Early Childhood Education Consultant (OPENED FOR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS ONLY) 150 views0 applications


UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child,

Background and Justification

Over the last year, UNICEF Headquarters, in consultation with its regional offices, developed a Pre-Primary Sub-Sector Conceptual Framework to support countries in strengthening their pre-primary sub-sectors. The framework suggests that an effective pre-primary education sub-sector requires strong national policies, coordination and monitoring frameworks, relevant financial trade-offs, ministerial leadership, and public demand for early education services. Investment and support in five key action areas are crucial to build a coherent sub-sector that can deliver quality services at scale, namely:

(1) planning,

(2) curriculum,

(3) workforce,

(4) family and community engagement, and

(5) quality assurance.

UNICEF is committed to elevating the priority and status of pre-primary education by ensuring that pre-primary education is systematically integrated in Education Sector Planning processes. As part of these efforts, UNICEF HQ Education Section was recently awarded a Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant to support the development and piloting of a comprehensive approach/toolkit to in-country capacity development for pre-primary education in a small number of countries (Better Early Learning and Development at Scale Initiative). This will involve piloting a capacity development process that consolidates existing or new effective approaches, tools and models for integrating pre-primary education meaningfully into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles. The work aims to explore and resolve common planning and implementation challenges hampering the pre-primary sub-sector. Lesotho was selected as one of the pilot countries of the BELDS initiative.

The consultancy aims to support Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in building an understanding of the key elements of a coherent pre-primary sub-sector and integrating pre-primary education into the country Education Sector Plan (ESP). As part of this overall objective, the consultancy will support the MoET with the activities under the BELDS Initiative. Lesotho is in the process of updating its Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and Action Plan (2020-2025), with the support of the World Bank. There is thus an opportunity under BELDS to ensure that a targeted process is developed for integrating early childhood education into the ESP, complemented with capacity building at the national and sub-national levels.

The MoET is also currently updating their Education Management Information System (EMIS) and developing an EMIS roadmap and implementation plan. This is a significant opportunity to ensure that ECE monitoring is strengthened across Lesotho.

The consultancy will involve overall technical support to the MoET with integrating pre-primary education into ESP processes, as well as the overall coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities under BELDS which will include support the incorporation of pre-primary into the EMIS implementation plan.

Technical assistance on integration of ECE into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles will include developing a workplan with specific goals and activities under the BELDS initiative, focusing on addressing capacity gaps across system levels in terms of effective planning and implementation of ECE, participation at cross-country peer learning and mentorship events (ex. webinars, workshops, cross-country visits) and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of current ECE activities in Lesotho. It is to be noted that the consultancy addresses the overarching aim of supporting the MoET with strengthening the pre-primary sub-sector and ensuring that pre-primary education is well reflected in national ESP processes, with BELDS activities being an important piece under this broader objective.

Scope of Work

Goal and Objective: The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the MoET in Lesotho on integrating pre-primary education into ESP processes, as well as the overall coordination, of planning, implementation, documentation, monitoring and reporting of the activities under BELDS. The consultancy also aims to support MoET on improving monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance of the early learning and school readiness through their education management information systems and processes.

The consultant will work in collaboration with the MoET and other key stakeholders on the following key tasks:

  • Technical guidance to MoET on integrating ECCE into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles, including supporting the activities under BELDS:
  • Design and development of ECE plan with the broader ESSP and Action Plan;
  • Develop a capacity building plan to strengthen the capacity in ECE at national and sub-national levels;
  • Overall coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of the BELDS activities;
  • Coordinate with and support UNICEF HQ with documenting Lesotho process and experience under BELDS, with the view of developing a case study;
  • Technical inputs and participation at peer-to-peer events and sharing of experiences (workshop/webinars, etc.)
  • Participation in technical consultation meetings, advocacy and policy dialogue, including participation in the IECCD multisectoral coordination meetings and Local Education Group Meetings;
  • Support the MoET in ensuring the monitoring and evaluation framework and budget of the overall ESP addresses the ECE plan adequately
  • Ensure that ECE is effectively incorporated into the EMIS implementation plan
  • Liase with UNICEF Lesotho colleagues, UNICEF Regional Office (Eastern and Southern Africa), and UNICEF HQ, regularly and as necessary to ensure the effective implementation of BELDS activities.
  • Support to the UNICEF ECD Specialist in roll out of the #EarlyMomentsMatter Campaign at national and sub national levels
  • Other duties upon request and upon mutual agreement related to consultancy objectives.

