Simon Bird Email & Phone Number

London, Gb

Strand Campus, Central London

Mixed methods research on improving the outcomes of children in care and children in need.

London, England, United Kingdom

Led a study on ‘Measuring Impact for Learning and Empowerment (MILE)’ – an innovative participatory practice designed to give more power to primary actors and other local stakeholders – experience in VSO programmes in five selected countries (Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Nepal and Thailand).

London, England, United Kingdom

Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) is a joint endeavour between the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to connect expertise, innovation and knowledge to support low- and middle-income countries to build stronger education systems and accelerate progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. One of four regional hubs, KIX Africa 19 hub facilitates cross-country knowledge exchange and mobilisation, learning, synthesis, and collaboration among national education stakeholders in 18 GPE partner countries in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa. The hub is led by UNESCO – International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa (IICBA), in collaboration with its consortium partners: UNICEF – Eastern and Southern Africa, and AU.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Led a cross-cultural team of international and national consultants and staff in undertaking a mixed methods study to develop a resource mobilisation strategy for the education sector in Ethiopia based on the work of the Education Commission in advocating for reform and investment to tackle the global learning crisis; liaised with senior civil servants and development partners, including the World Bank and DFID; undertook regional fieldwork, including leading interviews and focus group discussions with regional education bureaus, universities, students, NGOs and the business sector; main author of report, based on national and international best practice, especially in sub-Saharan Africa; and advised on policy implementation.

Kenya And Ghana

Co-led research teams to evaluate the impact of the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme, funded by DFID, through in-country data collection and analysis involving extractive and participatory research methods with key stakeholders and beneficiaries, including school and community projects to combat gender based violence and promote girls’ clubs, women’s livelihoods, and disability inclusion.

Sierra Leone

* Scoped and made recommendations on the rollout of a ‘Right to Learn’ three-year programme, funded by DFID, designed to improve transition from primary to secondary school for 10,000 highly vulnerable children.* Visited rural schools, did classroom observations and provided feedback to teachers and teaching specialists.

Manila, The Philippines

* Provided technical support and advice to the Department of Education (DepEd) and UNICEF on a range of issues, including a multi-grade teaching good practice research programme with SE Asia Ministers of Education Office - Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO - INNOTECH).* Participated in fieldwork in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, including for the SE Asia Primary Learning Metrics field trial, interviewing children, parents, teachers and state officials.* Supported the planning of, and participated in, a conference on Education in Emergencies, including facilitating roundtable discussions with World Bank and other partners.* Developed proposals on the introduction of education sector planning with UNESCO.

London, United Kingdom

Dissertation: Uncovering and Disrupting Gender Inequity: 'The Good Fight' in Ethiopian HE

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

* Supported the implementation of a new education sector plan (ESP).* Led a Ministry of Education Taskforce to develop a multi-year action plan for the ESP as a requirement for a successful USD100m grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). * Advised an education technical working group comprising World Bank and other key partners.* Supported the planning of, and participated in, fieldwork in Afar Region in northern Ethiopia (acutely affected by the drought) to establish progress against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as part of an independent fact-finding Joint Review Mission (JRM).

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

* Planned and implemented a major restructuring of the Federal Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Agency, including managing a team of external consultants, and the preparation of a comprehensive submission to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval. * Advised the State Minister and his deputy (head of agency and my line manager) on a range of issues; and promoted stakeholder engagement with development partners, especially GIZ.* Promoted gender equality, including supporting two independent reviews for GIZ and KfW.

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

* Led national policy development and validation of good practice on early intervention for children, young people and families, including chairing multi-disciplinary panels, funded by the government. * Established and advised an expert group and managed its work programme.* Lead researcher and author of a major influential report on local, national and international best practice, including recommendations to central and local government on policy and funding priorities.

London, United Kingdom

* Provided technical advice and external challenge on all aspects of a successful inspection of adult social care and community services by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).* Supported a successful full inspection of safeguarding children and children in care, through undertaking a wide-ranging stock-take on behalf of the Director of Children’s Services. * Facilitated regional 'Planning for Excellence' in Children's Services workshops for NFER.* Pro-bono: developed ‘A New Model for Inspecting and Improving Children’s Services’ for the Local Government Association (LGA) and Assoc. of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).

London, United Kingdom

* Member of Executive Management Team and Director of Children’s Services’ Management Team with responsibility for 24 staff: performance and equalities, corporate governance, legal services, policy and programming, children’s services partnership work, and risk management.* Led performance management across public services in the local area and chaired multi-agency performance group; seconded to manage a multi-agency team and lead the arrangements for a successful joint area review of children’s services in which the inspectors judged “almost all education services to be good with effective performance management".* Chaired ‘Schools at the Heart’ Steering Group to promote the 2012 London Games, contributing to Hackney Council being awarded beacon status and attracting national media attention for its innovative work on curriculum development and disability inclusive practice. * Chaired a national group on improving performance information in education and children’s services comprising representatives from central and local government, and the inspectorates. * Promoted from Assistant Director of Policy, Planning and Performance.

London, United Kingdom

* Developed national policy, drafted policy briefings and promoted local good practice in a wide range of areas, including support for school improvement, school and corporate governance, inspection and accountability, best value and self-evaluation, and performance data.* Author of numerous policy research and good practice guides publicly endorsed by education ministers, the inspectorates, and professional associations, and widely disseminated.* Founded and convened several highly effective reference groups with representatives from central and local government, the inspectorates, professional and other associations to improve coordination of national education policy development and delivery.* Complemented this role with freelance consultancy advising central and local governments.

Ma Educational Planning, Economics And International Development, Distinction

Ma Public And Social Administration, Public Administration, Distinction In Taught Modules; Merit In Dissertation