Individual Contractor – Support ongoing Early Childhood Education (ECE) initiatives, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO), Bangkok, Thailand, Job No

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 fulfilling 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 better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

The Education Section, UNICEF East Asia Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO) is seeking an individual consultant to support the ECE initiatives as well as the COVID-19 recovery agenda fosucing in foundational learning from the earliest years. More specifically: a) map the delivery of ECD programmes by COs in the region and come up with recommendations on how EAP COs could better support the delivery of integrated ECD; b) the early learning agenda, in particular the innovative financial mechanisms such as the Five Million Futures Initiative to scale up ECE; c) early learning and development assessments such as the use of formative assessment approach and tools for assessing the learning and development needs of preschool-aged children; d) advance in the region the ECE Accelerator Tool Kit and other global guidelines; e) the family-friendly policies and programming agenda mainly focusing on child care; f) support the agenda of early literacy and multi-lingual education in the region; g) promote the use of early learning and development recovery guidelines in the countries across the region for building the capacities of preschool/ECE teachers in planning quality teaching and learning practices; h) support in the development of the agenda related to financing for ECD policies and programmes including early learning and; i) development of regional goods for ECE and ECD.

The consultant will also contribute to EAPRO technical support on ECE to country offices; and support the preparation of EAPRO ECE and ECD annual report(s) and indicators.

Work Assignments:

The selected consultant will support the Education Regional Advisor and the ECD Regional specialist in the following:

• Support the mapping of ECD programmes delivery by COs in the region. This needs to include – a) the mapping of different approaches/models which are being applied by the COs to deliver ECD; and b) come up with recommendations on how COs could better support the delivery of integrated ECD.
• Support the country offices participating in the Five Million Futures Initiative to expand ECE in the EAP Region with the development and submissions of concept notes, revisions and analyses of documents for quality assurance. Lead the activities that the RO will have to implement based on models and guidelines from HQ. Follow up with HQ in the implementation of actions needed from RO and CO for process roll out during phase 1.
• Support the Regional Education Advisor and the ECD Specialist in the development of an overall regional position on early learning and development assessments where quality of services is also a key component. This activity entails desk review of existing development, early learning and quality measurements and assessments in the region, followed by strategy development to guide COs. This position will leverage current efforts existing in the region for development of these tools and motivate other countries to start working towards these measurements, advancing the agenda of the early years towards achieving SDGs.
• Support the development/adaptation of regional ECE formative assessment package and plan its rollout (technical support to country offices with adaptation, capacity development etc.)
• Support the Regional Education Advisor and the ECD Specialist in the effective roll out of the ECE Accelerator Toolkit, in particular in advancing actions to support interested COs in adapting and using the toolkit in their contexts, including design as well as support to deliver the in-country trainings.
• Support the Regional ECD Specialist, in its collaboration with Social Policy and the Children’s Rights and Business sections, in leading the Family-Friendly policies agenda, including the development of a regional mapping, the provision of technical advice to country offices, and other activities as needed, for the effective design and implementation of country-led initiatives with governments and businesses, as well as resource mobilization for COs. This responds to the global responsibility given to ECD in UNICEFs latest Strategic Plan, to report and coordinate efforts in the Regional Offices aligned around this important topic.
• Support the agenda of early literacy and multi-lingual education in the region. This needs to focus on identifying the challenges and prospects for developing guidance around policies and strategies for teaching and learning of early literacy and multilingual education in the varied language contexts in EAP countries.
• Promote the use of early learning and development recovery guidelines in the countries across the region, particularly in providing technical support to the countries in adaptation of the guidelines and capacity development of preschool/ECE teachers
• Support the ECD regional specialist in its collaboration with Social Policy to advance the agenda on public financing for children in what is relevant to policies and programmes for young children and their families.
• SharePoint and files are updated monthly; and all requests form country offices, HQ and internal and external partners are tracked and follow up on assigned topics.
• All requests for develop issue briefs, summary reports, case studies and guidance notes on varied topics are concluded on time and with quality.
• The development and follow up of at least 3 fundraising proposals are supported.
• EAPRO ECD annual report, COVID-19 Response related reports, and revision of relevant indicators is achieved on time and with quality.
• Selected EAPRO efforts to collect and monitor data and evidence from the field is supported as requested.

