ABOUT ESSA

ESSA improves education using evidence and data from Africa in research, advocacy and programme design. We take a systems approach by identifying challenges and co-designing solutions in partnership with local education researchers, higher education leaders, policymakers, funders and employers to improve education outcomes for young people.

We support research that generates actionable insights to inform decisions, policies and practice and strengthen education systems. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small but passionate and driven team based in Africa and Europe, to play a key role in advancing our work, impact and partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

ESSA's values are at the heart of everything we do, and they are:

• Evidence-driven: We are driven by data and evidence to find what works best, building an evidence alliance for education in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Solutions-focused: We seek the highest impact for young people and educators in sub-Saharan Africa with the cost-effective funds we invest.
• Strengthening Trust: We strive to create supportive environments, building trust with the communities we work with.
• Always learning: Everyone's opinion is valuable; we develop solutions through teamwork.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Background

The African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL), a partnership between Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), VVOB – Education for Development, and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), aims to strengthen the evidence base and practice of school leadership across Africa through research, policy engagement, and capacity development.

To build a vibrant community of African school leadership researchers, ACSL is establishing a Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory — a structured 12-month professional learning programme. The initiative will combine self-paced learning modules, mentorship, and peer exchange, designed to enhance research quality, collaboration, and policy engagement among early- and mid-career researchers.

In parallel, ACSL will fund selected researchers to conduct independent research on school leadership (12–24 months in duration). While these grants are separate, the same researchers will form the core audience of the blended trajectory, ensuring coherence between capacity strengthening, research implementation, and policy influence.

Purpose of the Assignment

Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) is seeking a consultant or Consulting Team to design, develop, and support the delivery of the Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory for school leadership researchers.

The consultant will ensure that the trajectory is pedagogically sound, contextually relevant, impact-oriented, and fully aligned with ACSL's objectives of improving research capacity and influencing policy through evidence.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Design and develop a 12-month Blended Exchange and Learning Trajectory, including curriculum, online modules, mentorship, and peer exchange mechanisms.
• Integrate an impact-oriented framework into the design—tracking how participation enhances researchers' competencies, collaborations, and influence policy and practice.
• Facilitate pilot implementation, providing technical support for online delivery, mentorship engagement, and exchange events.
• Contribute to MEL and reporting, capturing early learning and evidence of outcomes.

• Conduct a rapid needs assessment of target researchers (skills, research experience, and policy engagement gaps)
• Review relevant ACSL strategy documents, ESSA capacity frameworks, and VVOB professional learning models
• Develop an Inception Report with: Conceptual framework and theory of change for the learning trajectory, Impact measurement approach (individual, collaborative, and policy impact), Workplan, methodology, and delivery plan
• Design a modular learning curriculum (7 modules, self-paced, online)
• Develop learning materials and digital content (e.g., videos, readings, toolkits, reflection exercises)
• Incorporate impact tracking (pre/post self-assessments, reflective journals, learning analytics)
• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity (gender balance, linguistic and regional diversity)
• Develop a structured mentorship framework—matching criteria, mentor guidelines, and feedback mechanisms
• Design peer exchange formats (virtual learning circles, webinars, research clinics)
• Integrate opportunities for policy dialogue and dissemination sessions with ADEA and ACSL partners
• Support the facilitation of learning and exchange sessions in collaboration with ESSA, VVOB, and ADEA
• Provide ongoing technical support for the Learning Management System (LMS) and engagement tracking
• Collect evidence on engagement, learning outcomes, and early signs of impact
• Develop and apply an Impact and Learning Framework, including baseline and endline tools
• Produce an Endline Report summarising learning outcomes, early impact stories, and recommendations for scaling
• Provide recommendations to strengthen linkages between the blended trajectory and parallel ACSL research grants

• Understanding of assignment and proposed methodology (including impact integration)
• Relevant technical experience in blended learning and research capacity building
• Proven experience in MEL and impact measurement for learning initiatives