Cambodia: Senior Consultant for the Assessment of Curricula of 2 Agricultural Colleges
Sep 13, 2015
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Kingdom of Cambodia
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1.1 Beneficiary country
The Beneficiary country of this assignment is the Kingdom of Cambodia
1.2 Contracting Authority
The Programme, “Promotion of inclusive and sustainable growth in the Agriculture Sector: Fisheries and Livestock” in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), began operating in February 2014. It has three components: Sector Policy, Fisheries, and Livestock. This assignment is funded by, and implemented under, the Sector Policy Component. The Contracting Authority will be the Imprest Administrator of the Sector Policy Component of the Programme, which is administered by the Department of Planning and Statistics (DPS).
1.3 Current situation in the sector
Cambodia has three institutions specialising in agricultural education. They are the Royal University of Agriculture, Prek Leap National College of Agriculture and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture.
Prek Leap National College of Agriculture (PNCA) and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture offer a range of education and training including diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor degrees in subjects such as Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Agronomy, Forestry, Horticulture, Rubber, Agro-Industry, Agricultural Machinery, Agricultural Economics and Management, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development. The colleges also offer tailor-made in-service and short courses on an as-needs basis. In the past, the two colleges have received assistance from USA and France. However, this support has now ended.
The colleges are trying to restructure their programs and upgrade their offerings and Human Resources to meet the present day stakeholder needs. There is concern that employers and prospective students perceive the current curricula as weak in rigour and that courses do not provide the skills and experiences that students need and employers in the agricultural industry are demanding in their new hires.
The colleges have put forward proposals to convert to university status: this is under review. The need for vocational-level education will continue and this is the focus of this contract.
MAFF is updating its medium term strategic plan for the Agriculture Sector called the Agricultural Sector Strategic Development Plan (ASDP) for 2014-2018. The ASDP is aligned with the NSDP 2014-2018 and RGC Rectangular Strategy III.
In addition, MAFF wishes to develop a comprehensive HRD policy that will provide a framework for capacity building not only for its departments and agencies, but also for private companies operating in the agriculture sector. In order to meet these demands agricultural education curricula needs to be relevant and up-to-date.
A senior consultant will be hired on a short-term contract to work closely with the Department of HR Development (DPHRD) and the administration and faculty/staff of the agricultural colleges to draft proposals for the curricula. The senior consultant will be supported by a support staff who will be responsible for assisting with logistics, facilitation of meetings and translation.
2. OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS
2.1 Overall objective
The purpose of the Sector Policy Component of the programme and therefore the overall objective of this contract is: MAFF Sector Policy and Systems developed in line with Rectangular Strategy III and National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP) 2014-2018 in line with Programme-Based Approach principles.
2.2 Purpose
The purpose of this contract is to draft proposals for assessment of curricula at Prek Leap National College of Agriculture and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture.
2.3 Results to be achieved by the Contractor
A report with specific recommendations for restructuring of the existing curricula to be used for restructuring programs at the Prek Leap National College of Agriculture and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture.
3. SCOPE OF THE WORK
3.1 General
3.1.1 Description of the assignment
The consultant will review the existing curricula of the two colleges and assess the training needs of students seeking a career in the agricultural sector, with a focus on skill requirements and qualifications needed of new graduates by prospective employers. Specific recommendations for the curricula will be provided. For further details, refer to Article 3.2. Specific Work.
3.1.2 Geographical area to be covered
Location: The assignment will be focused on Prek Leap National College of Agriculture, located at Russey Keo, Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture, located at Kampong Cham province.
3.1.3 Target groups
Faculty, staff and students of the two agricultural colleges.
