Education Technical Expert in Senegal
Schedule 1 – Scope of Work
Start date: January 13th, 2025
Tentative duration: From January 2025 to June 2025
Location: Senegal
About MAGENTA
MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes to design solutions for relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and The Caribbean using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation. Our clients include UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.
Background
In Senegal, children are first introduced to French when they enter school, as the curriculum is predominantly taught in this language. Research from UNESCO, UNICEF, and USAID highlights that integrating home languages alongside French in education significantly enhances cognitive development, academic success, and long-term opportunities. Teaching in national languages enables children to grasp concepts more effectively, relate new information to their cultural context, and build a solid foundation for acquiring additional languages and skills.
However, progress toward implementing mother-tongue-based bilingual education has been limited due to obstacles such as curriculum restructuring, the development of dual-language materials, and the need for teacher training. Hence, the pace of transitioning to such systems remains comparatively slow. In Senegal, three major donors are addressing this challenge collaboratively: the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, and the World Bank. Each donor is at a different stage in their efforts, with USAID already having designed campaign materials and commenced roll-out activities in selected districts.
Given its expertise in Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) and extensive experience in conducting behavioural research, MAGENTA has been selected to lead this study funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It will primarily focus on building foundational research in the districts of Thiès, Ziguinchor, and Sédhiou. Additionally, it will include an evaluative component to understand how communities in USAID-supported districts (7) are responding to the roll-out of bilingual education. The World Bank is expected to advance its contributions following these initial efforts.
Objectives
To inform the landscape for transitioning to bi-lingual (national languages and French) education amongst children aged 5-10 in Senegal by bringing the voices of parents, educators, and regional education authorities to the forefront. This will be achieved through two main data points:
- A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study that seeks to understand what shapes their views on bilingual education, identify the influencers they listen to, determine which messages will be most effective, and explore how advocacy efforts can better engage these stakeholders to support the transition to a bilingual primary school education
- Evaluation: Gaining real time feedback on roll out activities already happening within other districts within Senegal.
Responsibilities and Terms of Reference
To support MAGENTA in its research efforts, we are seeking a technical expert in education and language, ideally with experience in Senegal or West Africa. The selected contractor will play a key role in ensuring the quality, contextual relevance, and success of the research process. The specific responsibilities include:
Literature Review (approximatively 2 days)
- Conduct a comprehensive literature review (focused on grey literature) to develop an in-depth understanding of the context of bilingual education in Senegal.
- Identify and analyse key factors that contribute to optimal learning experiences for children, focusing on the transition from home to school, with the goal of informing the development of effective educational tools.
- The literature review will be delivered as a Word document, with a maximum length of 5 pages, and will be written in both French and English.
Deliverable 1: Literature Review
Contribution to the Development and Approval of Research Tools (approx. 6 to 8 days)
- Participate in online brainstorming sessions to contribute to the design and refinement of research tools as needed.
- Review research tools and provide feedback to ensure their effectiveness and relevance.
- Ensure that the tools are contextually appropriate and consistent with local educational practices.
- Support the project team in complying with Ethical Review Board (ERB) procedures.
- Advise the team on strategies to efficiently obtain necessary authorizations from relevant authorities.
Deliverable 2: Research Protocol Approved by authorities/ERB
Support in Research Findings Analysis and Reporting (approx. 10 to 12 days)
- Contribute to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of research findings for both the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Study and the Evaluation Study, including:
- Analysing complex Excel datasets to extract key insights.
- Assist the project team in synthesizing and reporting data analysis into a clear, concise, and well-structured report.
- More specifically, provide guidance on addressing common concerns identified as barriers to bi-lingual education through research
- Put forward recommendations for the promotion of bi-lingual education in Senegal
Deliverable 3: Data Analysis and Recommendations on Overcoming Barriers to Bi-lingual Education
Payment schedule:
Deliverable
%
Envisaged deadline
Literature Review in French and English (about 5-pages)
20%
January 30th 2025
Research Protocol Approved by authorities/ERB
35%
April 21st 2025
Data Analysis and Recommendations on Overcoming Barriers to Bi-lingual Education
45%
August 14th 2025
Technical Requirements
- University Degree in education, linguistics, social sciences, or another relevant field.
- Proven experience in conducting literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative research, and data analysis.
- Experience in bilingual or national language education in Senegal, West Africa, or a similar context is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of educational practices, community engagement, and local contextual dynamics in Senegal.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools, including the ability to analyse complex Excel datasets and contribute to well-structured reports.
- Demonstrated experience in working with ethical review boards (ERB) and obtaining authorizations for research.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience collaborating with governments, donors (e.g., USAID, Gates Foundation, World Bank), and local partners.
- Ability to work remotely with international, multidisciplinary teams in dynamic and complex environments.
- Fluency in French and English
How to apply
If this position interests you and you meet the requirements outlined above, please send your CV and a cover letter to the following email address: josephine@magentaconsulting.org by Friday, January 24th.