Work Schedule

Date:

Product:

December 2022 - March 2023

• Support the mapping of ECD programme delivery by COs in the region on understanding how COs could better support the delivery of integrated ECD. The consultant will design the methodology and conduct the mapping for planning further support to the COs.
• Support the Country Offices participating in the Five Million Futures Initiative to expand ECE in the EAP Region with the development and submissions of concept notes, revisions and analyses of documents for quality assurance. Lead the activities that the RO will have to implement based on models and guidelines from HQ. Follow up with HQ in the implementation of actions needed from RO and CO for process roll out during phase 1.
• Support regional mapping, provide technical advice to country offices and other activities as needed for the effective design and implementation of country-led Family-Friendly Policies with governments and businesses, as well as resource mobilization for COs in close collaboration with Social Policy and Children’s Rights and Business sections.
• Roll out the ECE Accelerator Tool Kit in the region in order to advance the agenda in the region. Specifically, the consultant will advance the actions needed to support interested COs in adapting and using the toolkit in their contexts, including design as well as support to deliver the in-country trainings.
• Support the development of TOR for financing for ECD concept note, mapping of initiatives in the region, determining needs for capacity building tools
• SharePoint and files are updated monthly; and all requests from country offices, HQ and internal and external partners are tracked and follow up on assigned topics.
• All requests for develop issue briefs, summary reports, case studies and guidance notes on varied topics are concluded on time and with quality.
• The development and follow up of at least 1 fundraising proposal is supported.

April-July 2023

• Desk review of existing development, early learning and quality measurements and assessments in the region in order to develop a position from RO based on a state of the art of the issue. This will be followed by a strategy to develop a tailor made response to CO needs on this topic.
• Promote the use of early learning and development recovery guidelines in the countries across the region, particularly in providing technical support to the countries in adaptation of the guidelines and capacity development of preschool/ECE teachers.
• SharePoint and files are updated monthly; and all requests from Country Offices, HQ and internal and external partners are tracked and follow up on assigned topics.
• All requests for develop issue briefs, summary reports, case studies and guidance notes on varied topics are concluded on time and with quality.
• The development and follow up of at least 1 fundraising proposal is supported;
• EAPRO ECD annual report, COVID-19 Response related reports, and revision of relevant indicators is achieved on time and with quality.

August- December 2023

• Support the agenda of early literacy and multi-lingual education in the region. This needs to focus on identifying the challenges and prospects for developing guidance around policies and strategies for teaching and learning of early literacy and multilingual education in the varied language contexts in EAP countries.
• Support the development/adaptation of regional ECE formative assessment package and plan its rollout (technical support to country offices with adaptation, capacity development etc.)
• Selected EAPRO efforts to collect and monitor data and evidence from the field is supported as requested.
• SharePoint and files are updated monthly; and all requests from Country Offices, HQ and internal and external partners are tracked and follow up on assigned topics.
• All requests for develop issue briefs, summary reports, case studies and guidance notes on varied topics are concluded on time and with quality.

• The development and follow up of at least 1 fundraising proposal is supported;

  Deliverable: Submission of monthly progress reports.

Duration of Contract: 15 December 2022 – 1 December 2023 (11.5 Months)

Official Travel: Travel may be required to regional countries previous coordination with the Regional Education Advisor.

Work Location: The consultant will be based in Bangkok, and efforts will be made to allocate a space in the regional office but consultant will also work from home. Space is not always guaranteed, so arrangements must be in place with supervisor for efficient teleworking. The arrangement on the consultant’s working dates in the office will be discussed and in agreement with the supervisor. Regular supervisory meetings will be held with the Regional ECD Specialist.

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

- Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Education or other related field.

- Mínimum 5 years of experience working in international development or any other UN agencies.

- Fluent in English.

- A good understanding of Education and ECD indicators, policies and tools is needed.

- A good understanding of Education Sector Planning, learning and development assessments is needed.

- Previous experience working in issues relating to Early Childhood Development, Education/Early Learning.

- Strong experience in program/results management, monitoring and reporting.

- Excellent interpersonal skills and previous experience communicating with partners at different levels.

- Demonstrated ability in work planning and report preparation.

- Demonstrated skills in professional high quality writing in English.

- Experience working in the East Asia Pacific region highly desirable.

- Experience working for a United Nations organization an asset.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV or P-11, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed monthly professional fee in USD by 27 October 2022****.

FORM P11.doc

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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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.

UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.