INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY - MULTISECTORAL EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Consultant Programme & Policy

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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,

UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, 2022–2025, reflects UNICEF’s unreserved commitment to promoting the rights of all children, everywhere, as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It charts a course towards an inclusive recovery from COVID-19, the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the realization of societies in which every child is included, without discrimination, and has agency, opportunity and their rights fulfilled. The Strategic plan explicitly focuses on transformational systemic changes that are critical to addressing the underlying causes of children’s mortality, poverty, vulnerability, gender inequality and exclusion in all settings, including humanitarian crises and fragile settings: leveraging financing for children; supporting rights-based policies and legislation; market shaping and equitable access to essential supplies and services; brokering global partnerships for children; transforming the landscape of data on children; supporting families and parenting; and influencing social behaviours and norms.

Early childhood development (ECD) is widely recognized as being foundational for achieving the SDGs. This is the first time that ECD has been included on the global development agenda. The basic concept of ECD is based on neuroscience and behavioral research evidence that has been established over decades. The evidence helps to illustrate why ECD, 0-8 years of child’s life is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable societies. The social and economic cost of not taking actions to promote ECD is too high to afford for any country. Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) for ECD requires sustained investment in strengthening the capacity of government and partners to implement evidence-based strategies that accelerate the uptake of protective caregiving behaviours and norms. Good care practices within families and communities are critical to improve survival, growth and development of children. This necessitates parents and caregivers to be knowledgeable and aware of the importance of positive interactions, early stimulation and responsive environment that supports child’s emotional security and early learning. Strategies may include empowerment and innovative engagement of communities for adoption of positive care practices and attitudes including equitable parenting role to nurture a health and responsive parent-child relationship.

In Turkey, there are several important sectoral policies that pertain to the development of young children in the eight years of life, including the 11th National Development Plan. These policies have been playing and will continue playing a critical role in promoting young children’s survival, growth, protection, and development in the different sectors. However, no policy takes a holistic approach to promoting ECD, and the sectoral services are oftentimes not coordinated, and hence result in gaps in service delivery, in terms of accessibility and quality. The vulnerable groups, such as children living in extreme poverty, refugee children, children living in rural areas or in South and East regions, children without parental care, and children with disabilities, are particularly disadvantaged.

In a measure by the World Bank called the Human Capital Index, young children being born in Turkey today will be 65 per cent as productive when young children grow up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health. This is lower than the average for Europe & Central Asia region but higher than the average for Upper middle-income countries. Between 2010 and 2020, the HCI value for Turkey increased from 0.63 to 0.65.

According to the 2018 DHS (Turkey), around 75 per cent of 3–4-year-olds are developmentally on track in four key ECD domains, but this varies depending on the household’s socio-economic status and by regions. In general, the largest differentials in the proportions of children developmentally on track by background characteristics are in the literacy-numeracy domain. For example, only 8 per cent of children in the lowest wealth quintile are on track in the literacy-numeracy domain, as compared with 30 per cent in the highest quintiles. UNICEF together with Turkey Government aims to achieve 80 per cent target of ECD Index (ECDI) by 2025 and will measure this through the Child Profile household survey, which uses the new ECDI 2030.

UNICEF Turkey Country Programme 2021–2025 priorities Equitable ECD at the Outcome level. Output level of the CP suggests three areas for UNICEF Turkey programming: 1) Supporting the development and implementation of an integrated national strategy on ECD with related implementation mechanisms and adequate allocation of resources; 2) Improving access to and quality of education services, making them more inclusive for the most vulnerable young children; 3) Promoting nurturing care by parents and other caregivers (focusing on infant and young child feeding practices, immunization, early stimulation, positive discipline, and early identification and reporting of developmental delays). This priority (Equitable ECD) follows a successful reconciliation between ECD evidence base and public policy summarized in the so-called Heckman Curve, stating that the earlier the investment, the greater the return. With that, it is a positive outcome per se that the importance of investment in ECD is gaining more attention in Turkey, like for example new national target of mandatory five-year of preschool education for all children is set for 2023. However, the absence of an overarching strategic national document limits multisectoral coordination and optimal utilization of available resources.

