Individual Consultancy to Develop a Public Private Partnership Strategy on Integrated Early Childhood Development in Rwanda, Kigali, 2.5 months

Contract

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Information:

Title of Assignment: Consultancy to Develop a Public Private Partnership Strategy on Integrated Early Childhood Development in Rwanda

Category of the Consultancy: National/ International

Proposed level of Consultancy: Middle Level

Section: Communications Advocacy and Partnership

Location: Remote/ specify the location

Duration: 2.5 months

Background and Purpose

In 2017, the Government commissioned the National ECD Program (NECDP) with the overall goal of reducing stunting through ECD. NECDP is also mandated to coordinate all programs related to ECD and nutrition to attain the desired child development outcomes on the premise that program integration is critical for holistic child growth and development. A child needs to receive comprehensive quality early care, stimulation and learning, health, nutrition, WASH and protection services to grow and develop to full potential. NECDP envision to increase children (0-6 years) access to ECD services from the current 17% to 75% by 2024. Similarly, it intends to reduce stunting from 38% to 19% during the same period.

To scale up the access of children 0 to 6 years to quality ECD services in the most optimum way, there is need to engage with a broader range of partners, including civil society organisations (CSOs) and the private sector. It is against this background that NECDP wants to develop a Public Private Partnership Strategy which will guide partnership in scaling up ECD services across the country.

The main purpose of this consultancy is to develop a Public Private Partnership Strategy for the Early Childhood Development and Nutrition sector. This strategy will provide a guide/framework for NECDP and its key partners to effectively engage with the private sector in order to scale up provision of integrated ECD services and rapidly reduce stunting.

Justification

This consultancy is timely as NECDP is looking to engage private sector through a shared value approach in provision of ECD services. This engagement can only be guided by an existing strategy that maps out potential partnerships and modalities of engagement

Objectives

This assignment will:

• Update the mapping on existing and potential partners in the private sector and civil society, including areas of work, comparative advantages and areas of mutual interest with NECDP.

• Explore private sector partnership opportunities in Rwanda and build a set of top prospects and industries with whom NECDP should focus and further engage with.

• Develop a public private partnership strategy that will guide all collaborations in ECD key pillars of nutrition, health, WASH, early care, learning and stimulation, child protection, parenting education. The strategy will be inclusive to include all key private institutions as well as all parents and children.

• Explore shared value aspects that can inform private sector engagement and investment in ECD and nutrition.

The individual consultant will develop a comprehensive strategy for Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

To achieve this, the consultant will develop a conceptual framework including a detailed methodology and work plan. He/she will prepare and present the strategy to be discussed with stakeholders and approved by NECDP, UNICEF and other ECD stakeholders. The specific deliverables will include:

1. Conceptual framework with the consultant’ interpretation of the ToRs, detailed methodology, and work plan.

2. A mapping report outlining the potential partners for NECDP e engagement and the existing partnerships in the field of ECD and Nutrition.

3. A draft PPP strategy highlighting the preliminary results for discussion with stakeholders.

4. A revised PPP strategy highlighting the results and recommendations and incorporating earlier comments of stakeholders for further validation.

5. A final PPP strategy in both English and Kinyarwanda incorporating all comments of the validation process including inputs from the NECDP advisory committee and Social Cluster meetings.

The assignment will be for 2.5 months with effect from the time of signing of the contract. The consultant will be responsible for setting up meetings with the appropriate government counterparts, district and community leaders, families, ECD centres and stakeholders working in the area of nutrition, hygiene, health care, support to children with disabilities and special needs, early learning, child protection, and parenting education. The draft and final reports will be shared with and validated by key stakeholders including the social cluster Ministries and agencies. The National Institute of Statistics, relevant civil society, private sector, academia and NGOs working in the area of child rights protection.

Evaluation Criteria

The Technical proposal is weighted at 70% and 30% for the Financial proposal.

Please note that the final remuneration will be negotiated by HR.

Payment Schedule

The consultant will be paid in three instalments are follows:

1. 30% of the contract amount after signing contract and delivery of an acceptable inception report with the consultant's interpretation of the ToRs, detailed methodology and work plan.

2. 40% upon delivery of an acceptable draft strategy to be presented to stakeholders.

3. 30% upon delivery of an acceptable final PPP strategy detailing the results and recommendations, incorporating earlier comments, overview of the strategy and reference materials.

NECDP can advise UNICEF to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

General Conditions: Procedures & Logistics

The consultancy will be supervised by UNICEF Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships team in collaboration with NECDP

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

• Education:

  • Advanced Degree in one of the following fields: Communications, Social Sciences, Public health, Business Administration and Management or related fields.

  • A first level University Degree in combination with significant private sector experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

  Experience:

  • Minimum five years of progressively responsible work experience in private sector partnerships, Corporate Social Responsibility or engagement strategies; preferably in Africa

  • Strong understanding and experience working with Government Ministries/Departments. Experience working with the UN will be an added advantage.

  • Experience in Eastern and Southern Africa Region and/or good knowledge of the development and private sector context preferably in Rwanda.

  • Strong planning, organising, and networking skills.

  • Strong communication skills, including writing skills, with a strong preference for knowledge and experience in writing for the UN, private sector, and public sector.

  Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

  • Knowledge of French and Kinyarwanda is an asset.

How to Apply

UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should send their complete Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc). or a CV/resume, as well as a cover letter explaining what makes them suitable for this consultancy.

Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest including a Technical Proposal outlining a road map for review and implementation timeline. In their letter of interest, candidates should highlight their previous work experience relevant to the assignment, the attributes that make them suitable, their proposed approach to the assignment.

The Selected candidates will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal outlining the total costs for this consultancy with payment linked to the main deliverables outlined above.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are...

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

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.