Work relationships: The consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF Chief of Basic Education and Adolescent Development but will be working closely with the UNICEF ECD Specialist and the MoET, particularly the Director of Planning and the Head of the ECCD Unit.

Outputs/Deliverables:

Ref

Key Tasks

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Inception report outlining a work plan and timeline for implementation of BELDS activities, informed by inception workshop, TOR and discussion with the UNICEF Country office and MOET

Inception report

May 2019

2

Work with MoET in identifying capacity gaps in ECE and technical assistance needs across the system and levels of government

Capacity development plan (with clear objectives, activities, timelines and associated costs)

May-June 2019

3

Support with the development of an ECE plan within the broader ESP

ECE Plan

ESSP incorporating ECE (including M&E framework and budget)

May August 2019

4

Work with EMIS consultant to ensure that ECE is effectively integrated into EMIS implementation plan

EMIS implementation plan incorporating ECE

May 2019 January 2020

5

Support implementation of capacity development plan and other BELDS activities

OpenEMIS investment case

April 2019 – January 2020

6

Support UNICEF HQ to document BELDS process and activities and summarize lessons learned.

Report on in country activities under BELDS

February 2020

Payment schedule

An initial payment of 10 per cent of the value of the contract will be made following the approval of an inception report outlining a work plan and timeline for implementation of activities, informed by TOR and discussion with the Country office. Subsequently, monthly payments will be issued based on the approval of the monthly implementation report by the Ministry and UNICEF. The monthly implementation report will summarize progress on the implementation of planned activities during the month. It should also highlight challenges, recommendations and suggest the work plan for the next month. The final payment will be linked to a full implementation report of the consultancy. This report will document key progress and achievements, challenges and recommendation for the way forward.

Desired profile

  • A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field.
  • A minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of education, educational policies and reform in the educational sector (preferably in early childhood education), as well as experience with education sector planning processes;
  • Familiarity with new educational development trends and socio-economic reforms,
  • Previous work/experience with similar projects;
  • Experience in work with international organizations and consultants;
  • Knowledge of UNICEF priorities would be an asset;
  • Good writing and communication skills;
  • Experience and ability to work in a team.
  • Strong analytical skills

Administrative issues

  • The consultant will be engaged full-time and is expected to be based in Maseru. All travel required for this contract should be quoted for in the financial proposal based on economy class air fares.
  • The consultant will provide own lap top and cell phone.
  • The consultant will be provided with working space in the UNICEF Lesotho country office but a significant proportion of the consultant time will be spent at the MoET which is walking distance from the UNICEF office. Consultant can perform the work from home, however the will be days that he/she will be required to be in the office.
  • During the contract period, the consultant is expected to travel within the country. There will be approximately one field visit per month. The Lesotho Country Office will cover costs of national travel to project sites, but this will not include living allowance which should be included in the financial proposal.

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=520993. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above. Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (including administration and logistics).

Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

More Information

  • Job City Maseru
  • This job has expired!
Share this job


UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education.

UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights—especially the most disadvantaged.

The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations (UN) programme headquartered in New York City that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. It is one of the members of the United Nations Development Group and its executive committee.

UNICEF was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 11 December 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. The Polish physician Ludwik Rajchman is widely regarded as the founder of UNICEF and served as its first chairman from 1946. On Rajchman's suggestion, the American Maurice Pate was appointed its first executive director, serving from 1947 until his death in 1965. In 1953, UNICEF's mandate was extended to address the needs of children in the developing world and became a permanent part of the United Nations System. At that time, the words "international" and "emergency" were dropped from the organization's name, making it simply the United Nations Children's Fund, or popularly known as "UNICEF".

UNICEF relies on contributions from governments and private donors, UNICEF's total income for 2008 was US$3,372,540,239. Governments contribute two-thirds of the organization's resources. Private groups and some six million individuals contribute the rest through national committees. It is estimated that 92 per cent of UNICEF revenue is distributed to programme services.UNICEF's programmes emphasize developing community-level services to promote the health and well-being of children. UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965 and the Prince of Asturias Award of Concord in 2006.

Most of UNICEF's work is in the field, with staff in over 190 countries and territories. More than 200 country offices carry out UNICEF's mission through programmes developed with host governments. Seven regional offices provide technical assistance to country offices as needed.

Connect with us
0 USD Maseru CF 3201 Abc road Contract , 40 hours per week United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child,

Background and Justification

Over the last year, UNICEF Headquarters, in consultation with its regional offices, developed a Pre-Primary Sub-Sector Conceptual Framework to support countries in strengthening their pre-primary sub-sectors. The framework suggests that an effective pre-primary education sub-sector requires strong national policies, coordination and monitoring frameworks, relevant financial trade-offs, ministerial leadership, and public demand for early education services. Investment and support in five key action areas are crucial to build a coherent sub-sector that can deliver quality services at scale, namely:

(1) planning,

(2) curriculum,

(3) workforce,

(4) family and community engagement, and

(5) quality assurance.

UNICEF is committed to elevating the priority and status of pre-primary education by ensuring that pre-primary education is systematically integrated in Education Sector Planning processes. As part of these efforts, UNICEF HQ Education Section was recently awarded a Global Partnership for Education (GPE) grant to support the development and piloting of a comprehensive approach/toolkit to in-country capacity development for pre-primary education in a small number of countries (Better Early Learning and Development at Scale Initiative). This will involve piloting a capacity development process that consolidates existing or new effective approaches, tools and models for integrating pre-primary education meaningfully into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles. The work aims to explore and resolve common planning and implementation challenges hampering the pre-primary sub-sector. Lesotho was selected as one of the pilot countries of the BELDS initiative.

The consultancy aims to support Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in building an understanding of the key elements of a coherent pre-primary sub-sector and integrating pre-primary education into the country Education Sector Plan (ESP). As part of this overall objective, the consultancy will support the MoET with the activities under the BELDS Initiative. Lesotho is in the process of updating its Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and Action Plan (2020-2025), with the support of the World Bank. There is thus an opportunity under BELDS to ensure that a targeted process is developed for integrating early childhood education into the ESP, complemented with capacity building at the national and sub-national levels.

The MoET is also currently updating their Education Management Information System (EMIS) and developing an EMIS roadmap and implementation plan. This is a significant opportunity to ensure that ECE monitoring is strengthened across Lesotho.

The consultancy will involve overall technical support to the MoET with integrating pre-primary education into ESP processes, as well as the overall coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of the activities under BELDS which will include support the incorporation of pre-primary into the EMIS implementation plan.

Technical assistance on integration of ECE into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles will include developing a workplan with specific goals and activities under the BELDS initiative, focusing on addressing capacity gaps across system levels in terms of effective planning and implementation of ECE, participation at cross-country peer learning and mentorship events (ex. webinars, workshops, cross-country visits) and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of current ECE activities in Lesotho. It is to be noted that the consultancy addresses the overarching aim of supporting the MoET with strengthening the pre-primary sub-sector and ensuring that pre-primary education is well reflected in national ESP processes, with BELDS activities being an important piece under this broader objective.

Scope of Work

Goal and Objective: The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the MoET in Lesotho on integrating pre-primary education into ESP processes, as well as the overall coordination, of planning, implementation, documentation, monitoring and reporting of the activities under BELDS. The consultancy also aims to support MoET on improving monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance of the early learning and school readiness through their education management information systems and processes.

The consultant will work in collaboration with the MoET and other key stakeholders on the following key tasks:

  • Technical guidance to MoET on integrating ECCE into national education sector planning and policy implementation cycles, including supporting the activities under BELDS:
  • Design and development of ECE plan with the broader ESSP and Action Plan;
  • Develop a capacity building plan to strengthen the capacity in ECE at national and sub-national levels;
  • Overall coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of the BELDS activities;
  • Coordinate with and support UNICEF HQ with documenting Lesotho process and experience under BELDS, with the view of developing a case study;
  • Technical inputs and participation at peer-to-peer events and sharing of experiences (workshop/webinars, etc.)
  • Participation in technical consultation meetings, advocacy and policy dialogue, including participation in the IECCD multisectoral coordination meetings and Local Education Group Meetings;
  • Support the MoET in ensuring the monitoring and evaluation framework and budget of the overall ESP addresses the ECE plan adequately
  • Ensure that ECE is effectively incorporated into the EMIS implementation plan
  • Liase with UNICEF Lesotho colleagues, UNICEF Regional Office (Eastern and Southern Africa), and UNICEF HQ, regularly and as necessary to ensure the effective implementation of BELDS activities.
  • Support to the UNICEF ECD Specialist in roll out of the #EarlyMomentsMatter Campaign at national and sub national levels
  • Other duties upon request and upon mutual agreement related to consultancy objectives.

