Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Panama
Closing date: 11 Sep 2017
Locations: Panama CityWork Type: ConsultancyClosing Date: September 10th, 2017
PURPOSE
The purpose of this individual contract is to support the ongoing initiatives on Early Education and Child Development in the Regional and Country Offices of UNICEF Latin America and The Caribbean and their link to the Education program of UNICEF’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACRO). In particular, the individual contractor will support: the revision of analyses, evaluations and documentation of policies, with a focus on a) integrated ECD System Development; b) the knowledge Management and Data Generation for the EDU/ECD section in LACRO, c) support in the implementation of the initiatives regarding to Care for Child Development Strategy, Early learning, pre-schooling and other ECD initiatives, d) Provide inputs for communication and advocacy materials on ECD, and e) completion of technical papers and reports related to ECD. The individual contractor will also provide technical support to UNICEF COs based on their requests made to UNICEF LACRO, in coordination with the Education and ECD specialists.
- Background and Rationale
Global and regional discussions
In previous years, priority has been given to the expansion of early childhood development and education programmes for children under the age of six – as part of EFA and OEI initiatives – that had promoted an increase in coverage of both formal and non-formal preschool programmes in the region. However, coverage remains limited for the most vulnerable children and their families – especially for children under the age of three. The latestadvances in neuroscience show how a child’s development (including brain development) is fundamentally shaped by its environment (adequate health, nutrition, early stimulation, learning opportunities, care and protection) in the earliest years of its life. Nevertheless, governments and other key partners have not matched the importance of investments in early childhood development, with an integrated approach.
ECD is part of the Development Agenda for the United Nations Member States through 2030, making it an international priority for the 21th century. Global targets in education (SDG 4.2); health (SDG 3.2); nutrition (SDG 2.2); and protection (SDG 16.2) address key outcomes to realize young children’s developmental potential. ECD also adds value to different strategic frameworks and partnerships, working towards the SDG goals, such as Every Woman Ever Child, Global Partnership for Education, Scaling up Nutrition and End Violence Against Children: Global Partnership.
In this sense, the UNICEF Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is committed to contribute with the country offices to: a) provide support to governments and counterparts to design and implement relevant systems and services for young children that are up-to-date with the recent compelling neuroscience evidence; b) to enable better monitoring and management program tools, as well as, to strengthen their implementation, c) to identify relevant practices and promote inter-country knowledge exchange, d) to promote within office collaboration and cross-sectoral planning given the diversity in the location and governance of pre-schooling and ECD in the countries; in order to improve outcomes for young children, particularly the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.
UNICEF Strategic Plans and Targets
Within the framework of the UNICEF Strategic Plan, critical elements to promote and implement an integrated approach to ECD are found in the outcomes of every area. Those that are considered of high importance are related to: strengthening family competencies for supporting early care and child development; expanding early inclusive learning opportunities; guaranteeing timely enrolment for first grade; and appropriate transitioning from ECD and pre-schooling services/home to and through the first grades of primary.
- Description of major Activities
Contribute to the implementation of the Regional Initiative on “Preventing and responding to neglect, abuse and violence in early childhood”: coordinate the editing and publication process of the regional materials; finalize a regional resource package on this topic; provide technical assistance on the implementation of this initiative to the countries in the region.
Contribute to the rollout and implementation process of the Care for Child Development (CCD) Initiative (at the regional and country level): organize training workshops, prepare training materials and document the implementation process; coordinate the editing and publication process of CCD materials; provide technical support to specific countries; and act as a liaison with regional partners on this initiative.
Contribute to strengthen regional capacities on ECD and DRR: act as a liaison with key regional partners in the implementation and dissemination of training tools. Contribute to update the training package on the ECD and emergencies; and provide technical assistance to regional countries on ECD and DRR.
Provide regular information to udpate the structure and content on ECD for the Share point and LACRO webpage.
Provide inputs to develop materials on ECD for communication and advocacy purpose in line with the regional strategy on communication in ECD.
Follow up with regional partner to develop and implement a regional methodology on ECD policy costing in 3 regional countries.
Draft a brief policy paper on the importance of adequate pedagogy, learning environment and smooth transition, at pre-schooling and the early years of primary.
Provide techinical support to the desk review process of existing innovative programs on Early learning in 5 LAC countries.
- DELIVERABLES
Date:
Deliverables:
15 Oct 2017
Finalized and upload on Share Point the regional resource package on “Preventing and responding to neglect, abuse and violence in early childhood”.
Organized one country TOT workshop on the Care for Child Development (CCD) approach.
Provided technical support to one country office for the rollout of the CCD Strategy.
