TERMS OF REFERENCE Longitudinal Study Development Advisor

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Longitudinal Study Development Advisor

Consultancy | October–December 2026

1. Background and context

Ubongo is a Pan-African organization transforming how children learn through localized, curriculum-aligned educational content. Through storytelling, animation, music, research, and child-centred design, Ubongo supports children to build foundational skills. Ubongo's 2026 MEL Plan and Repositioning shifts the organisation from fragmented impact measurement toward a unified evidence framework covering cognitive learning outcomes, social equity outcomes, and the Learning Powerhouse domains of curiosity, confidence, and self-regulation. Ubongo has demonstrated short-term gains in literacy, numeracy, STEM, socio-emotional learning, engagement, and caregiver perception outcomes. The next step is to develop a clear funding and study design package for longitudinal measurement that can examine whether sustained exposure to Ubongo's content contributes to durable learning outcomes, stronger learning drivers, and broader developmental trajectories over time. Ubongo has strong but uneven impact evidence across shows, countries and study designs. 

A longitudinal study would help determine whether learning gains and key learning drivers i.e. curiosity, confidence and executive function are sustained over time, how they relate to later literacy, numeracy, comprehension, STEM and social outcomes, and which behaviours encouraged by Ubongo become persistent or “sticky.” This consultancy will develop the technical study framework and funder-ready proposal needed to assess feasibility and take the study forward.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to help Ubongo prepare a fundable longitudinal study package that is technically credible, aligned to the MEL Repositioning, and ready for submission to strategic funders. The consultant will not initiate field implementation, baseline activities, recruitment, or data collection. Any future longitudinal study activities will be contingent on successful funding approval and a separate implementation decision.

4. Objectives

The consultancy will pursue the following objectives:

• Develop 3–4 tailored funding proposals for a longitudinal study, aligned to the 2026 MEL Plan and Repositioning and adapted to funder priorities.
• Develop a conceptual and technical study design framework, including research questions, theory of change, target population, sampling logic, measurement domains, proposed tools, skill-retention measures, approaches for examining persistence of learning and behavioural outcomes, exposure patterns, implementation assumptions, analysis approach, timeline, and indicative budget.
• Develop a concise evidence and investment narrative positioning the longitudinal study within Ubongo's broader MEL Repositioning, Learning Powerhouse framework, impact evaluation roadmap, and long-term impact communication agenda.
• Consolidate the proposals, study design framework, and evidence narrative into a final funding and technical package for Ubongo review and future use.
  
  

5. Scope of Work and Key Tasks

5.1 Funding Proposal Development

The consultant will:

• Develop four tailored funding proposals for the longitudinal study.
• Maintain a consistent core study concept across proposals while adapting the language, framing, priorities, and requirements to the target funders.
• Ensure that proposals clearly articulate the value of longitudinal evidence, durable learning outcomes, skill retention, learning drivers, and persistent 'sticky behaviours'.
• Incorporate an appropriate high-level budget and implementation pathway within each proposal, where required.
  
  

5.2 Longitudinal Study Design Framework

The consultant will develop a technically robust study design framework covering:

• Research objectives and questions
• Conceptual model and theory of change.
• Target population and sampling logic.
• Target outcomes and measurement domains.
• Proposed measurement tools and approaches.
• Data collection waves and longitudinal follow-up structure.
• Approaches for assessing skill retention over time, including which skills persist and which do not.
• Approaches for examining continued, intermittent, and changing patterns of exposure to Ubongo content.
• Approaches for examining the persistence of behavioural outcomes and 'sticky behaviours'.
• Implementation assumptions, risks, and mitigation considerations.
• Proposed analytical approach.
• Indicative study timeline and budget.
  
  

5.3 Evidence and Investment Narrative

The consultant will develop a concise narrative that:

• Explains how the longitudinal study advances Ubongo's 2026 MEL Repositioning.
• Connects the study to the Learning Powerhouse domains and cognitive learning outcomes.
• Explains the value of measuring outcomes and learning drivers over time.
• Articulates the value of understanding long-term skill retention and persistent 'sticky behaviours' as potential pathways to sustained positive learning or social change.
• Positions the study within Ubongo's impact evaluation roadmap and long-term impact communication agenda.
  
