TOR: Conducting School Accessibility Audits under ILMpact project in Punjab.

Introduction 

Sightsavers is implementing an FCDO-funded ILMPact Project that aims to improve access to quality learning and educational activities, particularly for girls and children with disabilities, in selected districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The project notes that the school infrastructure is not always supportive for all learners especially learners with disabilities. To improve the infrastructural accessibility of schools, accessibility audits in selected schools will be conducted followed by development of action plans using Sightsavers School Accessibility Audit Tool. The accessibility audits will be conducted in the selected 50 public sector schools in Punjab province. Based on the audit findings, action plans will be developed for every single school to improve the infrastructural accessibility.     

A consulting firm is required to provide technical support to project downstream partners, schools and school level audits teams for successful completion of audits using Sightsavers School Accessibility Audit Tool. 

Consultancy Objectives

Guided by Sightsavers’ Global Technical Lead-Inclusive Education and working closely with Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office, the consulting firm will: 

• Finalise the list of schools for accessibility audit as per criteria agreed and shared by Sightsavers.

• Develop the training materials using the already available accessibility audit tool of Sightsavers. 

• Work closely with downstream partners to develop a comprehensive work plan for accessibility audits.

• Work closely with downstream partners to develop accessibility audit teams at school level using the criteria given in the audit tool. 

• Conduct one-day training for relevant staff (20-25) of downstream partners (in Islamabad or Lahore) on audit tool and their role in the completion of audits at schools. 

• Conduct the training of audit teams (13 trainings with 25-30 participants each) using cluster approach (clubbing three-four schools) on accessibility audit tool in coordination with downstream partners.

• Ensure that downstream partners have provide support (remote and/or on site) to the schools for development and finalisation of action plans. 

• Coordinate with downstream partners to get copies of action plans developed & finalized by schools.

• Develop a detailed report on the accessibility audit including challenges and lesson learned during the audit.

• Prepare a brief analysis of findings, challenges and lesson learnt in PowerPoint and present to the relevant staff of Sightsavers.

Other key considerations

Further details

• The consulting firm will be line-managed by the Sightsavers Global Technical Lead for Education. The consulting firm will be expected to work closely and cooperatively with the country director, programme manager, and relevant programme officers in Sightsavers’ Pakistan country office.

• The consulting firm will have to manage their travel and logistics along with making arrangements for training including meal/refreshments, boarding and lodging for the participants during the training. In this context the Consulting will include such costs in the financial proposal. 

Deliverables

1. A report on the accessibility audit including challenges and lesson learned during the process and action plans of every single school audited as annex. 

2. Brief analysis of findings, challenges and lesson learnt in PowerPoint.

Schedule and method of payment 

Consultancy firm specifications 

Essential 

Familiarity with the local context (culture and languages) in Punjab.

In-depth understanding of education systems and barriers to education and learning.

Enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment for strengthening of education systems. 

Ability to work independently with minimal external supervision

Experience of designing and delivering successful trainings. 

Report-writing expertise, including the ability to write succinctly, relevantly, and clearly 

Commitment to person-centred, context-sensitive, participatory approaches to inclusive development.

Desirable 

Experience of working with development sector organisations in Pakistan.

Experience of working with children including children with disabilities and other marginalised groups.