Deadline extended: National Individual consultancy to support ECD team in development of the formal and non-formal educational video materials and community mobilization activities under the

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, inspiration

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, advocacy, and in operations. UNICEF’s work in early childhood development (ECD) recognizes that every growing child need nurturing care, good health, optimal nutrition, and a stimulating and safe environment that offers plenty of support for early learning.

To respond to parents’ needs related to childcare and development, UNICEF Moldova launched the Bebbo app in May 2023 to reach and support parents of children, aged 0-6 years, with comprehensive, evidence-based information and interactive tools to cover a wide range of children’s health and development. The App is a ‘one-stop shop for parents and caregivers, covering: health; nutrition and breastfeeding; early learning; responsive parenting; protection and safety, and wellbeing of parents. The Bebbo application is a tool that helps and empowers parents to make the right decisions and encourages parents’ daily engagement in activities that support child development, covering all domains of early childhood development. It contains a wealth of information, tips and resources for parents, and is available in both Romanian and Ukrainian language.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the ECD Officer, and in consultation with Communication and SBC teams, the consultant will provide technical expertise and oversight of the promotion and strengthening of communication for ECE and ECD programs with specific focus on effective and efficient management of ECD advocacy and educational video materials and activities within the Lego Project at the national level.

The consultant will be responsible for the design, planning, management, implementation, and monitoring of, development of capacity building for educators, including educational video materials and community engagement for the Lego project, applying and promoting the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations.

1. Specific Tasks and Deliverables

The Consultant, under the direct supervision of the ECD Officer and in consultation with Communication Specialists and SBC Officer when required, will ensure the provision of services and products of the highest quality and standards. He/she will:

I. Develop a work plan with timeframe and deadlines for each deliverable to be presented under this specific ToR;

II. Support the ECD team in conducting the Informational Campaign on ECI:

• Coordinate with Ministry of Health and ensure distribution of informational materials (i.e. booklets, leaflets, etc.) in all 35 districts;
• Develop a concept-note on the participation of ECI experts in the TV shows/lives and provide support in participation of the experts at the TV shows/lives.

III. Support ECD team in conducting playful learning trainings during the period December 2023 – September 2024:

3. 3.

• Develop a concept note and plan of the training courses;
• Develop ToR for logistic services to ensure capacity building events for over 2000 educators;
• Coordinate the work of the capacity building events within the period January – September 2024;
• Ensure training materials and visibility materials at the event and their coordination with Lego Foundation;
• Develop the concept note and scripts of the educational video materials for the LEGO project and oversee the development of the following videos:

1. Educational Video 1: Play based learning develops children’s creativity;
2. Educational video 2: Play based learning develops children’s emotional skills;
3. Educational video 3: Play based learning develops children’s skills for the future;
4. Educational material 4: Play based learning is beneficial for children’s mental health.

IV. Support ECD team in creation of the social media community group of LEGO trainers on social media to support the new approach and sharing experience among new trainers focused on child-centred methodology, playful pedagogy and MHPSS:

4. 4.

• Develop a concept note on the social media community page;
• Create the community social media page that will contain methodology and lessons learnt on playful learning methodology;
• Coordinate the team of master trainers in sharing their experience on the group page and define ways of promoting it;
• Promotion of the community group among all early childhood education staff;
• Develop the content of the group and support/built capacities of the master trainers in developing the content and maintain alive the community page in the future.

V. Support ECD team in developing ECD/ECE learning platform

5. 5.

• Proofreading of the translated digitalized ECD content available at regional level (both ECD and ECE);
• Adapt and digitalize ECD content available at local level (both ECD and ECE).

VI. Support ECD and SBC teams in developing positive parenting programs

6. 6.

• Conduct a desk review of existing practices in Europe and Central Asia region and KAP Study to develop an evidence-based communication / social and behaviour change strategy and action plan to promote positive parenting in Moldova;
• Provide technical support in developing content materials and define the context for its implementation;
• Support provided to Implementing Partners in its piloting;
• Contextualize lessons learnt and required improvements of the training based on parents’ feedback.

VII. Support ECD team in promotion of the Bebbo app.

7. 7.

• Coordinate the implementation of the ongoing promotion campaign of Bebbo app.;
• Analyse the focus-group results and define new promotional campaign activities;
• Develop the next ToR for promotion of Bebbo app and coordinate its implementation;
• Based on lessons learnt develop and implement new strategic actions for Bebbo app promotion such a Public-Private Partnerships and others;
• Adjust the Bebbo content as per latest content management system info provided by Regional Office or local needs;
• Mainstream Bebbo promotion in various UN observances (i.e. breastfeeding week, parenting month, immunization week and mental health day).

VIII. Under ECD Officer coordination and in close collaboration with SBC and communication teams when required, the consultant will develop communication/visibility materials under other donor programs related to ECEC/education, such as:

• 8.

• Provide technical support to LPAs and Central Public Authorities, to ensure distribution of animated videos on child development, ECI and Bebbo app in health centres at national level and other relevant institutions visited by parents/caregivers with young children etc.

• Develop educational video materials on the impact of EDU Tech Lab for Moldovan and Ukrainian children;
• Develop educational video materials on the impact of provision of assistive technologies for children from Moldova and Ukraine.

XI. Final report for all deliverables/links of products and posts submitted to the supervisor.

2. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to the Early Childhood Development Officer, who will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide feedback and guidance on his/her performance and all other necessary support so to achieve objectives of the consultancy, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to consultant’s performance and quality of work. Deliverables related to visibility and communication will be consulted/coordinated with Communication and SBC teams prior to submission and approval to ECD Officer.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. The consultant is expected to deliver each component of the workplan electronically (in Word format) and in Romanian/English based on requirements.

3. Work location and official travel involved

The work can be done remotely, however office space might be provided when needed to ensure that related work activities are properly implemented. The work arrangement will be discussed and agreed between the consultant and supervisor of contract.

9. 9.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• University degree in communication, journalism, marketing, or any other relevant studies.
• At least 2 years of practical professional experience in communication, journalism, marketing or interactive digital media, content creation, and digital promotion campaign is required.
• 1 year experience in ECD/ECE area would be considered an asset
• Familiarity with Bebbo application and content management system will be considered an asset.
• Experience in organizing event’s management, conducting communication campaigns and content management system.
• Previous experience of working with UN and other development organization will be considered an advantage.
• Knowledge of photo/video editing, design and layout tools (i.e. Canva, Abode Rush, etc).
• Fluency in Romanian, as well as working knowledge of English and Russian is required.

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.

For more details on the consultancy assignment and requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

2023 TOR_Nat Indiv Consultancy_Lego_VA.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical Offer and Financial Offer (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.

Technical Offer_Lego Project.docx

Financial Offer_Lego Project.xlsx

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:

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

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.

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.