Preschool Education Expert (PPP Analyses)

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

Overview

Conduct analyses and provide recommendations for preschool education programs.

You have:

• University degree in Education, Pre-school Education, Early Childhood Development, or related fields.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in education policy and preschool education in Serbia.
• Basic computer skills (MS Office – Word, PowerPoint, Excel; Internet).
• A high level of analytical skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility in rapidly changing situations.
• Fluency in both Serbian and English.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a right of all children and a global commitment recognized by the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goal 4 with the objective to ensure that all boys and girls have access to quality early childhood education and care by 2030. In the Republic of Serbia, ECEC includes creches (from 6 months to 3 years), kindergarten (from 3 to 5,5 years) and the mandatory preschool preparatory programme (one year prior to primary school enrolment: 5,5 to 6,5 years). Preparatory preschool programme (PPP) can be implemented in preschools and schools.

The Government of Serbia has recognized that Quality Early Childhood Education and Care programs play a critical role in laying the necessary foundation for skills development early on and for narrowing the equity gap in education access and performance. At the beginning of the emergency situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development (MoESTD) to develop the response of the preschool education system and to monitor the implementation. In addition, UNICEF supported the enhancement of competences of preschool practitioners in the areas of socio-emotional learning, resilience, cooperation with parents and usage of digital tools for professional development.

Work Assignment Overview:

Having in mind that the epidemiological situation is still unpredictable, there is now a need to focus the monitoring on the implementation of the mandatory preparatory preschool programme, especially when the implementation is taking place in primary schools. The assessment will also include the aspect of cooperation between the preschools and parents.

Duration of the assignment: February – May 2021 (up to 32 workdays)

Task description:

1. Develop the methodology for the analysis, and the relevant instruments, in consultation with UNICEF’s Education and Early Childhood Development sections, as well as national stakeholders;
2. Conduct analyses in 6 preschools and 2 schools which are implementing the PPP;
3. Prepare a presentation of draft findings and conduct consultations with UNICEF, MoESTD and other stakeholders:
4. Develop the final analysis with recommendations for both UNICEF and the MoESTD.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Education, Pre-school Education, Early Childhood Development, Pedagogy, Psychology, Sociology, Special Pedagogy or other fields of Social Studies and Humanities;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in education policy and practice in Serbia, including in the area of preschool education;
• Basic computer skills (MS Office – Word, PowerPoint, Excel; Internet);
• A high level of analytical skills;
• Good presentation skills;
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, developing alternate plans in rapidly changing situations, uncertainty and adversity;
• Fluency in both Serbian and English.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Daily rate (all costs included, e.g. health insurance, pension, usage of mobile phone).

Important notes:

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org