Early Childhood Development (Individual Consultancy - only for PNG nationals)

Consultant Programme & Policy

Overview

Seeking a consultant for the revision of the ECCD policy in PNG with a focus on ECD.

You have:

• An advanced university degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in education, preferably in early childhood development.
• Experience in gender-responsive ECD interventions and policy development.
• Proven experience in supporting GoPNG Departments in developing national policies and plans.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Previous work experience in UN agencies.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required.
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, Education.

With over 850 indigenous languages and one f the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference?

The ECD Consultancy is to provide technical support to the Office of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PMNEC) and National Office of Child and Family Services (NOCFS) in conducting a multi-sectoral review and revision of the 2007 Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) policy and support the operation of a government-led national multi-sector Early Childhood Development (ECD) committee.

The government’s commitment to realizing the Convention on the Rights of the Child is reflected in the PNG Vision 2050 goal for the country to become: smart, wise, fair, healthy, and happy society by 2050. The government has also made a firm commitment to ECD by endorsing the Pasifika Call to Action on ECD which includes a comprehensive package of support to children in their early years. This support for quality and holistic ECD is critical for building healthy brains of young children in PNG, establishing the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.

The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) policy (2007) aims to realize a society in which children in their early age from conception to age 6 have a caring, healthy and conducive environment across the board to grow up in before they reach primary school age. The policy creates awareness among different sectors to facilitate ECCD in PNG, promotes collaboration between relevant sectors towards the welfare and wellbeing of young children, and guides plans, programmes and activities geared towards ECCD in the country. The ECCD policy is outdated and needs to be revised by incorporating results from the latest international research and early childhood developments in PNG to ensure young children have the best start in life.

To strengthen ECD in PNG, an ECD Alliance was established in 2019 consisting of GoPNG Departments and Offices (Office of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council (PMNEC), Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), National Department of Education (NDoE), and NOCFS, Development Partners, Civil Society Organizations and private sector (Australian Government, UNICEF, Child Fund, Churches, Digicel, Oil Search Foundation, Save the Children in PNG, World Vision International, PNG Disability Council) to move forward the Pasifika Call to Action on ECD in PNG.

In agreement with the ECD Alliance and the NOCFS, UNICEF will engage a national ECD consultant to provide technical support in the revision of the ECCD policy and support the operation of a government-led national multi-sector ECD committee.

As a champion for every child, you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or another relevant technical field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in the field of education, preferably early childhood development; and national policy and planning processes related to education sector development.
• Experience in gender-responsive ECD interventions and policy development.
• Proven experience in supporting GoPNG Departments to develop national policies and plans.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the workplace;
• Previous work experience in UN agencies will be an asset.
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English required
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability.

This position is a short-term consultancy project and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization. For full Terms of Reference, you may email [email protected].

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.

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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or training).

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

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 6 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org