UNICEF Turkey gained a momentum in starting a dialogue with the government on the positioning of ECD within the wider national development agenda. Thus, National Multisectoral ECD Strategy will serve as visionary strategic document and give direction on ECD for Turkey, ensure a holistic approach towards implementing ECD national priorities and address the gaps pertaining to young children wellbeing. Building on long-term partnership with the government and number of line ministries, where UNICEF has been a partner of choice, the partnership with the Presidency of Strategy and Budget (PSB) was successfully established, resulting in the commitment of the PSB to lead in the process of development of the National Multisectoral ECD Strategy.

The National Multisectoral ECD Strategy is expected to provide framework for Turkey for the period of 2024-2028. The document will include justification and rationality, socio-economic analyses, listed national priorities and areas of action, indicator-based results matrix, and implementation plan. The document will include financial components with evidence/justification of economic impact of successful and regular investments into ECD. It is important to spell out the linkages to demographic divident for Turkey and provide macro budget analysis of current public expenditure in ECD areas. The National Multisectoral ECD Strategy document will ensure equity, gender equality, human rights and inclusive approaches.

The Implementation Plan of the National Multisectoral ECD Strategy will effectively translate a vision for learning and quality improvement into practical steps for implementation. The Implementation Plan will outline detailed activities for a mentioned period of 5 years, with information on timing, roles, responsibilities, and costs. The Implementation Plan will be an integral part of ECD strategy. The process of the document development described under the Task 1. Deliverable description.

The preparatory work for development of the Strategy has started in 2021 while the Strategy should be drafted by the end of 2022; adopted and launched in March-April 2023.

UNICEF in partnership with PSB ensured that planning and development of the Strategy is done in a participatory manner and rigorous consultative process with main national stakeholders is in place. First, the qualitative ECD study is ongoing to ensure that opinions and experiences of main ECD services beneficiaries and providers are reflected. Second, UNICEF and PSB has established a national Task Force consisted of representatives from line ministries, such as MOH, MONE, MOFSS and civil society that serves as a consultative body for Strategy development. The rigorous consultative process is planned to ensure all stages of the drafting is done together with the government, though regular reviews of the Strategy’s drafts, governmental sectoral consultations, and regular working meetings. The consultative process related tasks described under the Task 2. Deliverable description.

UNICEF believes that by using participatory approach for planning and drafting processes of the Strategy will result in well-implemented ECD Strategy. The presence of Multisectoral ECD Strategy prepared in a participatory manner will help to establish a strong enabling environment for understanding, expanding, and implementing ECD services. To attain SDG 4.2 in Turkey, the ECD Strategy will make a significant contribution. At the national and local level, line ministries and other partners will coordinate their planning and delivery of ECD services through the most appropriate platforms (sectoral strategies and plans) for young children aged 0-8 years under the National ECD Strategy umbrella.

With the main purpose is to develop a comprehensive National Multisectoral ECD Strategy that will serve for expansion and strengthening of national measures and services for young children 0-8 y.o. to improve outcomes for children and society as whole, UNICEF Turkey seeks International Consultant and/or group of consultants with ECD policy/strategy/framework development experience, to lead the development, drafting and promoting National ECD Multisectoral Strategy.

How can you make a difference?

DESCRIPTION of the ASSIGNMENT

Lead the drafting of the National Multisectoral ECD Strategy document together with national team of ECD experts. Support policy dialogue with government through online and face-to-face consultations as part of the consultative process for the ECD Policy development.

Tasks

Deliverables**

TOTAL ESTIMATED PERSON DAYS TO COMPLETE THE

DELIVERABLES and

TENTATIVE* PERIOD/DEADLINE

1.

draft of the National Mutisectoral ECD Staregy document together with national team of ECD experts

Overall National ECD Policy document*

1. Abbreviations

2. Preface

3. Introduction (The science of ECD, importance, the burden of lack of investments, principles and aligning to international standards)

4. Multisectoral Strategy of Turkey for Early childhood development (ECD) 2023-2028 – justification, includes vision, goals, scope, strategic approach, national priorities, and targets, budget analyses)

4.1. Global and national targets for ECDs (narrative, commitment and adherence to global standards, elaborate macro level targets)

4.2. Priority areas (narrative explaining the priorities, linked to Nurturing care framework)

governance, roles, and responsibilities of stakeholders (narrative justifying the crossectorality and roles by priorities and importance of sectoral investments)

4.3. Communication and public information

4.4. Partnership and international cooperation.

4.5. Monitoring and evaluation (justifying that evidence is needed to monitor and evaluate progress and achievement of results)

5. Implementation Plan (or Action plan) (visual MATRIX with activity priorities, results, indicators, and targets using the simplified and streamlined UNICEF/WHO Nurturing care methodological tool, timeframe, costs and responsible agencies)

6. Financial justification

7. Glossary

8. References

35 working days, June-December, 2022

1.1.

