Lifelong Learning Technical Support Individual Contractor for UNICEF Belize
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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, Education
Having access to quality early learning and education opportunities is a foundation for the guarantee of children’s success in life. Still, children in Belize fail to realize this right as relevant educational opportunities should be maintained until compulsory education is completed. The Lifelong Learning (LLL) programme contributes to the realization of the rights of children and adolescents in Belize, especially the most disadvantaged, to quality, holistic and relevant Early Childhood Development (ECD) and lifelong learning. Disparities commence from early childhood where the MICS 2015 reported 15% stunting rate in the country with only 52% boys and 58% girls aged 36-59 months in Belize attending an organized, early childhood education programme and 12% are not developmentally on track in three out of the four domains. Of the children attending primary and secondary schools, many have challenges to access of quality learning or end up dropping out. The Education Abstract of Statistics 2018/2019 records that primary school completion rate is at 92% and the secondary completion rate is at 69%. These disparities are further highlighted in the most disadvantaged areas such as in rural Toledo where of the 55 primary schools in the district, 70% are in indigenous Maya communities.
The Belize Out of School Study (2018) indicated that in 2015, 9.48% of children of lower secondary school age were out of school, equivalent to 3901 persons. Of these, 2278 completed grade 8 but did not continue further in lower secondary. OOSC of lower secondary school age who completed grade 8, comprise 58.38% of all OOSC of lower secondary age. The impact of COVID 19 is now adding to the many factors associated with lack of school completion including poverty, disability, late entry and inadequate preparation for primary, along living in rural areas.
Humanitarian assistance was provided in vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic and the hurricane/flooding disasters. Schools remain close since March 2020, but humanitarian assistance was provided to school aged children and their families in most affected communities. Approximately 1970 hygiene kits were distributed to families, impacting over 4925 children. An additional 1800 boys and girls received MHM information booklets through the SCFM.
Data is from the MOE estimates showing that approximately over 60,000 students (from preschool to secondary school) accessed home-based learning resources during school closure caused by the pandemic. UNICEF directly supported the MoE with print-based lessons, radio lessons and video lessons, through a television/radio show produced with psychosocial support segments. The highest estimates for print based lessons are used. There can be a duplicate of the students reached with print, radio and video lessons so the highest estimate is best used for reporting.
In consultation with national stakeholders from the government, educational institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), and Civil Society Organizations (CSO), the Lifelong Learning outcome ensures a gender-perspective and human rights based approach to inclusive, integrated social services across the life cycle, from maternal, child health interventions through quality early childhood development to relevant pre-schooling, primary and secondary education for lifelong learning skills. The ministries with responsibilities for education, health and human development primarily lead the development of an integrated ECD service system, targeting supports and services, across the key sectors and levels of government, including non-government agencies. Within this programme, UNICEF works with partners to identify and address inequities, build capacities, and knowledge for the full implementation of ECD and education policies and services, including for children with disabilities and their families, also in the times of emergencies.
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.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the UNICEF ECD and Education Officer, the consultant will provide support in the implementation of early childhood development and strengthening of quality child friendly schools across the lifecycle including in emergencies. This includes:
- Technical support to the review of policies and strategic planning documents that are relevant for the development of a new National ECD Strategic Plan and the ECD/Education outcome for the new UNICEF Country Programme Document, 2022-2026.
- Support for the implementation of the Intersectoral Rolling Workplan on ECD, prioritized on increasing access to ECD for young children, families and communities most at risk.
- Technical support for strengthening Quality Child Friendly Schools framework from pre-schools to secondary schools, which includes reopening schools safer and better to improve learning outcomes for the most vulnerable during this pandemic; this includes the timely, efficient implementation of Education Thematic funds.
- Technical assistance in emergency preparedness and response in the ECD/Education sector with input for advocacy and Communication for Development activities to create social and behaviour change in regard to safe, healthy and inclusive schools and communities.
The consultant will submit monthly progress reports on deliverables listed in table below and also provide inputs to the development of the Country Programme Document (CPD) and Country Office Annual Reporting (COAR) as well as development of other relevant materials and assignments given from time to time.
Specifically, the Consultant will contribute to the accomplishment of the following tasks, under the guidance of the ECD and Education Officer:
DeliverablesDates- Develop workplan of consultancy and draft project plan based on Intersectoral Rolling Work Plan with provision of technical inputs and guidance to interventions to address back to school processes and continued home/distance or blended learning for the most marginalized, implementing Education Thematic Funds, expiring December 2021.
End of month 1 and 2- Workplan and implementation of monitoring for Care for Child Development trainings for field workers that come into contact with young children and their families, with focus on prevention of violence against children
End of month 3- Support for the strengthening and implementation of work in quality schools in positive discipline and literacy interventions including for COVID 19 and continuity of home-based learning, psychosocial support for teachers and children in primary schools and in child friendly municipalities, with other wrap-around services
End of months 4 and 5- Support the development of a national communication strategy for ECD based on the results of the situation analysis, including support for developing communication materials such as Human-Interest Stories etc. and support to implementation of parenting workplan and development of new national ECD strategic plan with final reports
End of month 6 and 7- Support for the strengthening and implementation of Water, and Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) Standard Operation Procedures in Schools and Communities
End of month 8- Strengthening the monitoring, assessment and reporting of indicators in ECD and Education with documentation, Country Office Annual Report and final reports
End of month 9
Estimated Duration of the Contract
The duration of the consultancy is over the period of 9 months
Estimated date of commencement is 1 April 2021.
Payment
Payment is based on an invoice submitted monthly by the consultant, in accordance with a pre-approved work plan and following the certification of deliverables by the supervising officer through the monthly progress report.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in the combination of the selective disciplines relevant to the following areas:
- Education, Early Childhood Development, Curriculum and Instruction, Disaster Risk Reduction or other relevant discipline(s) such as programme management.
- A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in education, ECD, and 2 years project management.
- Knowledge on issues of education in Belize and on children's rights is an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to produce high quality results in a timely manner; excellent analytical and writing skills is also an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset.
For more information click ToR Education Consultancy_FINAL.pdf.
Qualified candidates are requested to upload:
- Cover letter with an updated CV
- Diplomas and Certificates
- Supporting Documents (workplan development, writing reports, etc.)
- An All- Inclusive Financial Proposal – with a breakdown of daily and monthly rates in Belize currency (inclusive of travel and life insurance for the duration of the contract)
- At least 3 References (inclusive of one current supervisor/manager)
UNICEF considers best value for money as criteria for evaluating potential candidates. As a general principle, the fees
payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired
outcome at the lowest possible fee. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming
costs for obtaining insurance.
Evaluation Process
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be
made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
- Having received the highest score out of a weighted set of technical and financial criteria.
- Technical Criteria weight – 70%;
- Financial Criteria weight – 30%;
Criteria Weight Max. Point
Criteria
Weight
Maximum Points
4 yrs. professional experience in Education/ECD and project management
30%
30 points
Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in the combination of the selective disciplines reflected in ToR above
20%
20 points
Demonstrated experience (work plan development, writing reports, convening meetings with various levels (technical people, policy makers), training groups
20%
20 points
Financial Proposal: Cost of consultancy (daily rate, lump sum, per deliverable, insurance, etc.)
30%
30 points
Technical Qualification (max. 70 points)
Total Score TOTAL Score (max. 100 points) 100%.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
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 UNICEF competencies required for this post are 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:
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.
Added 3 years ago
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Updated 2 years ago
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Source:
unicef.org
