Tenders are invited for RTIA - Education Policies and Development of an HR Policy-Gambia - International (M/W). Closing Date: 28 Dec 2025 Type: Consultancy BACKGROUND The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) in the Gambia sent a request for technical assistance to the RTIA Facility in April 2025. Following the approval of the request, two experts from the RTIA Facility went to Banjul in October 2025 to co-develop the Country Action Plan (CAP) with directors and technicians of the MoBSE, and representatives of the teachers unions and education partners. During this mission, the technical areas and the themes presented in the request were adjusted. The CAP components cover both teachers governance and teachers education and professional development. The development of an HR policy, the operationalization of the teacher policy and support provided to the implementation of the HR platform will contribute to enhancing transparency and effectiveness of the teaching force management. A STEAM component, including the development of a policy and a teacher competency framework, intends to anchor 21st century skills in the whole education cycle. Finally, the operationalization of the teacher competency framework and the revision of a mentoring program for newly qualified teachers aim at facilitating the transition between pre-service and in-service, and articulating teachers professional development and career development around the acquisition of core competencies. This process of experts recruitment starts after the CAP has been validated by the MoBSE and the Facility management. The Gambias priority reform: Accessible, Equitable, and Inclusive Foundational Learning, aims at achieving high learning and skills outcomes, with more than 80 percent of the children achieving the minimum learning competencies and standards in line with the National Education Policy 2016 2030. Recruitment of qualified teachers and in-service training and teacher professional development are core components of the reform. As such, the CAP activities are aligned with national priorities in the education sector, and the technical assistance (TA) will contribute to several ESSP (Education Sector Strategic Plan) 2016-2030 indicator. The components on teachers governance (HR policy and operationalization of the teacher policy) intend to foster enhanced planning and management of human resources and will directly contribute to the ESSP Result area 4, Sector management program: Effective planning, development and management of human resources ensured . It will specifically address #14: Develop and implement an operational policy on HR. ASSIGNMENT Consultations in country during the CAP development, both with MoBSE and international partners, highlighted the necessity to undertake a policy situational analysis, mainly because of a lack of visibility on existing policy documents, their status, their level of implementation and their relevance in line with the education reform. The main objective of this activity is to nurture the development of the HR policy, but also to identify potential duplications, build on what is already existing and ensure that the different policy documents are aligned and relevant to the education reform implementation. The key action, identified by MoBSE as their first priority, is the co-development of an HR policy. The process intends to be participatory, and to include the relevant directions, partners, and teachers union representatives. The same involvement will take place for co-developing the operationalization plan, which will include roles and responsibilities, sensitization and communication plans, monitoring tools, and, if needed, capacity building modules for implementers. A team of international and national experts will work together to bring the relevant expertise in the areas of education policy analysis and development, in HR policy development (for the education sector) and in policy monitoring and evaluation. If the main outcome of this consultancy is the policy itself, its development process should be designed carefully, to ensure relevance and ownership of national stakeholders. Implementation considerations should be embedded in this process from the very beginning, and a realistic implementation plan developed. As such, the mission aims at providing technical assistance for both · Conducting an analysis of existing education policies (with a focus on teachers) · The development of an HR policy · And the development of the HR policys implementation plan DELIVERABLES The main deliverables for this consultancy include: I. Situational analysis of education policies (desk review) international expert Deliverable 1 : Short inception report This inception report includes an outline of the work to be carried out for this analysis (no longer than 2 pages). Deliverable 2 : Presentation PP to the core technical group This presentation will enable the core group to confirm the list of policies and draft policies identified, and to provide inputs for the recommendations to be in the report. Deliverable 3 : Study report The report will include an analysis of the education policies (related to teachers): alignment with the education reform, potential duplications, status (validated or not, implemented or not), potential gaps and recommendations for the development of the HR policy and the review of the teacher policy. II. Development of an HR policy and its implementation plan international and national experts Deliverable 4 : Inception report lead: international expert This inception report includes an outline of the work to be carried out for the development of the HR policy and its implementation plan (no longer than 3-4 pages). The international expert will agree with the national expert on respective tasks and responsibilities to be included in this report. Deliverable 5 : Report on best practices (benchmark) lead: international expert This report is based on a benchmark of education HR policies in Africa and globally, it will highlight best practices and include recommendations for the development of MoBSE HR policy. Deliverable 6 : Technical note and PP presentation to the core technical group (methodology and format) lead: international expert This presentation aims for the core group to validate the methodology (process) for the development of the HR policy, as well as the proposed policy format. Deliverable 7 : HR policy lead: international expert This is the key deliverable it might need several drafts. The process (defined in the technical note) is based on working sessions with the relevant stakeholders (core technical group identified with MoBSE). The official validation of the HR policy is the responsibility of MoBSE focal points. Deliverable 8 : Operationalization plan co-leads: international and national experts Once the HR policy validated, the operationalization plan co-developed with the core technical group will include roles and responsibilities in the implementation, a communication strategy, a timeframe, a monitoring plan, tools for an annual review. Each expert will lead on the components corresponding to his/her areas of expertise. Deliverable 9 : Sensitization/capacity building modules - co-leads: international and national experts Based on the operationalization plan, these modules might target different education stakeholders, with different objectives: information/awareness or capacity building. The national expert will lead on the monitoring and evaluation component. Deliverable 10: Technical memo documenting the HR policy development process lead: international expert This memo is an internal document for learning purposes for the Facility and MoBSE. Deliverable 11: Mission final report (for the Facility) both experts DURATION OF THE MISSION The consultancy is planned to take place between January and April 2026 for a total number of 5 days Preparation · International expert: 2 days National expert: 1 day On-site work · International expert: 25 days National expert: 9 days Distance work (including drafting of deliverables) · International expert: 28 days National expert: 0 days Total · International expert: 55 days National expert: 10 days GENERAL APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY The general approach and methodology described below are indicative and non-exclusive. The expert must develop the methodology he/she intends to use in his/her application. General approach : The international expert will work closely with the MoBSE and a national expert. Consultation and coordination between the two experts will be expected throughout the consultancy, to define the division of tasks, harmonize schedules and joint interaction with national counterparts in the MoBSE, decentralized directors, teachers unions and education partners. If collaboration and co-development are expected for producing the different deliverables, it is suggested that each expert takes the lead on specific components building on their expertise and previous experience. A participatory approach with the MoBSE partners is essential, to ensure that what is proposed is in line with their needs. They will be the ones guiding the process, identifying and involving relevant stakeholders, and taking responsibility for the validation processes. Methodology : To carry out this work, the expert sought must: · Carry out a desk review of the main policy documents of the Gambian education system · Participate in a scoping meeting with the MoBSE focal points, the national expert and the Facility. Following this meeting, the international expert will propose a brief note describing the work to be carried out, including the methodology and an updated timetable taking into account logistical constraints Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4191697/rtia-education-policies-and-development-hr-policy-gambia-international-mw
