Synopsis: The purpose of this Research institution / individual experts is to evaluate the feasibility and impact of integrating AI in Jordanian schools, identifying gaps, opportunities, and policy pathways to enhance learning outcomes, equity, and retention through sustainable, tech-enabled education models.
1. Background
The project, titled “Investing in the Future: “Building Sustainable, AI-Enabled Learning Systems in the Jordanian Education Sector: Strengthening Capacity and Preventing School Dr” is a partnership between Vision Hope International (VHI), the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD), and Branches of Mercy (BoM). The initiative aims to support the establishment of sustainable, AI-integrated educational practices in Jordan, driving transformative change toward quality and inclusive education. The initiative focuses on empowering teachers, engaging students, and strengthening both institutional and individual capacities within the education sector.
While the project includes a pilot of AI integration in Jordanian schools, its core focus is on creating long-term, scalable models of AI-enhanced education, rather than conducting a standalone feasibility study. The research component is designed to assess the practical application of AI in schools, its potential to improve learning outcomes, and its role in addressing key challenges such as high dropout rates and educational disparities.
Through this study, the project will evaluate the viability of AI-driven tools in supporting personalized learning, enhancing student engagement, and assisting teachers in their instructional practices. The findings will guide implementation strategies and inform broader policy and system-level reforms in Jordan’s education sector.
2. Study Objectives
- Assess the feasibility of integrating AI into Jordanian schools, focusing on infrastructure, teacher preparedness, student engagement, policy environment, and pedagogical practices.
- Identify gaps and opportunities in digital readiness at school and system levels.
- Promote equity in education by piloting AI tools in both urban and rural settings, taking into account contextual differences, such as class size, infrastructure, gender disparities, and access to technology, to generate practical, evidence-based recommendations that enhance learning outcomes and improve student retention.
- Inform Vision Hope International and national stakeholders about potential pathways, risks, and enabling conditions for AI integration.
3. Scope of the Study
- Geographical Focus: The research will target two representative cities—one urban and one rural—to ensure insights reflect diverse educational settings: Amman and Karak
- Target Group: The intervention will focus on upper primary and lower secondary education (Grades 7–10), targeting students aged 12–16 in 8 public schools across Amman and Karak. The project aims to directly benefit approximately 2,560 students and build the capacity of 120 educators, in addition to engaging 16 educational administrators from the Ministry of Education to ensure sustainability and institutional/individual support for the integration of AI in classrooms
- Stakeholder Engagement: Involvement of education authorities, school staff, students, parents, and AI specialists for a comprehensive understanding:
– Teacher readiness (training needs, openness, perceived utility);
– Student engagement (digital usage, attitudes toward AI tools).
- Technological Analysis: Evaluation of current technological infrastructure, tools, and AI solutions viable for educational use. Infrastructure readiness (digital devices, connectivity, technical support).
- Policy and Regulation Review: Analysis of legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks to confirm alignment with national and global standards.
4. Methodology
The study will employ a mixed-methods approach:
- Quantitative Research:
- Surveys: Distributed across target schools to assess technological readiness, infrastructure quality, and internet connectivity.
- Data Analysis: Statistical evaluation of survey responses to quantify overall preparedness for AI integration.
- Qualitative Research:
- Interviews and Focus Groups: Conducted with teachers, students, parents, education authorities, and AI experts to gather in-depth perspectives on the potential and challenges of AI in education.
- Thematic Analysis: Insights derived from interviews will be used to highlight key themes regarding stakeholder readiness and anticipated barriers.
- UX/UI Analysis: To assess the real-life usability and accessibility of AI tools for both students and teachers in classroom settings.
- Social Media Assessment: this tool would be used to capture broader public discourse and perceptions around AI in the education sector, supporting an understanding of community acceptance.
- Evaluation Framework:
- OECD-DAC Evaluation Criteria: The study will incorporate global standards to assess relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. These criteria will serve as a framework for data collection and analysis, enhancing the rigor and utility of findings, and supporting actionable recommendations.
- Holistic Assessment:
- The research will ensure a broad examination of both technical and human-centered aspects of AI adoption in education.
- Phase 1 – Design & Preparation (Months 1–2): Desk review and tool development.
- Phase 2 – Data Collection (Months 3–6): 6 schools total (3 urban, 3 rural); surveys and focus groups with approx. 60 teachers, 90 students, 30 parents, and interviews with school admins and ministry officials.
- Phase 3 – Analysis & Drafting (Months 7–10): Thematic and descriptive analysis.
- Phase 4 – Validation & Finalization (Months 11–13): Internal review and stakeholder validation.
- Phase 5 – Dissemination & Strategic Integration (Months 14–16): Webinar, briefings, and strategic planning with national stakeholders to support integration into national education reform and AI strategies.
5. Ethics and Risks
The research institution / individual researchers must agree to and sign up for ARDD’s ethical guidelines and code of conduct.
The research presents medium to low risks. Concrete risks that could affect its execution concern any delay that might be caused due to the unavailability of ARDD staff, the research institution, or individual researchers. However, such risks are mitigated by the possibility of eventually adjusting the delivery date and keeping open channels of communication and follow-up.
6. Deliverables, duration and payments
The consultancy will have a duration of eighteen (16) months, starting in October 2025 to January 2027, with specific milestones and timelines to be agreed upon with ARDD, as outlined in the table below.
