Institutional or corporate contractors for the Programme Design & Results Framework Consultancy – Resilient Schools Initiative

To support UNICEF’s inception phase by leading consultations, validating the programme design, and establishing the baseline foundations for project implementation.

Institutional/Corporate Contract

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Summary:

Background: 

The Caribbean is highly vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change, with hurricanes, flooding, and extreme weather frequently disrupting education and threatening children’s safety and their continuous learning. Recent disasters, including Hurricanes Maria and Irma (2017), Lisa (2022), Beryl (2024), and Melissa (2025), have highlighted longstanding structural vulnerabilities of school infrastructure and limitations in emergency preparedness and education continuity planning. In addition to sudden-onset disasters, the region is also facing slow-onset stressors such as rising sea levels, prolonged droughts that worsen water and food insecurity and increasing temperatures that are further expanding the spread of vector-borne diseases. These events have repeatedly demonstrated not only the fragility of school buildings but also the underlying risks faced by girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized groups, whose learning, safety, and wellbeing are disproportionately affected. 

Recognizing these challenges, the Caribbean region has strengthened its collective efforts to advance education system resilience. A significant milestone in these efforts is the Caribbean Safe School Initiative (CSSI), the first regional framework dedicated to embedding resilience across education systems. Since 2017, CSSI has provided a unified platform for 19 Caribbean governments to coordinate around the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF) and drive action across its three pillars:

1. Safe learning facilities,
2. School disaster management, and
3. Risk reduction and resilience education. 

The CSSI Roadmap (2022–2030) elevated these commitments by defining regional indicators, strengthening multisector coordination, and calling for systemic uptake of standards for resilient school design, safe operations, and climate responsive teaching and learning. The 2025 Safe School Coordination Review further emphasized the need for stronger backbone support, more robust monitoring systems, and enhanced national focal point leadership to ensure consistent implementation across countries. 

Regional organizations, including Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Caribbean Community (CARICOM), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), play central roles in advancing policy harmonization, capacity building, curriculum reform, modelling resilient school infrastructure, and strengthening emergency preparedness mechanisms. These partnerships are critical to scaling good practices, sharing knowledge regionally, and leveraging joint monitoring systems that align with the CSSI Roadmap indicators. 

The Strengthening Resilient Schools and Education in the Caribbean Programme, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by UNICEF, builds on this regional momentum. Designed as a five year, multicounty initiative (2026–2030), the programme scales system-level reforms and invests in resilient schools as essential community anchors capable of protecting children’s right to safe, continuous, and quality learning, even amidst escalating climate and disaster risks. The programme adopts a systems strengthening approach that integrates resilient infrastructure, policy institutionalization, risk reduction education, school-based safety mechanisms, and regional coordination capacities. 

Implementing Countries: 7 Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, Suriname, St Vincent & the Grenadines). 

Purpose

UNICEF seeks a consultant firm or consortium, to lead and coordinate the inception phase analytical and validation processes, ensuring that programme outputs, indicators, partnerships, and implementation pathways are fully co-developed with countries, regional bodies, and partners. 

Specific Tasks & Methodology:

The consultant will apply a participatory, evidence-driven, and system-strengthening methodology to deliver all analytical, consultative, and planning outputs required for the inception phase, in alignment with UNICEF’s programme design standards and the obligations outlined in the Grant Arrangement (e.g., baseline establishment, stakeholder engagement, and results framework refinement) 

1. 1.    Country Engagement, Evidence Collection & Validation Processes

Tasks

• Conduct structured consultations with Ministries of Education, Climate Resilience/Environment across all participating countries to gather input on status of implementation of the CSSI in countries and across the region covering all three pillars and including needs/gaps, capacities, policies, and existing school safety and resilience initiatives.
• Facilitate regional dialogues with CDEMA, OECS, CARICOM, UNESCO, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNDRR, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and other partners to capture regional priorities, existing coordination frameworks, and opportunities for harmonized implementation.
• Document findings, climate resilience, and inclusion considerations as well as gender analysis are integrated into the inception phase analysis.
• Utilize the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector (GADRRRES) Safe School tool to benchmark country progress in Safe School Implementation.

Suggested Methodology

• Mixed methods of consultations (virtual, hybrid, or in person where feasible) can be used, supported by validated interview protocols.
• Apply a participatory approach ensuring contributions from government, technical agencies, civil society, youth advocates and regional bodies.
• Synthesize evidence in a structured format feeding into the Theory of Change (ToC), logframe, and baseline assessment. 

