Consultant for Public-Private Partnership in Preschool Education

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is the right of all children and a global commitment recognized by the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goal 4 with the objective to ensure that all boys and girls have access to quality early childhood education and care by 2030. While there have been significant gains and innovations in expanding access to preschool in Serbia, challenges remain.

In consultations with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MoESTD), Ministry of Finance and Prime Minister’s office, UNICEF has commissioned the study on public-private partnership (PPP) in preschool education to better understand models of PPP and whether such models are a feasible means of increasing preschool enrolment. This is especially because PPPs present an opportunity for government and local authorities to work with the private sector to expand coverage of the preschool education, but also raise important considerations about ensuring quality and equity. The study was developed in cooperation with the Oxford Policy Management Group and the main findings and recommendations were presented and discussed with the MoESTD. The next steps in terms of promotion of findings and recommendations are agreed.

Work Assignment Overview:

Through this consultancy, UNICEF will support the promotion of the findings and recommendations of the Feasibility Study on PPP in preschool education and build capacities of interested local self-governments (LSGs) for introducing the PPP. Main PPP study findings, along with the call for interested LSGs to participate in the peer-learning events, will be distributed in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

A peer learning event will be designed based on the PPP study findings and interviews with LSGs who have introduced voucher system in Serbia and private preschools from these LSGs. The format of the peer-learning events (face to face, online or blended) will be defined prior to its implementation, depending on the epidemiological situation.

Duration of the assignment: January – May 2022 (up to 30 workdays)

Detailed task description:

Task 1: Define methodology for promotion and peer learning on public private partnership between LSGs:

• Prepare and hold consultative online meetings with the representatives of three LSGs that have introduced the voucher system in Serbia to discuss the recommendations of the feasibility study and inform peer learning methodology.
• Prepare and hold group interviews with the representatives of private preschools benefiting from public- private partnership from the same LSGs to inform peer review methodology.
• Define the peer-learning event scenario in consultations with the MoESTD and UNICEF, based on the findings from the group interviews and the feasibility study on public-private partnership in preschool education.

Task 2: Enhance the capacities of interested LSGs for public-private partnership through promotion of the findings of the Feasibility study on PPP in preschool education and organising a peer learning event with the LSGs that introduced PPP in Serbia:

• Develop a public call for all LSGs to participate in the peer learning events, in consultations with the MoESTD and UNICEF.
• Prepare materials needed for the peer learning event.
• Facilitate up to 5 peer review events with LSGs interested in PPP and the LSGs that introduced the voucher system in Serbia.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Education, Pre-school Education, Early Childhood Development, Pedagogy, Psychology, Sociology, Special Pedagogy or other fields of Social Studies and Humanities.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in education, and in particular preschool education policy and practice in Serbia.
• Knowledge about local self-government functioning and financing.
• Experience in development and realisation of capacity building activities at the local level.
• Computer skills (MS Office - Word, Power Point, Excel, Internet).
• Fluency in Serbian language and good knowledge of English language.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Daily rate (all costs included, e.g. usage of mobile phone),
2. Daily travel allowance for overnight stay in Serbia (including accommodation),
3. Transportation costs per km (for travel within Serbia).

Important notes:

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

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

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.