Terms of Reference - Consultant MEL Repositioning and Learning Sciences Advisory Support

Ubongo

16h • Remote

About The Position

Ubongo is seeking a consultant to strengthen its Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems and research capabilities. The goal is to improve how the organization measures, validates, and communicates the impact of its educational content across various products, countries, and learning domains. This involves reviewing and refining the MEL Repositioning Plan, developing a roadmap for STEM assessment tools, and creating a roadmap for the Learning Powerhouse framework, which includes Executive Function (EF), Confidence in Learning, and Curiosity. The consultant will help Ubongo operationalize a coherent, scalable, and evidence-driven MEL and research architecture, aligning with global shifts towards competency-based learning and the recognition of underlying mechanisms that drive long-term academic and developmental success.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent qualification in Education, Psychology, Learning Sciences, MEL, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in educational research, learning assessment, MEL systems, or impact evaluation.
• Expertise in areas such as EF, SEL, competency-based learning, psychometrics, or child development.
• Strong understanding of experimental and mixed-methods research approaches.
• Familiarity with tools such as EGRA, EGMA, TIMSS, IDELA, or related assessment frameworks.
• Experience working with universities, donors, research institutions, and African education contexts.
• Technical proposal (1–2 pages)
• Financial proposal with detailed budget breakdown (USD)
• Proposed workplan and timeline
• CV(s) of lead consultant(s)
• Summary of relevant experience and similar assignments completed
• Contact details for at least two professional references
• Examples of relevant previous work or publications (where available)

Nice To Haves

• Experience in educational media or edutainment is an added advantage.

Responsibilities

• Review, critique, and strengthen the MEL Repositioning Framework to ensure a coherent and consolidated impact narrative, alignment with Ubongo’s Theory of Change, and a scalable evidence architecture.
• Develop a detailed strategic roadmap and proposed budget for the adaptation, development, piloting, and validation of contextualized STEM assessment tools.
• Develop a practical roadmap and proposed budget for the development, piloting, and validation of the Learning Powerhouse framework, including its individual domains (Executive Function (EF), Confidence in Learning, Curiosity and Motivation) and composite index.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree