Onboarding of an Innovation Research Consultant for Inclusive Technologies for Education
Damaturu
- Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
- Location: Damaturu
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Human Resources
- Education, Learning and Training
- Scientist and Researcher
- Innovations for Sustainable Development
- Disability Rights
- Closing Date: 2025-02-06
Scope of work
Inclusive education aims to provide equitable learning opportunities for all students, regardless of disability, socio-economic status, gender, or other barriers. Technology has emerged as a critical enabler in fostering inclusive practices by addressing accessibility challenges, personalized learning needs, and participation barriers. This research seeks to examine the role of technology in inclusive education, explore its effectiveness, identify challenges, and propose actionable recommendations for its optimal use. The primary objective is to evaluate how technology can support inclusive education by:
- Enhancing access to quality education for learners with diverse learning needs.
- Identifying effective and recommend technological tools and practices.
- Addressing barriers to the adoption and implementation of technology for education.
- Recommending strategies to scale and sustain technology-driven education practices.
The research will address the following areas:
- Current Landscape: Examine the existing use of technology in inclusive education across various contexts.
- Technological Solutions: Assess tools, platforms, and innovations designed for inclusive education (e.g., assistive technologies, AI-driven personalization).
- Effectiveness: Measure the impact of technology on learning outcomes, engagement, and equity for diverse learners.
- Challenges: Identify barriers such as cost, infrastructure, digital literacy, and cultural attitudes.
Best Practices: Document successful case studies and scalable models.
Research Questions:
The research questions include:
- What types of technologies are currently being used to support inclusive education and how effective are they?
- How does technology address the specific needs of diverse learners?
- What are the main barriers to the use of technology in inclusive learning?
- How can educators, policy makers, and other stakeholders optimize the use of technology for inclusive learning?
Methodology/Criteria.
The research will employ a mixed-methods approach:
- Literature Review: Analyze existing studies, reports, and policy documents.
- Quantitative Analysis: Use surveys and data analytics to assess the reach and impact of technological tools.
- Qualitative Analysis: Conduct interviews, focus groups, and case studies with stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and policymakers.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare technologies and approaches across different geographic, socio-economic, and educational contexts.
Deliverables:
- Inception Report: Outlining the research design, methodology, and timeline.
- Interim Progress Report: Highlighting preliminary findings and insights.
- Final Research Report: Comprehensive documentation of findings, analyses, and recommendations. This report also should provide a roadmap to developing a project to pilot an inclusive learning and teaching environment using EdTech solutions.
- Presentation/Workshops: Sharing key insights and recommendations with OTL team and other stakeholders.
Payment Rate and Schedule:
| Individual Consultant Request Form Description | Unit (Days) | Lumpsum (%) | |
| 1st Payment @ Prep-Phase Inception Report(P-PIR) | 14 | 30% | |
| 2nd Payment @ 1st Phase | 40 | 50% | |
| Final Payment @ Post-Phase Closure Report (P-PCR) | 14 | 20% | |
| Total | 68 | 100% |
Requirements:
- Minimum of B.SC/HND
- Familiar with donor-funded projects and reporting methodologies.
- Consultant MUST be located and operational in the BAY states and be able to be deployed within short notice to OTL-supported LGAs within the BAY states.
- Consultant MUST have experience of conducting research on inclusive education.
- Consultant MUST have conducted similar work within the country preferably Northeast Nigeria and can show verifiable report(s) of previous assessments conducted.
- A minimum of two verifiable reports sample MUST be submitted for review.
- Consultant MUST be a Nigerian citizen.
- Experienced people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to participate.
- The Consultant/Training partner MUST work hand-in-hand with the Learning Facilitators, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and community structures during the research.
- Standard of Professional Conduct: The Consultant must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
All applications and submission should be sent to NGHR.ConsultantsApplications@rescue.org before COB, Thursday 6th of February,2025
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.