International Consultancy to develop a Public-Private Partnership Framework Model for Early Childhood Education for Botswana, Gaborone Botswana, 75 working days (Remote/Work from Home)

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

There is an emerging global consensus that governments should invest in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a development priority. This consensus is based on the compelling scientific evidence that investment in ECD influences national development particularly in terms of the development of the human capital. Additionally, ECD has benefits that accrue at an individual and household level. Children who have had ECD experience are more likely to have more success in schools and be healthy adults. With the right level of stimulation and nutrition and better attainment of education these children are more likely to grow up as productive adults which will in turn benefit the household level and more likely to break the intergenerational poverty where this exists.

Over the last decade, the Government of Botswana has increased its commitment to ECD. This has been reflected through several national policy initiatives such as the Revised National Policy on Education, the National Health Policy, the Accelerated Child Survival and Development Strategy, the Children’s Act and in successive National Development Plans (NDP) – 9,10 and 11. The development of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy developed in 2001 was the first attempt for a broader perspective to ECD. The ECD Policy Framework was developed therefore to address the broader perspective of ECD. It was signed in March 2018.

The SDG 4.2 calls on states to ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality Early Childhood Development, Care and Pre-Primary Education to be ready for primary education. The country is still counted among those with low access, as most children still commence primary education without any prior preparation. The indicator requires equitable opportunities for all to promote lifelong learning. According to the 2011 Census, children in the age range 0-4 years who constitute part of the target group for ECD interventions account for 11.7 per cent of the population in Botswana. About 37 per cent of children have access to Early Childhood Education (ECE). ECD interventions target children in the age range of 0-5 years with children starting school at age five and a half years. It is, therefore, worth taking more strides to ensure that all children are provided with all possible opportunities.

The Government of Botswana has made significant progress in providing services for children. This has included comprehensive health care for pregnant women, infants, and young children. Much has also been done to strengthen child protection systems especially for orphans and other vulnerable children. In 2014, the Ministry of Basic Education introduced the ECE Programme into the mainstream by introducing the Reception Classes Programme in public primary school based on capacity and readiness. The programme is targeted towards children aged between 4 to 5 years; and is implemented for a one-year school calendar. It was expected that by 2018, the programme would have been gradually rolled out to all public primary schools. However, despite governmental efforts, it is still a challenge to reach all eligible children due to capacity and limited financial resources. To date the programme has been rolled out in 613 out of the 755 schools and enabling 25640 children to access ECE. Additionally, the government supports the expansion, improvement, and development of community based ECD services. However, it is not possible to reach all eligible children. This is due to capacity and limited final financial and structural resources.

Given the importance of early stimulation as a pre-requisite to school readiness, it is critical to increase access to quality ECD services and pre-primary education. There is an urgent need to enhance access and affordability to pre-school education primarily through the private sector's participation in economically disadvantaged and educationally deprived areas. Considering the current limited funding for the expansion of the programme for ages below 4 years, and the deficit that the government is operating on, it will take some time before all children are reached through the mainstream system.

On this note, the Ministry of Basic Education (MOBE) wishes to develop a framework that will guide engagement with the private sector and will look at exploring other options to ensure an increase in the number of opportunities for children to access ECE. The ministry wishes to establish strategic partnership with the private sector in expanding access to the ECE programme. Against this background, UNICEF seeks to engage an international consultant to develop an ECD Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model and Framework to support increased access to quality Early Childhood Education on behalf of the MOBE.

Work Assignment Overview:

The overall goal of the consultancy is to support the development of an ECD PPP Model and Framework including a costed action plan. The ECD PPP Model will be the operational document for Public and Private sector engagement and will therefore guide implementation and investment in ECD in Botswana.

