National Individual Consultant: Social & Behaviour Change Consultant- Kathmandu, Nepal Country Office ( Only for Nepalese National)

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 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.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) refers to holistic i.e., physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of a human being from conception to age 8. Investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) can improve the lives of all and has proven to be highly beneficial to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and their societies, helping to break cycles of poverty, violence, and despair. ECD has a prominent role in supporting the quality of formal education and poverty reduction as well as ensuring child rights and efficient human resource development for the nation.

ECED refers to Early Childhood Education and Development or pre-primary education focusing on the importance of educational aspects and interactions during the early years. The formation of diversity of skills is a lifetime process, and participation in quality ECED is critical for providing children with a head start in this process. Ensuring access to quality ECED helps children build a strong foundation to acquire key cognitive and socio-emotional skills, including pre-academic skills.

Nepal has made significant strides in increasing access to pre-primary education, with enrolment pre-primary education increasing from 12 per cent in 2000 to 87.6 per cent in 2021. The rapid increase was achieved primarily through high-level political support, the leadership of the education sector, and coordinated partnerships fostered with NGOs (local and international) to increase the number of community-and school-based centers for early childhood education.

With federalization, the authority for the overall management of Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) has been delegated to local governments. Political/financial support and leadership in ECED varies based on commitment and support at the local level, as there is no overarching federal education act or guidance. However, one year of pre-primary education is recognized as part of free and compulsory basic education in the 8th amendment of the Education Act. There is a pre-primary education curriculum and early learning development standards for the pre-primary age group (48-60 months), while minimum standards for centers guide the overall enabling environment.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will provide technical support to the Center for Education and Human Resource Development, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and UNICEF, education section to develop communication strategy on Early Childhood Education and Development Key Functions/Day to Day Activities:

• Develop consultation framework

• Assist the technical task team to finalize the consultation report

• Support the technical team to draft and refine the communication strategy

Detailed activities. In accordance with established UNICEF policies, procedures and practice, the consultant will perform the following duties:

1. Review relevant literature to develop the consultation framework

2. Consult and collaborate with relevant UNICEF sections, field offices, partners, local and provincial stakeholders and various ministries on ECED communication

3. Compile the consultation report

4. Draft the communication strategy

5. Review and refine based on inputs from stakeholders

Duration of Contract: The total duration of the contract is for 8 months starting from 1 December 2022.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks****Deliverables****Timeline****Proposed Fee (Nepalese Currency)• Development of consultation framework- Submission of a detailed framework and inception report for consultation on communication on ECED - Submission of monthly report

By end December 2022 - Prepare consultation report

• Submission of detail report on consultation at province level
• Submission of compiled consultation report with key recommendations
• Submission of monthly reports

By end March 2023 - Communication Strategy final draft

• Submission of draft communication strategy with key messages and refined versions based the comments
• Submission of final communication strategy both in Nepali and English translation
• Assist government to conduct orientation on the communication strategy
• Submission of monthly reports

By end July 2023 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• Advanced university degree in Education, social sciences, or communications/marketing with profound understanding on Early Childhood Development Work

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in areas related to social behaviour change or communication

• Profound experience in social behaviour change, and communications, particularly development of a communication strategy (applicants are requested to attach a communication strategy developed with the application)

• Previous work related with Early Childhood Development would be considered as a plus point Skills required:

• Existing linkages and coordination skills with government counterparts Special skills and/or knowledge required:

• Good understanding of social behaviour factors related with ECED

• Excellent command of both, Nepali and English language Competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge and thorough understanding on Social Behaviour Change and ECED

• Strong analytical capacity and ability to quickly comprehend concepts and apply them in operational settings

• Proactive and strong skills in SBC and communication

• Ability to build strong relationships with external actors

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Excellent coordination and communication skills

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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:

Request to submit financial proposal as per deliverable in Nepalese currency.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates from under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment.