Location: Adamawa state
Related Program Area: Education
Duration: 30 working days
Application date starts from 15th April, 2025 and end 22nd April 2025
Supervision and reporting: Executive Director of CATAI, Head of Programs, Project Coordinator M&E Manager
Background
Adamawa State’s education sector continues to face challenges relating to infrastructure, teacher quality, access to quality learning, and financing. Budget analysis is a crucial tool to assess the adequacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of public spending in the sector. As the 2024 budget implementation progresses and the 2025 budget is being finalized, it is imperative to evaluate how well the education sector budget was utilized in 2024 and how appropriate the 2025 allocations are in addressing sectoral needs.
Objective of work
The main objectives of this analysis are to:
- Evaluate the performance of the 2024 education sector budget in Adamawa State.
- Analyze the 2025 education sector budget allocation with a focus on adequacy, alignment with state priorities, and inclusivity.
- Provide recommendations to improve budget planning, execution, and accountability in the education sector.
Scope of Work:
The consultant or research team will review the 2024 education sector budget by analyzing actual releases and expenditures, assessing spending patterns of key implementing agencies, evaluating budget execution across education sub-sectors, examining the outcomes of major funded projects, and identifying implementation challenges. They will also analyze the approved 2025 education budget, focusing on its alignment with policy priorities, trends over recent years, per capita allocations in light of population growth and inflation, and the budget’s responsiveness to equity and inclusion, especially for marginalized groups. In addition, the team will engage stakeholders including MDAs, civil society, development partners, and communities to gather qualitative feedback on the transparency and responsiveness of the budgeting process.
Methodology:
The methodology will include a review of relevant documents such as budget reports and development plans, collection of official data from key government agencies, interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders including education officials and community representatives, and a comparative analysis benchmarked against national and regional standards.
Deliverables:
- The consultant shall submit an Inception Report outlining their understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, analytical framework, detailed work plan, data sources, and timelines, including a stakeholder mapping and risk assessment.
- The consultant shall design and submit data collection instruments, including budget and expenditure data templates, interview and focus group discussion guides, and stakeholder consultation checklists.
- The consultant shall provide cleaned and organized datasets and budget tables, disaggregated by education sub-sectors (e.g., basic, secondary, tertiary, and TVET), covering the 2024 budget performance and 2025 budget allocation.
- The consultant shall prepare and submit a Draft Budget Analysis Report that presents initial findings on the 2024 education budget performance and the 2025 budget allocation, including preliminary observations and draft recommendations.
- The consultant shall produce a Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Report summarizing key feedback gathered during consultations and validation workshops, and how this input was incorporated into the final analysis.
- The consultant shall deliver a comprehensive Final Budget Analysis Report, incorporating all feedback, and containing an executive summary, analysis of 2024 budget performance, review of the 2025 allocation, key findings, actionable recommendations, and relevant annexes.
- The consultant shall develop a Presentation Slide Deck summarizing the key findings, trends, and recommendations for use during stakeholder briefings and dissemination events.
- Optionally, the consultant is encouraged to produce a concise Policy Brief (2 pages) highlighting major insights and practical recommendations tailored for policymakers and stakeholders.
Commencement of the Work
After signing the Contract, the Consultant will meet with the relevant CATAI management team and the representative of relevant MDAs in the state to discuss all technical and non-technical matters for the project. At the meeting, the work plan will be presented for discussion and, if necessary, will be revised accordingly.
Project Management
- Supervision: Direct supervision is provided by the ED of CATAI, Head of Program, HR, the Project Coordinator and the M&E Manager.
- Reporting: The Consultant will be expected to provide CATAI with project updates, documents, work plans or other documentation as requested and will report to the CATAI on a weekly basis. Depending on the situation and urgency, daily updates and reporting may be required. Performance progress reports must be provided at every stage of contract payment.
- Support from CATAI: Discussions on contract work assignments and deliverables will be provided by the contract supervisor. The contract supervisors will be available, as/when required, to provide comments to submitted outputs in a timely manner.
- Quality Control: The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated by the ED, HR, Project coordinator, Representative from the Ministry of Education and MEAL Coordinator CATAI, any deviations from the initial planning and assignments shall be promptly considered and solved; any conditions beyond the responsibility of the Contractor shall be brought to the attention of CATAI’s Representative.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
- Master’s degree or higher in education, public policy, economics, development studies, or a related field.
- Extensive experience in education budget analysis, public financial management, and policy evaluation.
- A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in research, budget analysis, or monitoring and evaluation within the education or public sector.
- Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations using OECD/DAC criteria and developing relevant tools and methodologies.
- Strong knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools, statistical software, and other computer-based programs.
- Proven track record of delivering high-quality analytical reports and actionable recommendations.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills in English.
- Familiarity with the education landscape, budgeting processes, and institutional frameworks in Adamawa State and Nigeria.
- Significant experience in education policy analysis, sector planning, and development.
Reporting:
The consultant will report to the above mentioned and provide regular updates on progress, challenges, and key findings throughout the consultancy period.
Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on the consultant’s qualifications, relevant experience, methodology, and proposed budget.
Submission of Proposals:
Interested consultants should submit their proposals, including a detailed work plan, methodology, CV, and budget, to recruitment@cataing.org cc: salome@cataing.org, chibuikem@cataing.org
Right to Reject:
The Center for Advocacy Transparency and accountability Initiative (CATAI) reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received without providing any reason.
Confidentiality:
The consultant is required to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information and data obtained during the consultancy.
This TOR is subject to amendment or modification as deemed necessary by the contracting authority.
Target Participants:
Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, EiEWG partners and EBMAG Members.