Work relationships: The consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF Chief of Basic Education and Adolescent Development but will be working closely with the UNICEF ECD Specialist and the MoET, particularly the Director of Planning and the Head of the ECCD Unit.

Outputs/Deliverables:

Ref

Key Tasks

Deliverables

Timeline

1

Inception report outlining a work plan and timeline for implementation of BELDS activities, informed by inception workshop, TOR and discussion with the UNICEF Country office and MOET

Inception report

May 2019

2

Work with MoET in identifying capacity gaps in ECE and technical assistance needs across the system and levels of government

Capacity development plan (with clear objectives, activities, timelines and associated costs)

May-June 2019

3

Support with the development of an ECE plan within the broader ESP

ECE Plan

ESSP incorporating ECE (including M&E framework and budget)

May August 2019

4

Work with EMIS consultant to ensure that ECE is effectively integrated into EMIS implementation plan

EMIS implementation plan incorporating ECE

May 2019 January 2020

5

Support implementation of capacity development plan and other BELDS activities

OpenEMIS investment case

April 2019 - January 2020

6

Support UNICEF HQ to document BELDS process and activities and summarize lessons learned.

Report on in country activities under BELDS

February 2020

Payment schedule

An initial payment of 10 per cent of the value of the contract will be made following the approval of an inception report outlining a work plan and timeline for implementation of activities, informed by TOR and discussion with the Country office. Subsequently, monthly payments will be issued based on the approval of the monthly implementation report by the Ministry and UNICEF. The monthly implementation report will summarize progress on the implementation of planned activities during the month. It should also highlight challenges, recommendations and suggest the work plan for the next month. The final payment will be linked to a full implementation report of the consultancy. This report will document key progress and achievements, challenges and recommendation for the way forward.

Desired profile

  • A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field.
  • A minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of education, educational policies and reform in the educational sector (preferably in early childhood education), as well as experience with education sector planning processes;
  • Familiarity with new educational development trends and socio-economic reforms,
  • Previous work/experience with similar projects;
  • Experience in work with international organizations and consultants;
  • Knowledge of UNICEF priorities would be an asset;
  • Good writing and communication skills;
  • Experience and ability to work in a team.
  • Strong analytical skills

Administrative issues

  • The consultant will be engaged full-time and is expected to be based in Maseru. All travel required for this contract should be quoted for in the financial proposal based on economy class air fares.
  • The consultant will provide own lap top and cell phone.
  • The consultant will be provided with working space in the UNICEF Lesotho country office but a significant proportion of the consultant time will be spent at the MoET which is walking distance from the UNICEF office. Consultant can perform the work from home, however the will be days that he/she will be required to be in the office.
  • During the contract period, the consultant is expected to travel within the country. There will be approximately one field visit per month. The Lesotho Country Office will cover costs of national travel to project sites, but this will not include living allowance which should be included in the financial proposal.

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.

The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=520993. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above. Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (including administration and logistics).

Applications submitted without a financial proposal will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

2019-04-20

NGO Jobs in Africa | NGO Jobs

Ngojobsinafrica.com is Africa’s largest Job site that focuses only on Non-Government Organization job Opportunities across Africa. We publish latest jobs and career information for Africans who intends to build a career in the NGO Sector. We ensure that we provide you with all Non-governmental Jobs in Africa on a consistent basis. We aggregate all NGO Jobs in Africa and ensure authenticity of all jobs available on our site. We are your one stop site for all NGO Jobs in Africa. Stay with us for authenticity & consistency.

Stay up to date

Subscribe for email updates

March 2024
MTWTFSS
« Jan  
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
RSS Feed by country: