National Programme Manager, Early Childhood Education UNICEF FSM

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, a champion

The education system of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has four levels: Early Childhood Education (ECE) for ages 3–5, elementary education for ages 6–13 (Grades 1–8), secondary education for ages 14–18 (Grades 9–12) and post-secondary education. Free and universal public education is provided to all children, including for children with special needs, from age 6 through age 15 (or completion of the Grade 8), which corresponds to the compulsory education age. As on date, ECE is not compulsory in FSM, however, ECE has been publicly provided since 2005, building on the US federally funded Head Start Program which was implemented until the early 2000s. The FSM education governance system is composed of the national department of education (NDOE) and the four state departments of education (SDOE). NDOE is responsible for setting national standards, including school accreditation, teacher certification, school curriculum standards and benchmarks and student assessments. NDOE is responsible for reports on the status of education across the country, provision of technical assistance as appropriate and coordination of external funding aid for education. The SDOEs in each of the four states are responsible for providing direct educational instructions, including their own curriculum development based on the national framework along with in-school assessments.

The National Department of Education (NDOE), supported by UNICEF Pacific, conducted numbers of consultations with relevant national and state-level stakeholders in 2020, to develop a ECE Program Document to achieve 1-year compulsory ECE for the 5-year-old children in FSM. To support the broader goal of compulsory ECE for all 5 year old children in FSM, the Government has successfully secured 2.5 million USD from Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the Education Sector Plan Implementation Grant (ESPIG). National and state level operational plans and budgets have been developed and endorsed by NDOE and SDOEs to support the implementation of compulsory ECE starting August 2023. A series of activities are outlined to be implemented by NDOE at national level and SDOEs in each

of the 4 states, to ensure FSM is fully ready to roll out compulsory ECE from August 2023.

A systematic and coherent coordination, communication, monitoring and reporting of the operational plans and budgets is critical at this stage to ensure the scheduled activities under the operational plans are greatly advanced to support quality and equity focused implementation of the compulsory ECE in 2023.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF FSM is seeking to hire a national technical consultant to build capacity of NDOE and SDOE for them to effectively roll out the operational plans. The purpose of the national consultancy is to support NDOE on effective and efficient coordination, communication, monitoring and reporting to successfully implement the operational plan and budgets.

Scope of Work: During the duration of the consultancy, the consultant will conduct activities not limited to and may change as needs arise

1. Coordinate implementation of ECE operational plans and budgets toward achieving compulsory ECE by 2024

Coordinate and effectively communicate in detail the ECE operational plans and budgets, including activity-wise details, to NDOE and SDOE staff to ensure each department is clear on the roles, responsibilities, activities and timelines. Support stakeholder consultations, meetings and workshops to fully internalize the operational plans and budgets in NDOE and SDOE’s annual plans. Provide support to NDOE to initiate and carry out activities as per the operational plan, including active support on school repairs and procurement of supplies, including guidance on effective approaches and modalities for implementation. Effectively coordinate with NDOE, SDOE and UNICEF to ensure most relevant support is provided towards implementation at national- and state-levels, as well as any potential adjustments or revisions to plans as required to achieve the aims of the ECE program are carried out and well-integrated. Coordinate with other relevant departments to ensure maximum and timely support is provided to the compulsory ECE programme.

2. Monitoring and reporting

Work closely and collaboratively with NDOE, SDOEs and partners to review ECE program progress, results, constraints, and achievements, ensuring data are collected and reported. Analyze and share information on implementation issues and prepare draft inputs for program/donor/internal/SDOE reporting and help finalization all reports. Ensure all activities are adequately documented (with activity reports or otherwise), including lessons learnt documented and used to inform programme revisions in context of FSM’s compulsory ECE programme. Undertake field visits, surveys, focus group discussions and data collection including secondary data review as well as community feedback by using culturally appropriate and other methodologies, and share information with stakeholders to assess progress and refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks, and potential problems for timely action to achieve results and best ways forward toward compulsory ECE by 2024.

3. Develop and implement a communication strategy to ensure effective communication on ECE

Through consultative processes, develop an effective communication strategy to support internal communications between NDOE and SDOEs regarding the implementation of the ECE programme through all stages. Once developed, continue to provide support to NDOE/SDOEs in implementing the strategy in context of the compulsory ECE programme, including by facilitating a capacity building session for NDOE/SDOEs on sustaining regular and effective communication on ECE into the future.

4. Supporting partnership for better results

Support building and sustaining of effective partnerships with key partners, including mapping synergies with other ongoing or planned initiatives in FSM which can be leveraged upon to support the ECE programme implementation. Coordinate effectively with stakeholders within NDOE, SDOEs and all technical consultants supporting the ECE programme to ensure the technical assistance is well communicated, reviewed and outcomes used by departments across all levels for programme implementation. Support NDOE, SDOEs, UNICEF and consultants by facilitating consultations (in person and virtual), field visits, by connecting with other stakeholders who are leading initiatives which have synergies and any other relevant activities to ensure and sustain results of the ECE program.

5. Support effective operational and administrative processes, including fund transfers/g liquidation and reporting of activities

Support planning, management and liquidation/resolution of operational and administrative processes, including fund transfers to implementing partners and liquidation of funds transferred.

6. Communication

Contribute to identifying, capturing, synthesizing and sharing lessons learned for knowledge sharing and learning of stakeholders. Develop human interest stories and support development of communication materials to communicate program implementation, including success stories and achievements.

High level deliverables: By the end of the consultancy the consultant is expected to achieve the following high level deliverables

1. ECE operational plans and budgets fully internalized within annual plans of NDOEs and SDOEs and documented.

2. All activities within the ECE operational plans significantly advanced at central and state level as relevant with way forward documented for those which will need more time for completion. Quarterly plans and implementation reports shared for every month.

3. ECE programme monitoring regularly conducted and documented including through activity reports, with inputs provided for all donor reports, NDOE’s internal monitoring reports, programme reviews and any other monitoring activities conducted and well documented.

4. Communication strategy for NDOE and SDOEs developed and implemented including capacity and support provided to NDOE and SDOE staff.

5. All fund transfers facilitated including liquidation and submission of activity reports including using lesson learnt for programme

revisions and re-alignment.

The successful consultant will be based at NDOE and will work in coordination and collaboration (as relevant) with multiple divisions within NDOE. The consultant is further expected to support all SDOEs from time to time. It is expected that the consultant will proactively ensure a strong communication and coordination with UNICEF throughout the course of the consultancy.

Supervisor: The consultant will be based at NDOE and will jointly be supervised by Secretary, National Department of Education and Education Specialist, UNICEF North Pacific and will closely co-ordinate with Education Consultant, UNICEF North Pacific. All deliverables and payments will be approved by NDOE and Chief of Education, UNICEF.

Contract Duration: 250 days between May 2022 to April 2023

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

• An advanced diploma or degree in education management, education, social sciences, international development or any other comparable and relevant discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in programme planning, management is required.
• Experience in coordination, intersectoral collaboration is required
• Experience in dealing with policy level intervention, including policy dialogue, working with government and/or policy makers and multiple-country intervention.
• Familiarity of FSM education system and structure as well as previous work experience with UNICEF or UN is strongly desired
• Excellent soft skill, teamwork and flexibility are required.
• Excellent knowledge of English and excellent writing and communication skills in plain language.
• Full working knowledge of MS-Word, PowerPoint, Skype for Business, Zoom, and other presentation platforms
• Experience delivering results independently and at distance in a timely fashion.
• Nationals of FSM or non-nationals with a valid work permit are highly encouraged to apply.

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:

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.

This is a re-advertisement in order to expand the candidate pool. Previous applicants need not reapply as their original application will be duly considered