1. 2.    Theory of Change (ToC) Refinement & Results Framework Validation

Tasks

1. Validate and refine the preliminary Theory of Change, revisiting assumptions, causal pathways, risks, and enabling conditions.
2. Facilitate a regional validation meeting (virtual or hybrid) to secure consensus on the refined ToC.
3. Validate and adjust the results framework (logframe), ensuring alignment with programme outcomes, CSSI Roadmap indicators, and GAC performance indicators

Suggested Methodology

• Apply a results-based management (RBM) approach ensuring clear vertical logic (impact → outcomes → outputs).
• Use evidence from consultations, desk review, and regional frameworks to adjust indicators and strengthen measurability.
• Align indicators and definitions with UNICEF corporate guidance and GAC reporting requirements. 

1. 3.    Baseline Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting

Tasks

1. Develop a baseline assessment plan and tools aligned with the programme performance measurement framework outlined.
2. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of national policies, Education Management Information System (EMIS) data, infrastructure assessments, curriculum integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)/climate resilience, and gender inclusion practices, as they relate to elements of resilient schools or the CSSI/CSSF.
3. Compile and analyze data to produce a consolidated Baseline Data Report with disaggregation (sex, age, disability).

Suggested Methodology

• Combine secondary data review with targeted primary data obtained through country consultations.
• Use standardized UNICEF data quality and validation procedures.
• Ensure baseline indicators are fully aligned with outcomes in the validated logframe. 

1. 4.    Regional/Country Output/Outcome Mapping & Stakeholder Mapping and Roles Definition

Tasks

1. Map regional roles, responsibilities, and expected contributions across entities such as CDEMA and OECS to optimize coherence with CSSI coordination frameworks.
2. Undertake country level stakeholder analysis of all relevant partners and institutions relevant for implementing the various elements of the schools safety framework, including private sector and professional associations including their roles, highlighting any gaps in roles  
3. Produce a partner/stakeholder mapping and roles matrix defining scope, coordination lines, knowledge sharing responsibilities, and mechanisms for regional and country oversight.
4. Integrate this mapping into the workplan and ToC to ensure regional mechanisms actively support and reinforce national implementation.

Suggested Methodology

• Conduct targeted interviews with regional agencies to identify mandates, existing commitments, and alignment opportunities.
• Use system mapping tools to illustrate flows of accountability, collaboration, data, and technical support.
• Validate mapping with stakeholders during a regional review process.

1. 5.    Development of the Detailed Programme Workplan

Tasks

1. Develop the multiyear, activity-level workplan required for submission to Global Affairs Canada, including sequencing, timing, responsibilities, and country-specific interventions.
2. Integrate crosscutting requirements such as gender equality, child protection, climate environment safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation expectations, including periodic programme reviews.
3. Include risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and linkages to national and regional implementation structures. 

Suggested Methodology

• Use an adaptive systems approach, ensuring workplan feasibility, alignment with funding flows, national capacities, and regional collaboration mechanisms.
• Employ iterative co‑design with UNICEF sector leads, national focal points, and regional partners.
• Ensure the workplan satisfies the reporting and implementation requirements set out in the Grant Arrangement (e.g., annual reporting, baseline completion, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning [MEL] integration). 

6.    Beneficiary Country Inception Workshop

Tasks

• Design and Preparation of Workshop Materials - develop a detailed workshop agenda, facilitation plan, and all supporting materials (presentations, handouts, tools, and activities) aligned with the workshop objectives and target audience.
• Facilitation and Delivery of the Workshop - lead and facilitate the workshop sessions using participatory and inclusive methods, ensuring active engagement of all participants and effective achievement of the workshop objectives. 

Logframe

Ultimate Outcome:

• Improved safety and continuity of equitable education in climate-resilient learning environment for children in participating countries 

Intermediate Outcome:

• Increased application of climate resilient, inclusive and gender-responsive standards with national education planning.
• Enhanced implementation of climate resilient risk reduction measures within curricula and school operations that recognize the different needs of boys and girls.
• Improved delivery of the Caribbean Safe School Initiative in the Caribbean. 

Immediate Outcomes:

• Strengthened climate resilient and inclusive gender responsive standards and programmes incorporated into national policies, plans and budgets.
• Increased climate and hazard resilience of school infrastructure.
• Enhanced capacity for the inclusion of DRR and climate resilience into curricula and youth led initiatives that are gender responsive.
• Increased regional knowledge management and coordination of the CSSI. 

Output & Deliverables

• Inception Methodology Note – outlining approach, tools, and consultation plan. (10 days)
• Desktop Review of CSSI in the Caribbean – Outlining history, lessons learned, implementation and opportunities for improvement (30 days)
• Country Consultation Reports – summaries for each participating country. (60 days)
• Facilitation of Beneficiary Country workshop (10 days) June 22-25, 2026
• Beneficiary Countries Inception Workshop Report (20 days)
• Validated Theory of Change (ToC) – including narrative and diagram. (30 days)
• Finalized and validated Logframe – with indicators, assumptions, and targets. (30 days)
• Baseline Data Report – including disaggregated indicators and analysis. (60 days)
• Regional Output/Outcome Mapping – detailing roles of CDEMA, OECS, and partners. (30 days)
• Regional and Country level Partner/stakeholders mapping and Roles & Responsibilities Matrix. (30 days)
• Detailed Programme Workplan – activity level implementation plan for the grant inception output, inclusive of crosscutting requirements such as gender equality, child protection, climate environment safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation expectations (60 days)

*Recommended timelines are assumed to be concurrent and serve as recommendations to potential consultants. 

