Consultancy Recruitment: Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Consultant to support development of ECEC Monitoring and Evaluation Framework in the Czech Republic (82 days December 2023

Contract

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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, A Champion

In September 2023, UNICEF launched a project ”Developing a Comprehensive Framework for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Early Childhood Education and Care in the Czech Republic” that aims to support the Czech Republic in raising the quality of and equitable access to early childhood education and care, particularly for the services for children aged 0 to 3 years, by developing an overarching monitoring and evaluation system and by providing technical support to municipalities in expanding access and raising quality of ECEC services, including for the most vulnerable. This project is funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by UNICEF in co-operation with the European Commission.

To inform development of monitoring and evaluation framework for ECEC in the Czech Republic, UNICEF in collaboration with national partners will support the Czech authorities in assessing the status of the ECEC sector, through conducting a mapping of supply and demand, undertaking a comprehensive analysis of monitoring and evaluation system and practices in the Czech Republic as well as good practices from other EU Member States.

UNICEF will support the development of the monitoring and evaluation framework for ECEC services for the children aged 0-3 years (children’s groups) and the proposals for a comprehensive, integrated framework for the monitoring & evaluation of all ECEC services (0-6 years). The framework (0-3 years) and the proposals (0-6 years) will be informed by the analysis of current practices and identified needs and gaps, as well as good practices in the Czech Republic and other EU Member States. The M&E framework will define the purposes, underlying values and principles of M&E and determine relevant tools, activities, and processes in line with the EU Quality Framework for ECEC and relevant indicators. To the extent possible, the framework (0-3 years) will be aligned with the existing M&E system of MOEYS for kindergartens (3-6 years), introducing the mechanisms (at national and local level) for effective M&E coordination between the currently split systems. The proposals (0-6 years) will define strategies, activities and processes for a more effective, comprehensive, and integrated M&E system focused on continuity of services for young children.

The international consultant will conduct the analysis of existing good practices of ECEC systems in other EU Member States focusing on (a) monitoring and evaluation, (b) decentralisation, and (c) effective models of cross-sectoral coordination within split ECEC systems; develop relevant recommendations and support UNICEF and its partners in developing the M&E framework and the Proposals for integrated M&E (0-6), as well as accompanying Guidance material on developing integrated data systems and oversight procedures. For successful completion of all tasks and timely submission of quality deliverables, the consultant will closely cooperate with MOLSA, the MOEYS, UNICEF Education/ECD teams (both in the Czech Republic and the Regional Office in Geneva), and the ECEC Working Group. The consultancy is based on the remote work, requiring traveling to the Czech Republic twice.

How can you make a difference?

ECEC Consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MOEYS) of the Czech Republic in developing an effective and comprehensive system for the monitoring and evaluation of ECEC (age 0-6 years) with the aim to increase the quality and access. The consultant will work under the supervision of Education and Early Childhood Development (ECD) teams in UNICEF Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic and in close collaboration with UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office and national partners. The consultant will cooperate closely with the key national partners of UNICEF in the Czech Republic to deliver on the specific assignments described in these terms of references.

Work Assignments Overview

Deliverables/Outputs

Delivery deadline

Review and analyse existing good practices of ECEC systems in other EU Member States focusing on (a) monitoring and evaluation, (b) decentralisation, and (c) effective models of cross-sectoral coordination within split ECEC systems.

Identify 3 EU member states with relevant good practices (1 for study visit and 2 for online exchanges).

Report on analysis of European good practices

30 days spread over 4 months (1 Dec 23 – 1 April 2024)

Note: 3 countries should be identified by 10th of January 2024

Support organizing and facilitation of two half-day online exchanges between the Czech authorities, ECEC working group and two other EU Member States.

Reports of online peer-exchanges

4 days (Feb-Mar 2024)

Support the national expert and research team in developing consolidated recommendations derived from: (a) The mapping of supply and demand (to be conducted by the national expert and research team). (b) The report on current M&E system and practices (to be developed by the national expert and research team). (c) The report on analysis of European good practices. The recommendations should aim to inform the development of the Framework for the M&E of ECEC (services for children aged 0-3 years, hereinafter referred as ‘Framework’) and the proposals for a comprehensive, integrated framework for M&E (services for children aged 0-6 years, hereinafter referred as Proposals), including recommendations relevant to the Preschool Care Concept (Policy document currently under development by MoLSA).

Consolidated recommendations to inform M&E Framework and Proposals, including relevant recommendations for Preschool Care Concept

15 days spread over 3 months (March-May 2024)

Based on the consolidated recommendations define the objectives of the M&E Framework and the Proposals in close collaboration with the national expert and research team and through consultations with the ECEC Working Group and develop an outline draft of the Framework and the Proposals, to include: • Purposes, values, and principles of M&E. • Recommendations on needed tools, activities, and processes. • Set of nationally customized indicators for national, municipal, and centre level in line with EU Quality Framework for ECEC (including the focus on process quality). • Strategies, activities, and processes for a more effective, comprehensive, and integrated M&E system focused on continuity of services for young children. • All other relevant topics.Finalized objectives of the Framework and the Proposals

Draft outline of contents of the Framework and the Proposals with brief overviews of chapters and identified linkages with consolidated recommendations.

12 days (May 2024)

Along with the national expert and research team, co-facilitate workshop with ECEC Working Group to: • Present the results of the analysis of European good practices. • Present consolidated recommendations for discussion and validation. • Present draft objectives of the Framework and the Proposals for discussion and validation.

Workshop report, including discussed and agreed points.

3 days (2 days for preparatory work, 1 day for in-person workshop in Prague) - May 2024

Review the draft Framework and Proposals developed by the national expert and research team and provide feedback for finalizing drafts.

Documented detailed feedback on draft Framework and Proposals

6 days (Aug-Sep 2024)

Along with the national expert and research team, co-facilitate validation workshops for the finalized drafts of the Framework and the Proposals.

Validation workshops report

4 days (2-day preparatory work, 2 days in person validation workshops in Prague in Sep-Oct 2024)

Develop an outline of the draft Guidance material on developing integrated data systems and oversight procedures based on the M&E framework (0-3 years), while ensuring alignment with the ongoing reform of the education management information system of MOEYS (under the Strategy for the Education Policy 2030), addressing: • Roles and responsibilities of national, regional, and municipal authorities (with a focus on increased decentralisation). • Processes, data flows and reporting mechanisms. • Oversight and supporting mechanisms and platforms

Outline of the Guidance material on developing integrated data systems and oversight procedures

5 days (Oct 2024)

Review and provide feedback on draft Guidance materials on developing integrated data systems and oversight procedures (developed by the national expert and research team ).

Documented detailed feedback on draft Guidance material.

3 days

(Nov-Dec 2024)

International Travel

Travel to Prague expected:

• 1 day (May 2024) • 2 days (Sept- October 2024)

(Note: Consultant may need to participate in study visit to one of the Member States, in which case travel costs will be covered)

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Education, Education policy, Early childhood education and care, early childhood development or other related fields
• A minimum of [8 years] of relevant professional experience in research, policy or technical assistance related to early childhood education and care.
• Demonstrated experience conducting comparative analysis of good practices/policies in education.
• Past experience in education/ECEC in the EU
• Strong knowledge of EU Quality Framework for ECEC
• Previous research or technical experience on ECEC M&E, particularly in upper middle income and high-income programming contexts
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required.

The consultancy is open to individual international applicants. Applicants are required to provide:

• A short cover letter, highlighting relevant experience with similar type of assignments (max 300 words).
• CV of the individual applicants
• Samples or links to at least 2 related pieces of work previously conducted by the consultant, must be provided in English.
• Technical proposal 2 pages maximum
• Financial proposal including number of days for undertaking the assignment, daily fee, travel costs. Travel costs will be pre-approved by UNICEF as per the UNICEF rules and regulations for travel for consultants i.e., irrespective of the distance and duration of the flight, most direct and economy flight ticket shall apply.
• The financial proposal should include all possible costs related to the implementation of the tasks under the present TOR including international, inter-city and in-city travel expenses and DSA. UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage. The financial proposal must be submitted in a separate file of non-editable format (e.g., PDF). Consultancy fees should be broken down to show the details for the below-mentioned deliverables. In case the bidder is a resident of Czech Republic, please indicate VAT amount separately in your Financial Offer or clearly state if you are non-VAT payer.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

• Completion of the UN/UNICEF mandatory trainings is obligatory upon commencement of the contract.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
• The Consultant will perform his/her duties in line with UNICEF standards and procedures.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants.
• Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

  The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.