Develop a workplan, inclusive of methodology for all deliverables, timeline/deadlines in close consultation with UNICEF responsible staff.

Inception report in English (maximum 10 pages)

5 working days, June 2022

1.2.

Elaborate draft “0” of the Strategy document and review/validate it with national stakeholders (task 2.1.)

Draft document submitted in English

10 working days, September 2022

1.3.

Elaborate draft “1st” of the Strategy document and review it with PSB

Draft document submitted in English

10 working days, October 2022

1.4.

Elaborate Final draft of the Strategy document (task 2.3.)

Final document submitted in English

10 working days, November 2022

Support strategy dialogue with governmental task force through online and face-to-face consultations as part of the consultative process for the ECD Staregy development.

Consilidated report from consultations (minimum 3 pages maximum 7 pages)

28 working days, August – November, 2022

2.1.

Organise and lead online consultation(s) with national stakeholders on the 0 and 1st drafts review of the policy document

Consultation(s) minutes with clear action points

10 working days, September-October, 2022

2.2.

Organise and lead online consultation(s) with national stakeholders on the final draft review of the policy document

Consultation(s) minutes with clear action points

5 working days, November, 2022

2.3.

Support the Final consultation with national stakeholders on the Implementation Plan of the Strategy to elaborate further partnership on ECD for 2024-2028 (linked to task 1.4.)

Consultation report minutes with clear action points inclusive off strategies for effective implementation, such as legalization of the policy through existing plans and normative framework; crossectorality; monitoring and evaluation; communication; (C4D); allocation of resources and PF4C.

5 working days in the country, November, 2022

2.4.

Support the Launch of the ECD Policy

Final consolidated report of the consultancy

3 working days in the country (1 day event), 23 of April 2022

Total

63 working days

*Delivery dates are tentative. Detailed time plan is required together with the technical proposal.

** Deliverables and its components maybe slightly reformulated upon signature of a contract.

*** The content of the strategy is a suggestion based on the UNICEF and government of Turkey consultations and may be a subject to change.

The international individual consultancy assignment will involve travel where appropriate.

UNICEF will regularly communicate with the consultant and provide formats for reports, feedback and guidance on performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the exercise, as well as remain aware of any upcoming issues related to the expert’s performance and

quality of work.

Overall supervision will be provided by the ECD Specialist and partially Social Policy Specialist of the UNICEF Turkey Country Office, with regular interactions with Deputy Representative.

Duration:

7 months (63 days, including two country missions of 5 working days and 3 working days).

Payment Schedule:

UNICEF will issue a contract in USD. The payment for the entire consultancy will take place in USD, will be done in instalments upon deliverables as per contractual agreement.

All-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs.

Reservations: UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the contract without a prior notice and/or withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if the rules and the regulations regarding confidentiality, ethics and procedures of UNICEF and the project partners are not followed, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

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

Minimum 15 years + of professional work experience in policy development, strategic planning, integrated and multi-sectoral approaches, monitoring and evaluation, preferably in the ECD area. PhD in Social Policy Strong knowledge of UNICEF ECD Programme Guidelines 2017 and UNICEF/WHO Nurturing care framework 2018. Previous experience in leading the development of an evidence-based Strategy/Policy would be a strong asset and advantage, with focus on ECD. Highly developed analytical and writing skills. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Fluency in spoken and written English Previous experience working with UNICEF is an asset.

Applications should be submitted in English and should include:

CV Cover Letter Financial Offer Technical proposal (described the plan how the consultancy will be conducted, max 10 pages).

Selection method:

All applicants will be screened against the qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

Criteria for technical evaluation

Max points

Having the academic qualifications as requested in the TOR

Max points: 20

Having the required work experience as requested in the TOR for social policy development

Max points: 30

Having the required work experience as requested in the TOR for ECD

Max points: 30

Maximum total points

Max points: 80

The financial proposals will be opened only for the candidates that reach or exceed fifty (50) points out of maximum seventy (70) points. Thirty (30) points will be awarded to the candidate that presented the lowest fee for the services requested. The remaining financial offers will receive proportional points ((lowest bid/bid) X 30 points).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

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