Compiled and elaborated materials based on the ECD Global and Regional Report for advocacy purpose in line with the regional strategy on communication in ECD (informative brochure, talking points, key messages, background materials).
Provided support to key regional partners in the implementation and dissemination of training tools in ECD and DRR.
Prepared the TOR for the desk review process of existing innovative programs on Early learning in 5 LAC countries
15 Nov 2017
Provided technical assistance to one country office on the implementation of the Regional Initiative on “Preventing and responding to neglect, abuse and violence in early childhood”.
Provided technical support to one country office on for the rollout of the CCD Strategy.
Contributed to the finalization, editing and publishing of CCD materials.
Uploaded all CCD materials on the Share Point platform.
Updated the structure and content on ECD in the Share Point and LACRO webpage.
Compiled and elaborated materials based on the ECD Global and Regional Report for advocacy purpose in line with the regional strategy on communication in ECD (informative brochure, talking points, key messages, background materials).
On track the implementation of the regional methodology on ECD policy costing.
15 Dec 2017
Provided technical assistance to one selected country office on the implementation of the Regional Initiative on “Preventing and responding to neglect, abuse and violence in early childhood”.
Provided technical support to one selected country office on the CCD Strategy.
Updated the structure and content on ECD for Share Point and LACRO webpage.
Compiled and elaborate materials on ECD for communication and advocacy purposes in line with the regional strategy on communication in ECD.
Provided inputs to the regional report on the results of the implementation of the regional methodology on ECD policy costing in 3 regional countries.
Provided support to key regional partners in the implementation and dissemination of training tools in ECD and DRR.
Prepared a progress report on the brief policy paper on the importance of adequate pedagogy, learning environment and smooth transition, at pre-schooling and the early years of primary.
Prepared a progress report on the desk review process of existing innovative programs on Early learning in 5 LAC countries.
15 January 2017
Updated the structure and content on ECD in the Share Point and LACRO webpage.
Provided support to key regional partners in the implementation and dissemination of training tools in ECD and DRR.
Drafted a brief policy paper on the importance of adequate pedagogy, learning environment and smooth transition, at pre-schooling and the early years of primary.
Delivered a progress report on the desk review process of existing innovative programs on Early learning in 5 LAC countries.
15 February 2017
Updated the structure and content on ECD for Share Point and LACRO webpage.
Compiled and elaborate materials on ECD for communication and advocacy purposes in line with the regional strategy on communication in ECD.
Contributed to the finalization, editing and publishing of the regional methodology on ECD policy costing in 3 regional countries.
Organized a peer review of the draft brief policy paper on the importance of adequate pedagogy, learning environment and smooth transition, at pre-schooling and the early years of primary.
15 March 2017
Organized one country workshop on the Care for Child Development (CCD) approach.
Organized one regional workshop on the Care for Child Development (CCD) approach.
Updated the structure and content on ECD for Share Point and LACRO webpage.
Compiled and elaborate materials on ECD for communication and advocacy purposes in line with the regional strategy on communication in ECD.
Contributed to the finalization, editing and publishing of the brief policy paper on the importance of adequate pedagogy, learning environment and smooth transition, at pre-schooling and the early years of primary.
Contributed to the finalization, editing and publishing on the desk review process of existing innovative programs on Early learning in 5 LAC countries.
- QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZE KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Five years of experience working in international development or preferable with UNICEF or any other UN agencies.
Advanced university degree in the Social Sciences or other related field.
Previous work experience and knowledge on UNICEF/supported priorities in ECD.
Knowledge of the LAC region and its context in ECD will be an asset.
Also, the consultant should be familiarized with the Care for Child Development Strategy and a range of ECD learning-based research and policies focusing on quality, innovative and equity issues, including but not limited to those based on Early Learning Standards, ECD readiness instruments and specific child developmental monitoring tools. A good understanding of ECD indicators is needed.
- LENGTH OF CONTRACT AND START DATE
18 of September 2017 to 15 of March 2018
- CONSULTANT’S WORK PLACE
The individual contractor will work from UNICEF Regional Office in Panama City, Panama. The individual contractor may be asked to work weekends and holidays, as required.
- HONORARIA & FEES
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a financial proposal. Proven past experience and financial proposal will be taken into consideration during selection process. Please include a sample of relevant work (e.g. reports for organizations or government agencies authored by the applicant).
If travel is needed in the region, costs will be covered by UNICEF as per policy.
10. CLOSING DATE AND MODALITY TO APPLY
The deadline to receive applications is10/September/2017.
The pre-selection of candidates will be done after closing date. Please note only selected candidates will be contacted.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=506839