3.2 Specific work
- Discuss scope of assignment with MAFF DPHRD senior staff members and with the Programme Technical Support Team;
- Hold discussions with administrators, faculty and staff of Prek Leap National College of Agriculture and Kampong Cham National School of Agriculture about the current vocational curricula and how they view restructuring of curricula in their respective colleges;
- Interview a sample of former and current students to understand their views on the strengths, weaknesses, and relevancy of the current curricula, including their input on types of courses to be deleted and or added to make the curriculum more relevant;
- Interview a sample of representatives from the private sector and NGOs in order to gain their perspectives on the current curriculum and need for curriculum restructuring and development;
- Review current curricula and assess its relevance and completeness in terms of the ascertained agricultural education needs and knowledge gained from the above two activities;
- Run two workshops to test proposals about the need for specific courses at different levels, such as diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor degrees;
- Make specific recommendations for the curricula to meet the needs of employers in agricultural industry.
3.3 Project management
3.3.1 Responsible body
The Contracting Authority will be the Imprest Administrator of the Sector Policy Support Component, based in the Department of Planning and Statistics in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. However, the consultants will work closely with senior staff of the MAFF DPHRD for all technical aspects of the assignment.
3.3.2 Management structure
This service contract will be financed under Operational Programme Estimate No.1 of the Sector Policy Component, individual financial commitment DCIASIE/2013/335-004, Budget line 1.2.3.1, of Project DCI-ASIE/2013/023-197.
The Department of Planning and Statistics will monitor the implementation of the contract and exercise control over payment of the invoice of consultant. Senior staff of the MAFF DPHRD will approve the technical aspects of the assignment.
3.3.3 Facilities to be provided by the Contracting Authority and/or other parties
Consultants will provide their own equipment and working space.
4. LOGISTICS AND TIMING
4.1 Location
Department of Planning and Statistics, MAFF, Phnom Penh, with visits to the two agricultural colleges.
4.2 Start date & period of implementation of tasks
The intended start date is November 2015. The period of implementation will be for six weeks.
5. REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Staff
Note that civil servants and other staff of the public administration of the beneficiary country cannot be proposed as experts, unless prior written approval has been obtained from the European Commission.
Senior Consultant for the Assessment of the Curricula for two Agricultural Colleges
Qualifications and skills
Qualifications:
- Higher degree in agriculture or equivalent subject area;
- Fluent in the English language.
General professional experience/skills:
- At least ten years’ experience working in agricultural education institutions;
- Experience of working in or with Government institutions;
- Experience of working with high level individuals;
- Understanding of requirements of international donors;
Specific experience/skills:
- Extensive knowledge and experience in working with agricultural education curriculum development in developing countries.
- Knowledge and experience of the agriculture sector in Cambodia and SE Asia;
- Knowledge of agricultural education in Cambodia or SE Asia.
All experts must be independent and free from conflicts of interest in the responsibilities they take on.
5.2 Office accommodation
Consultant will provide own equipment and working space.
5.3 Facilities to be provided by the Contractor
N/A.
5.4 Equipment
No equipment is to be purchased on behalf of the Contracting Authority/beneficiary country as part of this service contract or transferred to the Contracting Authority/ beneficiary country at the end of this contract.
6. REPORTS AND FINAL APPROVAL
6.1. Reporting requirements
A final report in English, setting out the assessment of the need for the two agricultural colleges to run specific courses at different levels, including diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor degrees and specific recommendations for their curricula to meet the needs of employers in agricultural industry.
6.2. Submission and approval of reports
The report referred to in 6.1 must be submitted to MAFF DPHRD and the Imprest Administrator. MAFF DPHRD will approve the technical content and the Imprest Administrator will monitor delivery of the assignment and control payment.
Process to apply: Applications are accepted by email or hard copy. Candidate must mention in the subject of the email the reference of the position:
- The application deadline is 30 Sep, 2015 at 11:00 am. Candidate must provide (i) a Cover letter (ii) a Curriculum vitae including names of 2 referees at least and (iii) proposed budget and workplan (must not exceed KHR 90,000,000).
- Email: sokunkoam@gmail.com, admin@eumaffdps.org Attn: KOAM Sokun, Tel: 012 83 55 90.