Reporting:

Supervision for this assignment will be provided by the UNICEF Education Specialist with support from the UNICEF ECA GAC Grant Management Committee

Expected background and Experience: 

ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The service provider should be a registered firm or a consortium of consultants with a proven track record in international development, specifically within the Caribbean context.

Experience: A minimum of 8–10 years of institutional experience in programme design, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and disaster risk reduction (DRR) in education.

Technical Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in developing Results-Based Management (RBM) frameworks, Theories of Change (ToC), and complex baseline assessments for multi-country initiatives.

Sectoral Knowledge: Strong understanding of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF) and the Caribbean Safe School Initiative (CSSI).

Donor Familiarity: Previous experience working with UNICEF and/or Global Affairs Canada (GAC), specifically regarding their reporting standards.

KEY PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

The consultancy team should ideally consist of the following profiles:

Team Leader (Senior Consultant)

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Education, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field.

Experience: At least 10 years of professional experience in leading large-scale programme design and evaluations.

Skills: Expertise in facilitating high-level stakeholder consultations and regional dialogues with inter-governmental bodies (CDEMA, OECS, CARICOM).

Leadership: Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and deliver complex outputs under tight deadlines.

Technical Specialist (Climate Resilience & DRR in Education)

Education: Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Disaster Management, or Education Policy.

Experience: Minimum of 7 years specializing in climate-resilient education systems or "Safe Schools" programming.

Skills: Familiarity with GADRRRES tools and infrastructure resilience standards in the Caribbean context.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist

Education: University degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, or Economics with a focus on quantitative/qualitative research.

Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years in designing logframes, selecting indicators, and conducting baseline surveys with disaggregated data (sex, age, disability).

Skills: Proficiency in data visualization and system mapping tools.

Competencies and Language

• Regional Knowledge: Deep understanding of the socio-political and environmental landscape of the 7 ODA-eligible Caribbean countries mentioned.
• Communication: Exceptional writing and presentation skills; ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable reports.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Dutch (for Suriname) is considered an asset.

Prior experience with Global Affairs Canada grant implementation or Global Partnership for Education Caribbean Work programme would be an asset. 

Evaluation Criteria:

The technical evaluation will be considered in accordance with the following information:

Technical Proposal: 70 points

1. 1.    Overall Response (10 points):
   1. a.    Understanding of, and responsiveness to UNICEF requirements;
   2. b.    Understanding of scope, objectives and completeness of response;
   3. c.    Overall concord between UNICEF requirements and the proposal. 

1. 2.    Company and key personnel (20 points):
   1. a.    Team leader: Relevant experience, qualifications, and position with firm;
   2. b.    Team members - Relevant experience, skills competencies;
   3. c.    Organizational experience in similar procurement. 

1. 3.    Proposed Methodology, Approach and System (40 points):
   1. a.    Quality of the proposed approach and methodology including timeliness of delivery.
   2. b.    Quality of proposed implementation plan, i.e how the bidder will undertake each task, and time-schedules.
   3. c.    Risk assessment - recognition of the risks/peripheral problems and methods to prevent and manage risks/peripheral problems.

Note: The Financial Proposals will be opened only to the companies considered technically approved (range between 49 to 70 points). 

Financial Proposal (30 points)

The Financial Proposal will be opened and tabulated within the Technical Proposal and the final range will be provided. Submission should align to deliverables. 

Recourse:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.  

Property Rights:

UNICEF shall hold all property rights, such as copyright, patents and registered trademarks, on matters directly related to, or derived from, the work carried out through this contract with UNICEF. The bidder must submit all documentation and source code, where necessary, to UNICEF upon successful launch.  

Payment Terms/Schedule:

Full payment will be made against all agreed upon deliverables after successful provision of the services and submission of final invoice to the Contract Manager.  Full payment within 30 days after completion of satisfactory performance.  UNICEF General Terms and Conditions will apply for non-satisfactory performance. 

How to Apply:  

The application package should include the following:  

1. Technical Proposal  

1. Financial Proposal* (Detailed budget stipulating all-inclusive fees) 

*Financial Proposal to be issued exclusive of Sales Tax/VAT

1. Evidence of similar services provided in the past or currently; includes a maximum of two (2) examples showcasing company expertise in the areas outlined in this terms or reference. 

Prospective institutional or corporate contractors should apply to the above email address with the subject line “Programme Design & Results Framework Consultancy – Resilient Schools Initiative ” no later than Wednesday 29th, April, 2026, 23:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time).