  

5.4 Final Funding and Technical Package

The consultant will consolidate the final outputs into a coherent package that can be used for internal decision-making, funder engagement, and future study development.

6. Expected Deliverables and Timeline

1. Funding Proposals

Four finalized, tailored funding proposals for the longitudinal study, maintaining a consistent core concept while responding to target funder priorities and requirements.

Due Date: End of October 2026

2. Longitudinal Study Design Framework

Technical framework covering research questions, conceptual model, methodology, sample assumptions, target outcomes, measures, data collection waves, analysis approach, risks, skill retention, exposure patterns, 'sticky behaviours', timeline, and indicative budget.

Due Date: November 2026

3. Longitudinal Study Evidence and Investment Narrative

Concise narrative positioning the study within Ubongo's MEL Repositioning, Learning Powerhouse, cognitive learning outcomes, impact evaluation roadmap, and long-term impact communication agenda.

Due Date: December 2026

4. Final Longitudinal Study Development Package
Consolidated funding proposals, study design framework, and evidence and investment narrative, ready for Ubongo review and future use.

Due Date: December 2026

7. Expected Approach and Working Arrangements

• The consultant will align all outputs with Ubongo's 2026 MEL Plan and Repositioning, including the Learning Powerhouse domains, cognitive learning outcomes, social equity outcomes, standardized measurement approach, and long-term impact communication needs.
• The consultant will work closely with the Chief Product Officer, Director of Education and Research, MEL Manager, and relevant internal teams to ensure technical quality and strategic alignment.
• The consultant will provide regular progress updates and participate in check-in calls as agreed.
• All outputs should be practical, funder-ready, and suitable for both internal decision-making and external funding discussions.
• The consultancy does not include field implementation, baseline preparation, recruitment, or data collection.
  
  

8. Consultant Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should demonstrate relevant expertise in longitudinal research, education research, MEL, and resource mobilisation, including:

• Strong experience designing longitudinal or other rigorous education and/or child development research studies.
• Experience developing funder-ready research proposals and investment cases.
• Strong knowledge of research design, sampling, measurement, longitudinal analysis, and study implementation considerations.
• Experience developing theories of change and conceptual frameworks linking learning drivers to learning and developmental outcomes.
• Ability to translate complex technical research concepts into clear, compelling narratives for funders and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in education, media, edtech, social impact, international development, or MEL is desirable.
• Strong written communication, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and project-management skills.
• Experience working across African contexts and/or with organisations operating across multiple countries is an advantage.
  
  

9. Management and Reporting

The consultant will report to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, who will coordinate regular check-ins, review draft outputs, and oversee quality assurance. The consultant will also work closely with the Chief Product Officer, Director of Education and Research, and relevant internal teams.

Final deliverables will be reviewed against alignment with Ubongo's MEL Repositioning, technical quality, funding readiness, and practical usefulness for Ubongo's long-term research agenda.

10. Role of Ubongo

Ubongo will:

• Provide the 2026 MEL Plan and Repositioning and other relevant strategic and research documents.
• Share existing research reports, impact evaluation materials, and other internal evidence relevant to the assignment.
• Provide access to relevant internal stakeholders for consultation and review.
• Provide consolidated feedback at agreed review points.
• Coordinate internal review and quality assurance of draft and final deliverables.
  
  

11. Duration and Location

The consultancy is expected to run from Mid September to the end of  December 2026 and will be conducted remotely, with virtual check-ins and review sessions as agreed.

12. Proposal Requirements

Interested consultants should submit:

1. A concise technical 2 page  proposal and workplan describing their understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.
2. A financial proposal in United States dollars, clearly showing professional fees and any applicable taxes or additional costs.
3. Relevant examples of longitudinal study designs, research proposals, or comparable assignments.
4. CV of the lead consultant and CVs of key team members, where applicable.
   
   

13. Application Instructions and deadline

Submit to: phillip@ubongo.org and copy shama@ubongo.org  before Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

UBONGO provides equal opportunities to all bidders and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by the laws of the country we are operating in.

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