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

Terms of Reference 

Consultant MEL Repositioning and Learning Sciences Advisory Support - June 2026

1. Introduction 

Ubongo has built a strong and growing evidence base for educational media in Africa, demonstrating positive impacts across literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional learning, and engagement outcomes through multiple impact evaluations and lab studies conducted across different countries and contexts.. Ubongo’s emerging MEL repositioning emphasizes the role of Ubongo’s content in strengthening children’s composite learning drivers, particularly confidence, curiosity, and executive function (EF) as core assets that support more effective learning and improved learning outcomes, including foundational learning, STEM reasoning and more. This direction also aligns with a broader global shift in education systems and donor priorities toward competency-based learning and the recognition of the underlying mechanisms that drive long-term academic and developmental success. Furthermore, it creates a framework for using consistent tools, structured mechanics, and validation of findings across key strategic markets.

1. Background and problem statement

Ubongo seeks to strengthen its ability to measure the effectiveness of both existing and future shows more coherently and holistically across established and emerging markets through a more integrated and standardized evidence framework.

This requires:

• validating and refining the effectiveness of the MEL Repositioning Plan in driving a structured and consolidated impact narrative;
• developing a detailed roadmap and proposed budget for the adaptation, development, and validation of STEM assessment tools;
• and developing a detailed roadmap and proposed budget for the development, piloting, and validation of the Learning Powerhouse framework, including its individual domains and composite index.
  
  

1. Goal and specific objectives 

To support Ubongo in strengthening and operationalizing a coherent, scalable, and evidence-driven MEL and research systems architecture that improves how the organization measures, validates, and communicates the impact of its educational content across products, countries, and learning domains.

Objective 1: Review, critique and strengthen the MEL Repositioning Framework

To review, refine, and operationalize Ubongo’s MEL Repositioning Plan to ensure it provides:

• a coherent and consolidated impact narrative,
• alignment with Ubongo’s Theory of Change,
• and a scalable evidence architecture across products and markets.

Objective 2: Develop a STEM Assessment Development and Validation Roadmap

To develop a detailed strategic roadmap and proposed budget for the adaptation, development, piloting, and validation of contextualized STEM assessment tools aligned to Ubongo’s educational content and learning objectives.

Objective 3: Develop the Learning Powerhouse Framework and Validation Roadmap

To develop a practical roadmap and proposed budget for the development, piloting, and validation of the Learning Powerhouse framework, including:

• Executive Function (EF),
• Confidence in Learning,
• Curiosity and Motivation,
• and the consolidated composite Learning Powerhouse Index.
  
  

1. Tasks, deliverables and timelines

Objective

Task

Deliverable

Due Date

MEL Repositioning Validation

Review and comment on Ubongo’s MEL Repositioning Framework, Theory of Change alignment, evidence narrative, and measurement architecture to strengthen a coherent and consolidated impact story across products and markets.

MEL Repositioning Advisory Memo with strategic recommendations and validated evidence architecture framework

Mid  June 2026

STEM Measurement Roadmap

Develop a detailed roadmap for the adaptation, development, piloting, and validation of contextualized STEM assessment tools aligned to Ubongo content and curriculum progression, including proposed implementation phases and budget.

STEM Assessment Development and Validation Roadmap including phased implementation plan and proposed budget

Mid June 

Learning Powerhouse Domains and Framework Development

Develop a practical roadmap for the development, piloting, and validation of the Learning Powerhouse framework, including Executive Function (EF), Confidence in Learning and Curiosity. This includes a plan for the composite Learning Powerhouse Index.

Learning Powerhouse Development and Validation Roadmap including proposed domains, piloting strategy, validation phases, and budget

End of June 2026

1. Proposed Payment Plan

The proposed payment plan is 

• 20% upon signing of contract.
• 40% upon submission of draft advisory memo and tools development plan 
• 40% upon delivery of final advisory memo and tools development plan
  
  

1. Location
   The consultancy will primarily be conducted virtually, with periodic strategic meetings and technical review sessions.
   
   

1. Coordination

This consultancy will be managed by the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and the MEL Manager.

1. Management and Reporting

The consultant will report to the Chief Program Officer and will also work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager. Ubongo will:

• Provide strategic direction and institutional oversight throughout the consultancy period.
• Share relevant MEL frameworks, research reports, strategic documents, and internal working materials.
• Facilitate coordination with relevant internal teams and leadership.
• Provide timely feedback on draft deliverables and recommendations.
  
  

9. Required Qualifications

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and expertise:

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

10. Duration and Location
The consultancy is expected to run for 20 days in June 2026 

11. Reporting and Coordination
Reports to: Chief Program Officer (CPO). Working closely with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Team, Education & Research Team, Curriculum Team Product and Content Teams and Senior Leadership Team (where required)

12. Proposal Submission: Interested consultants should submit:

• A 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).
  
  

13.  Where to submit
        Send to: shama@ubongo.org with copy to phillip@ubongo.org  Deadline for submission: 10th June 2026