Executive Director (ED) of HDI or her designee. All deliverables must be approved by the ED and Project Program Officer (PPO) prior to payment of the consultant’s invoice. The Consultant will liaise with the HDI Team of Program Officers where appropriate.
Submission of Application
Interested candidates should send their applications to info@hdinigeria.org with ‘Media Experts/Journalists” as email Subject Matter, no later than Friday, April 14, 2017 before 5:00pm. Application should comprise a cover letter addressing the key skills identified and current curriculum vitae (in pdf or doc format). Applications from women, people with disabilities and young professionals are strongly encouraged. Note: only shortlisted applicants will be contacted; no follow up e-mails, please.
About HDI
Human Development Initiatives (HDI) is a leading not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation with partners across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. For over nineteen years, HDI has been working in different areas of human and social development particularly in empowerment, child rights, human rights, law, policy and governance reforms.
HDI with the support of USAID Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) has embarked on a project to improve and enhance governance and accountability for quality, effective and accessible primary and junior secondary education at the Local Government level in Nigeria with regards to Universal Basic Education (UBE) statutory and policy framework in Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The project also seeks to use advocacy and campaigns, civic engagement and public awareness to bring about the much desired change in the UBE programme.
In accordance with the Universal Basic Education Act (2004), Universal Basic Education (UBE) has the primary focus of achieving basic education for all. The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) is saddled with the responsibility of providing free and compulsory UBE for all primary and junior secondary school age children in each State of the Federation. In meeting this goal, the Federal Government provided matching grants to each state government and the FCT to through Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). As part of the requirements to draw-down these grants dedicated to supporting Nigerian states to implement the UBE programme, State Governments through SUBEB are expected to prepare and submit Action Plans to UBEC.
Action Plans are breakdown of activities for the realization of the vision and mission of the basic education board with reference to UBE. Usually contained in the SUBEBs’ Action Plans are basically UBE intervention programmes such as construction and rehabilitation of schools, provision of chairs, instructional materials, library facilities, toilet facilities, recruitment and training of teachers, advocacy and public enlightenment campaign etc, to be implemented for a period of time.
However, there are cases where provisions made in schools or activities executed were not really in tandem with the realities on ground due to lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders particularly stakeholders at the community level. For instance, a school in need of library facilities was provided sport kits. Ideally, SUBEBs in collaboration with Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) are supposed to organize town hall meetings, galvanize discussions as well as prioritize activities to be executed alongside the stakeholders which no doubt will increase their knowledge and awareness of the Action Plans, and also enhance civic participation in monitoring basic education.