The USAID-funded Early Grade Education Activity (Asas) is seeking US Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with strong early-grade teacher / educator programs to provide technical assistance to Jordanian HEIs. 

Purpose

At IREX, we strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive.       

But around the globe, persistent poverty, repression, and injustice prevent too many people from achieving their full potential. To address these problems, we focus on people, not on vaccines, roads, or wells. We support individuals and institutions to create change in their communities and to create person-to-person bridges between nations.   

IREX collaborates with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.  

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.   

 

EARLY GRADE EDUCATION ACTIVITY ASAS  

The goal of the USAID-funded Early Grade Education Activity (EGEA) also known as the ASAS project (“Foundation”) is to advance national efforts to strengthen the caliber of pre-and in-service education and improve Kindergarten through Grade 3 foundational and socioemotional skills across the Kingdom of Jordan. This project will serve during its 5-year duration.  

IREX, as lead implementer of EGEA in Jordan, seeks the support of US higher education institutions (HEIs) with strong early-grade teacher/educator programs to provide technical assistance to Jordanian HEIs. The partnership intends to support three Jordanian HEIs to develop and gain accreditation for early-grade education programs. The partnership between US HEIs and Jordanian institutions within the Asas Preservice initiative aims to enhance Early Grade Pre-Service Teacher Education (PSTE) programs in Jordan by enhancing the capacity of Jordanian HEIs to deliver effective early-grade PSTE programs. This includes improving curriculum relevance, quality assurance systems, and access to education.   

 

GENERAL TASKS  

The US HEI’s role will be to support the Jordanian HEIs with practical advice to improve their existing early-grade academic programs. In support of EGEA Result 1, Improved Quality of Early Grade Pre-Service Education Programs, the US HEI will provide technical assistance for the JHEI counterpart to review and revise its Early Grade Education program to improve teaching and learning. The goal is to raise students’ academic performance in early-grade literacy and numeracy in alignment with the Jordanian Ministry of Higher Education’s requirements.   

The US HEI will conduct initial online meeting(s) with the selected JHEI to learn and understand their perspectives, needs, and expectations in relation to the improvement of their EGE programs along the guidelines of the EGEA. They will develop a brief work plan with specific activities based on this scope of work to monitor progress against milestones. In addition to monitoring the JHEIs' work through regular online check-ins based on agreed timelines and work plans.   

Overall, the scope of work will include onsite visits of Jordanian faculty to the US host university, joint research activities, virtual learning (synchronous and asynchronous), faculty exchange, and forming a community of practice from the US HEI and local HEIs.   

 

SCOPE OF WORK  

Curriculum Review and Co-Development: Jordanian with the support of US HEIs collaborate to upgrade existing courses or develop new courses within the curriculum framework. This process involves providing technical assistance, conducting workshops, and developing teaching-learning materials.   

Faculty Capacity Building and Professional Development: Create professional development opportunities for faculty members, administrators, and leaders to ensure continuous improvement by facilitating training sessions, developing virtual learning environments, and providing ongoing coaching. The goal is to empower faculty members to deliver high-quality PSTE aligned with international best practices and standards.   

Leadership Excellence Initiative: Leadership development programs will be designed and implemented in collaboration with selected US HEI to enhance leadership capabilities and effectiveness among academic leaders within educational institutions.   

Research: Foster a dynamic exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources to address critical challenges in early grade Pre-Service Teacher Education (PSTE) through peer –research where researchers from both countries come together to explore innovative topics, conduct applied research, and develop evidence-based practices to improve PSTE programs and publish them in well-known journals. Besides, the provision of speakers for conferences related to early education stages (may be held at universities).  

Quality Assurance Framework: Collaboratively develop and implement a robust quality framework by defining key indicators of quality, designing assessment tools, and establishing protocols for monitoring and evaluation.  

Estimated timeframe: July 2024-September 2025

 

Eligibility requirements

Shortlisted vendors may be invited for interviews or presentations to further discuss their proposals. The final selection will be based on the evaluation of proposals and any additional assessments conducted during the selection process.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• US Ranking and School of Education college Ranking:  A reputable top-ranked university on QS ranking or any equivalent ranking system (10%)   
• Research Activities:  Highly ranked in terms of the number of research issued annually by the university and the percentage of citations per faculty member (10%)   
• Academic Programs’ Offering: The faculty of education within the university must offer accredited programs specifically focused on Early Grade Education and Classroom Teacher preparation, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in teacher education. (30%)   
• Accreditations: CAEP or NAEYC accredited – Highly Preferable (10%)   
• Qualified Faculty Members: Faculty members within the faculty of education should possess relevant qualifications, expertise, and experience in Early Grade Education. They should demonstrate the ability to provide technical assistance, feedback, and guidance to support the enhancement of teacher education programs. (30%)   
• University Culture: HEI should demonstrate a commitment to sustainability across various aspects of their operations, including environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic resilience through integrating sustainability initiatives into campus practices. (10%)  

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:    

• The university must be accredited within the past five years and demonstrate a solid record and CAEP accreditation.   
• The university must have experience doing this kind of work and curriculum integrating social-emotional learning, UDL, and Improving literacy and numeracy in early grades and education. Experience with the Middle East or in higher education will be a great bonus.   
• Credentials of faculty that will be supporting this grant and the Jordanian HEI  
• Please provide a proposal on behalf of your university and department in lieu of a “cover letter" or submit via info.asas@irex.org by June 24, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
  • 10 pages maximum plus annex information as required including faculty members proposed accreditation and any relevant background information related to this RFP.

Deadline

If you decide to submit a proposal, it must be received no later than 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time on the closing date indicated above (June 24, 2024). Late submissions will only be considered if in the best interests of the project, and then at IREX’s sole discretion. All proposals and included pricing quotes submitted must be valid for a period of not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the closing date indicated above.

How to submit a concept note

Submit proposals to info.asas@irex.org with the subject line [“Proposal Submission: US HEI Partnership”].

Questions?

Contact info.asas@irex.org.