Consultant -Senior Psychometrician for the Foundational Learning Study

Provide targeted technical assistance to NAW/PIE for psychometric analysis, scaling, benchmarking, and reporting of Pakistan's national foundational learning assessment data to international standards. Support capacity building and ensure continuity and timeliness of national evidence reporting aligned with SDG 4.1.1.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to NAW/PIE for psychometric analysis, calibration, scaling and pilot-to-scale equating in English, Urdu and Sindhi.
• Set foundational learning benchmarks aligned with the Global Proficiency Framework (GPF) and Minimum Proficiency Levels (MPLs).
• Prepare SDG 4.1.1 reporting documentation according to UIS/GAML technical criteria.
• Support extension of large-scale administration to English-medium schools.
• Deliver capacity building and knowledge transfer to NAW/PIE staff.
• Ensure continuity and timeliness of national foundational learning evidence reporting without methodological loss or delay.
• Plan and undertake two trips to Islamabad as part of the assignment.

Requirements

• An advanced PhD university degree in psychometrics, educational measurement, statistics or a related field.
• At least 10 years in large-scale learning assessment, including item response theory (IRT), item calibration, equating and scaling.
• Proven experience setting foundational learning benchmarks aligned with the GPF/MPL framework.
• Working knowledge of UIS/GAML technical criteria and SDG 4.1.1 reporting requirements.
• Experience designing and analysing assessments across several languages of instruction.
• Experience in South Asia, and in working with national assessment bodies and ministries, is desirable.
• A track record of building the capacity of government assessment teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Direct experience of the FLS-2026 instrument design, pilot analysis or large-scale administration is a strong asset.
• Applicants should submit a technical proposal including understanding of the assignment, methodology for psychometric analysis and benchmarking, work plan with timeline, capacity building approach, and relevant experience.
• Applicants should attach a CV and a separate financial proposal showing daily fee and trip costs.

Skills

• Psychometrics
• Educational Measurement
• Statistics
• Large-scale Learning Assessment
• Item Response Theory
• Item Calibration
• Equating and Scaling
• Foundational Learning Benchmarking
• GPF/MPL Framework
• UIS/GAML Technical Criteria
• SDG 4.1.1 Reporting
• Assessment Design
• Multilingual Assessment Analysis
• Capacity Building
• National Assessment Coordination
• FLS-2026 Instrument Design
• Psychometric Analysis Methodology
• Benchmarking Methodology

Languages

English