REFAC, the Rwanda Education for All Coalition, is a coalition of civil society organizations in Rwanda that works to promote quality basic education for all. The organization advocates for education rights, engages in policy advocacy through research and workshops, and brings together NGOs, media, researchers, and activists to address challenges in the education sector.

Website: https://www.refac.rw/index.html

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO HIRE A FACILITATOR FOR CONDUCTING RAPID ASSESSMENT ON CHALLENGES, GAPS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND READINESS FOR DECENTRALIZING TEACHERS’ RECRUITMENT AND TRANSFER FUNCTIONS IN RWANDA

1. Background

The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), has undertaken various reforms aimed at improving education service delivery, accountability, and efficiency within the education sector. One of the proposed reforms under consideration is the decentralization of teacher recruitment and transfer functions to district and school levels.

Currently, teacher recruitment and transfers services are managed at the central level, which has presented both strengths and challenges in terms of timeliness, equity, and responsiveness to local needs. As part of strengthening local governance and education service delivery, REFAC Under the project “Strengthening Local Education Governance and CSO Participation for Enhanced Service Delivery”, funded by FCDO through Trocaire, seeks to hire a facilitator to assess the negative implications of not decentralizing the services (teacher recruitment and transfers), strengths and opportunities at decentralized entities to take over services, as well as gaps and challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure effective service delivery in teacher recruitment and transfers by districts.

This rapid assessment will identify the challenges, gaps, opportunities, and overall readiness of districts and schools to manage teacher recruitment and transfers effectively, as well as the readiness of the national level to decentralize the services.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The overall purpose of the rapid assessment is to analyse the implications the current system of teacher recruitment and transfers and assess the readiness and challenges at national and decentralized levels. As well as capacity gap/needs of decentralized entities (districts and schools) to assume these responsibilities.

3. Specific Objectives

The assessment seeks to:

  1. Understand the perceptions of education stakeholders at the national and decentralized level on the current teacher recruitment and transfer mechanisms, processes, and institutional arrangements and their implications on the quality of education
  2. Identify challenges and barriers that push the central level to hold the decentralization of the teacher recruitment and transfers services
  3. Analyze strengths, opportunities, challenges and weaknesses of the decentralized entities in regard to delivering services of teacher recruitment and transfers
  4.  Identify priorities for capacity strengthening of decentralized entities to be able to effectively deliver services of teacher recruitment and transfers and how they plan to address them
  5. Formulate actionable recommendations to inform policy decisions and implementation strategies for decentralizing these services.

4. Scope of Work

The facilitator/assessment team will:

  1. Review the relevant national policy and legal framework on decentralization, education and staff recruitment and transfers
  2. Collect the perceptions of stakeholders at central and decentralization on the costs and benefits of not decentralizing teacher recruitment and transfers
  3. Do the SWOT analysis at decentralized level to determine the readiness of Districts to take over services of teacher recruitment and transfers.
  4. Do the risk analysis and risk mitigation about the decentralization of services of teacher recruitment and transfers.
  5. Produce a comprehensive report summarizing findings, analysis, and practical recommendations.
  6. Produce a two-pager paper brief for the use in advocacy

5. Methodology

The assessment will apply a mixed-methods approach, including:

    • Desk Review: Analysis of policies, laws, and operational guidelines related to teacher decentralization, staff/teacher recruitment and management.
    • Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): With officials from MINEDUC, REB/NESA, MINALOC, MIFOTRA, districts, and schools.
    • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): With relevant stakeholders including teachers, head teachers, sector education officers and district authorities.
    • Field Visits: To selected districts and schools to gather first-hand insights.
    • Data Analysis: Thematic and comparative analysis to identify key trends, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

6. Expected Deliverables

The consultant/assessment team will deliver:

  • Inception Report: Outlining methodology, tools, and detailed work plan.
  • Draft Assessment Report: presenting preliminary findings, analysis, and recommendations.
  • Validation Workshop: presentation of key findings to stakeholders for feedback.
  • Final Assessment Report: incorporating feedback and including practical recommendations for policy and implementation.
  • A two-pager paper brief

7. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to last 30 days, including preparation, delivery, and report writing.

  • Inception and tool development3 days
  • Desk review 5 days
  • Field data collection10 days
  • Data analysis and draft reporting5 days
  • Validation and finalization7 days

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

The facilitator or team should possess:

Advanced degree in Education, Public Administration, Human Resource Management, or related field.

Minimum of 5 years of experience in education policy analysis, decentralization, or institutional capacity assessments.

Proven experience working with government institutions, especially MINEDUC, REB, or local government entities.

Strong analytical, facilitation, and report writing skills.

Experience in conducting studies in governance

Proof of a good understanding of decentralization

Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda.

9. Reporting and Supervision

The facilitator will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the REFAC National Coordinator and under daily coordination of the TWIYUBAKIRE IMIYOBORERE Y’UBUREZI Project Manager to ensure quality delivery and documentation of results.

10. Logistics and Payment

The organization will cover logistical expenses related to venue, training materials, and participant refreshments. Payment for a facilitator will be made in three installments:30% upon approval of the inception report, 40% upon submission of the draft report and 30% upon submission and acceptance of the final report.

11. Ethical Considerations

The assessment will be conducted in adherence to ethical standards, ensuring:

  • Informed consent from participants,
  • Confidentiality and privacy of information,
  • Non-discrimination and respect for participants’ rights,
  • Compliance with relevant national and institutional research ethics guidelines.
  • Signing the code of conduct in respect of REFAC safeguarding policy

12. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

  • A technical proposal outlining their understanding of the assignment and methodology.
  • A financial proposal detailing total cost.
  • A CV highlighting relevant experience.
  • Samples of previous similar assessment will be an added advantage.

13. Submission Detail

Interested candidates/firms are required to submit a well-sealed envelope of the technical and financial proposals addressed to the National Coordinator should be dropped at REFAC’s offices located at Remera KG 175, ST 44, near Polyfam Clinic not later than 19th November 2025 or email at: info@refac.rw  and copy at rukabu@gmail.com. Or contact Tel: 0785486251.