1. Background

AwazCDS-Pakistan, with the support of the Malala Fund, aims to conduct an evidence-based study to highlight the Economic Cost of Out-of-School Girls: Estimating Pakistan’s Losses from Incomplete Secondary Education. Despite Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan mandating free and compulsory education for all children aged 5 to 16 years, a significant proportion of girls remain out of school, especially at the secondary level. The study will quantify the economic gains of educating these girls and assess the economic losses incurred by provinces and at the national level due to their educational exclusion.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive study using published secondary data, departmental statistics, and relevant research to:

• Demonstrate the economic value of girls completing 10 years of education.

• Estimate the economic losses each province and Pakistan face due to out-of-school girls not completing secondary education.

• Provide reliable figures on the number of out-of-school girls at primary and secondary levels in each province and nationally.

• Develop evidence-based recommendations to influence policy and programmatic interventions for improving girls’ secondary education enrollment and retention.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Conducting a desk review of national and international literature, reports, and datasets on girls’ education and its economic impact.

• Collecting, verifying, and presenting the most recent figures on out-of-school girls in Pakistan, disaggregated by province (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, ICT) and nationally.

• Analyzing secondary data from official sources (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, PSLM, Ministry of Education, BISP, provincial education departments, UNESCO, UNICEF, PIE etc.).

• Estimating the potential economic contributions of OOSG completing secondary education (e.g., increased earnings, GDP growth, poverty reduction).

• Calculating province-wise and national-level economic losses due to girls not completing secondary education.

• Engaging with relevant government departments for data validation where feasible.

• Developing an analytical report with key findings, visual data representations, and policy recommendations.

4. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

1. Inception Report: Methodology, data sources, analytical framework, timeline.

2. Provincial & National OOSG Statistics Report: Verified figures of out-of-school girls at primary and secondary levels.

3. Draft Study Report: Economic contributions analysis, provincial/national loss estimations, preliminary recommendations.

4. Final Study Report: Along with incorporating feedback, final report including Executive Summary & Infographics, and policy recommendations.

5. Preparation and Presentation of findings in form of PPT.

5. Duration of Assignment

The assignment will be completed within 10 weeks from contract signing.

6. Qualification & Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in Economics, Public Policy, Education, Development Studies, or related fields.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in socio-economic research and policy analysis.

• Proven ability to conduct data-driven economic impact assessments.

• Familiarity with Pakistan’s education sector and social protection frameworks.

• Strong quantitative analysis and report writing skills.

7. Consultancy Cost

The total consultancy cost will be PKR 1,000,000.

8. Timeframe

The consultancy will begin on June 15th, 2025, and conclude with the final submission of the Report by August 30th, 2025.