Specifically, the Consultant in close coordination with UNICEF and MOBE will undertake the following activities:

1) In-person inception mission (where applicable) or virtual mission:

a. Undertake desk literature review and secondary data, including policy documents and relevant analytical studies and reports.

b. Review the literature and international best practices on engagement of profit and not-for-profit organizations in the provision of ECD services, outlining benefits and challenges of PPPs in ECD as well as factors for success.

c. Develop an inception report on initial considerations for introduction of the ECD PPP Model(s) (max 6-8 pages).

2) Development of ECD PPP Model(s) for Botswana:

a. Undertake stakeholder mapping to identify key stakeholders such as private sector, governmental and non-governmental (profit and not for profit) institutions and their roles and responsibilities in ECD. Assess the stakeholder coverage in terms of children reached and areas covered (urban-rural, different districts).

b. Propose a framework for partnership with the private sector in ECD service provision, including on performance monitoring, payment, definition of levels of quality and quantity of services and shared risk management.

c. Develop and present different viable options for private sector partnership to improve access and provision of ECD services for Botswana. Make a PPT for high level presentation to Parliament and Private Sector (max 5 slides).

3) Action Plan and M& E Framework:

a. Develop a costed action plan that details how the selected model(s) can be implemented. The consultant will draw from all the tasks outlined above to develop a costed action plan that includes a clear articulation of the implementation and coordination arrangements, key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to track progress over the implementation period, timelines and costings.

b. Develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework with appropriate instruments and tools, including clear guidelines for data collection and analysis to track progress on implementation of ECD Model(s).

c. Present a final report capturing the key findings and recommendation as per above deliverables and abridged report that will be used for high level dialogues.

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Payment schedule (%)

1. The Inception Report should outline in detail the overall research methodology and key research questions; timeline of activities and workplan; support needs and inputs by stakeholders.

Approved inception report

2 weeks

20%

2. Undertake a needs assessment and analysis on programme funding in line with government priorities and aspirations to reach SDG goals. Consultant is expected to undertake a mapping and analysis of private sector partners that currently offer ECD support, exist in the ECD landscape and those that have potential to support provision of ECD.

Approved report on the analysis of ECD provision in Botswana including needs assessment and analysis on programme funding report. Presentation of draft report to Government and Private sector for input (feedback and validation)

8 weeks

-

3. Develop and propose suitable funding model (s) for ECD provision in Botswana in close collaboration with private sector and government.

Draft ECD PPP funding model (s) for Botswana presented to Government and identified Private sector entities

3 weeks

30% (payment for 2&3)

4. Develop a costed action plan and M&E framework for implementation of the ECD PPP Model(s).

Approved costed action plan and M& E framework

1 week

20%

5. Finalize ECD PPP Model & Framework Final Report and executive summary for Parliamentary and Private Sector briefing.

Approved comprehensive ECD PPP Model report

1 week

30%

Note to Consultants

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.
4. Consultant will be required to complete online mandatory courses related to Ethics and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse during their contract period. They will also be required to do Security related trainings prior to taking up the assignment and/or travel.
5. Consultant will be required to sign the Health Statement for consultants/individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to submit proof that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.

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

• Educational Planning and Economics; Early Childhood Education; Consumer Science; Policy development and related fields. A Phd is an added value.
• Relevant experience in development of financial support models in similar countries (LMC/UMC).
• A minimum of 5 years practical experience in developing programme implementation plans, programme design or planning.
• Traceable experience in preparing quality government policy documents, implementation plans, strategy documents and reports will be an advantage. Practical experience in costing of national programmes or implementation plans.
• Experience with development of Programme Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Early Childhood Development will be an advantage.
• Ability to conduct research, synthesize large amount of data, and demonstrate analytical skills.
• Ability to work with various stakeholder groups, facilitating stakeholder meetings and consensus building.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively cooperate with Government and other stakeholders.
• Exhibit strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent inter-personal, communications skills, public presentation and advocacy skills.
• Computer literate. Experience with systems and applications relevant to the specific work area.

HOW TO APPLY

Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement online. Please indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above.

Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g. consultancy fee), quoted in USD

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.