Objectives / Deliverables, Duration, Execution Period, Payments & Due Dates
- Inception Report – methodology, sampling, tools, workplan
- Expected Duration: Month 2
- Period of Execution: Month 2
- Payment: 20% (3,500 JD)
- Due Date: After ARDD approves the report
- Desk Review Summary – global and local trends, policy context
- Expected Duration: Month 3
- Period of Execution: Month 3
- Payment: —
- Due Date: —
- Interim Progress Note – data collection update
- Expected Duration: Month 6
- Period of Execution: Month 6
- Payment: —
- Due Date: —
- Final Feasibility Study Report – integrated analysis
- Expected Duration: Month 13
- Period of Execution: Month 13
- Payment: 40% (7,000 JD)
- Due Date: After ARDD approves the report
- Summary Recommendations Brief – tailored to key stakeholder groups
- Expected Duration: Month 14
- Period of Execution: Month 14
- Payment: —
- Due Date: —
- Internal Strategic Planning Memo – how findings inform pilot design
- Expected Duration: Month 15
- Period of Execution: Month 15
- Payment: —
- Due Date: —
- Stakeholder Dissemination Webinar + submission of all final documents, deliverables, and supporting materials
- Expected Duration: Month 16
- Period of Execution: Month 16
- Payment: 40% (7,000 JD)
- Due Date: After ARDD approves the final report and outputs
The following payment terms apply upon successful completion of the deliverables outlined above:
- The Research Institution / individual researchers will receive a total payment of (17,500 JD) according to the above schedule upon successful delivery of all tasks and final approval from ARDD’s Renaissance Strategic Center (RSC)and Management along with an official invoice from National E-Invoicing System of the Income and Sales Tax Department of Jordan (نظام الفوترة الوطني الالكتروني- الأردن) and payments will be processed by ARDD upon receipt of these documents.
- The research institution / individual researchers are responsible for covering any incurred local tax and transfer charges related to this contract.
7. Research Questions
- What is the current status of digital and infrastructural readiness in the selected schools?
- How do teachers and administrators perceive the integration of AI into teaching?
- What barriers or enablers exist at the school, policy, infrastructure, and community levels?
- How can AI tools be introduced in ways that support equity and engagement?
- What are the minimum technical, pedological, and policy conditions required to pilot AI tools effectively?
8. Responsibilities of the Research Institution / Individual Researchers:
- Design and validate research tools;
- Coordinate fieldwork and ensure ethical data collection;
- Ensure alignment with the agreed budget and maintain progress in line with the implementation timeline.
- Conduct analysis and present findings clearly;
- Organize and facilitate one dissemination event in coordination with ARDD;
- Work closely with ARDD and VHI’s program and policy team throughout the process ensuring alignment with the broader Project objectives and Outcome 3 priorities.
- ARDD will supervise the research outcome.
- Submit all agreed-upon deliverables and documentation, as outlined in the workplan, including but not limited to: the Inception Report, Desk Review Summary, Interim Progress Notes, Final Feasibility Study Report, Summary Recommendations Briefs, Internal Strategic Planning Memo, and any supporting tools, datasets, or materials produced during the research process.
9. Use of Findings
The study will inform:
- Strategic funding proposals for AI education integration;
- Dialogue with the Ministry of Education and tech partners;
- Contributions to local and regional discussions on EdTech innovation.
10. Qualifications/Experience
The selected research institution / individual researchers are expected to demonstrate the following qualifications, competencies, and track record:
- Proven institutional experience (minimum 2 years) for the research institution / individual researchers in conducting applied research, feasibility studies, or evaluation projects in the education sector, preferably with a focus on digital learning or AI integration in education.
- Documented expertise in educational research design, mixed-methods approaches, and the ability to conduct comprehensive data analysis (both quantitative and qualitative).
- Demonstrated experience in working with marginalized communities, and public education systems in Jordan.
- Solid understanding of policy analysis, education sector governance, and national reform frameworks in Jordan.
- Strong capacity of the research institution / individual researchers for conducting field research, stakeholder engagement, and participatory consultation processes in both urban and rural settings.
- A research team with multidisciplinary expertise (education, refuges, technology, social sciences, policy) including Arabic-speaking researchers.
- Good reporting, academic writing, and presentation skills in both Arabic and English.
- Commitment to research ethics, data protection, and confidentiality standards, in alignment with ARDD’s code of conduct.
- Ability to work independently, while maintaining regular coordination with ARDD and project partners.
- Flexibility to adapt research plans and methodologies in response to contextual changes or emerging findings.
11- Guidelines for Documentation
The final product must include accurate references for all sources, facts, and information used. All documents, reports, and materials developed under this assignment shall be considered the exclusive property of ARDD. These materials may not be shared, published, or used for any other purpose without ARDD’s prior written consent. Confidentiality must be maintained throughout and after the completion of the consultancy.
12. Data Management and Protection
The research institution / individual researchers shall ensure that all data collected, processed, and analyzed under this assignment is managed in accordance with the highest standards of data protection and research ethics. Specifically:
- All personal data, including but not limited to information collected from students, teachers, parents, or school staff, shall be anonymized and handled confidentially.
- The research institution / individual researchers must ensure secure storage of all data, whether digital or physical, and restrict access only to authorized personnel directly involved in the research.
- No data shall be shared, published, or used for purposes beyond this assignment without the prior written approval of ARDD.
- Upon completion of the assignment, all raw data, transcripts, analysis files, and related materials must be transferred securely to ARDD, and any copies retained by the research institution / individual researchers must be permanently deleted unless otherwise agreed.
- The institution / individual researchers shall comply with ARDD’s data protection protocols and adhere to relevant national and international standards on data privacy and research ethics.
How to apply
Candidates to apply via email : jobs@ardd-jo.org