International Early Childhood Development (ECD) consultancy, Windhoek, Namibia (For Internationals only)

UNICEF Namibia Country Office is seeking for an energetic, focused, committed, strategic and diverse individual to support the implementation of UNICEF Namibia's ECD priorities, focusing on the provision of technical support to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare in the transition of ECD functions and in the Implementation of UNICEF's donor commitments.

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, Equitable Education 

Background and Justification

Integrated early childhood development services feature all components of nurturing care such as health, nutrition, protection and safety, opportunities for early learning and responsive caregiving. Early childhood interventions are in place through existing government services such as antenatal clinics, social assistance grant, birth registration, subsidies to educarers at ECD Centres and pre-primary schools. Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) in Namibia is guided by the National Early Childhood Development (IECD) Policy of 2007, and ChildCare and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015). According to the IECD Policy, ECD covers the period from 0-8 years old (birth to Grade 3). The IECD Policy defines ECD as a set of integrated interventions aimed at holistic care, development, early learning, and protection of the child. According to the Policy, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) leads initiatives for children from 0-4 years old. While Early Childhood Education services for the 5–8-year-olds, including one year of pre-primary education, as well as training and curriculum development are under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC). The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is responsible for all aspects related to health and nutrition, including establishing standards for the monitoring of health, nutrition, growth, immunization, sanitation, and hygiene among young children in IECD facilities and home-based care settings.

In placing attention to the importance of early childhood development and early childhood education, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) highlighted that “The challenges relating to the quality of education start with the limited access to early childhood development (ECD) services” ... “In order to better integrate ECD with other aspects of education, it is recommended that the responsibility of ECD is transferred from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare to the Ministry of Education” (Namibia’s Fourth National Development Plan, 2012, pp46 and 50). The ChildCare and Protection Act 2015, Act No. 3 of 2015 indicates that “The minister responsible for education must administer all matters relating to activities at early childhood development centres registered under this Act.” (p58). The National Conference in Education, held on 2-5 August 2022, further recommended 1). The transfer the ECD programme to the MoEAC with adequate financial resources, so that proportionately more budget is allocated to ECD and the early grades; 2). Regulate the ECD Sector to improve quality, and support capacity development of educators; 3). Ensure all ECD centres have a safe learning environment and access to electricity, and the internet. Considering the above-mentioned recommendations, UNICEF seeks the services of an ECD specialist to provide technical support to the MGEPESW and the MoEAC to support the aforementioned transition and to provide support to enhance the quality and coverage of ECD in Namibia.

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work

1) Goal and objective: Under the supervision of the Chief ADAP, and in close collaboration with UNICEF technical specialists, the consultant will provide technical assistance to UNICEF Namibia to strengthen implementation of ECD priorities and to support MoEAC and MGEPESW in the transfer of ECD functions. More specifically, the objective of the consultancy is:

• Support the transition of key ECD functions from MGEPESW to MoEAC
• Support implementation, monitoring and reporting related to UNICEF ECD grants
• Coordinate and liaise with partners on the multi-sectoral strengthening of ECD in Namibia

2) Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: Explain briefly how this assignment links to AWP/IR number.

The consultancy is directly related to ECD Output 1: Relevant high-level decision makers ensure equitable resource allocation, efficient spending, and legislation for maternal, newborn and child health; child protection, ECD, education and nutrition is implemented.

3) Activities and Tasks

• Support oversight and technical management of external partners and contractors engaged to support partners on ECD. This includes engaging with an external Institutional to carry out a Functional Analysis to inform the transfer of ECD from the Ministry of Gender to the Ministry of Education and a consultancy to revise the Unit standards for EduCarers.
• Support UNICEF partners MoEAC and MGEPESW in the coordination of steering committee meetings on externally contracted tasks and assignments.
• Support Chief ADAP on preparation and participation in the multi-ministry coordination meetings and events.
• Support monitoring and reporting against donor grant commitments, including coordination with stakeholders and drafting of annual report.
• Work with project partners to establish a baseline for relevant project indicators.
• Coordinate and liaise with ECD stakeholders and grant implementation partners and represent UNICEF on relevant coordination platforms, including preparation of monthly updates.
• Co-lead with partners a workshop on ECD-MIS to identify long and short-term priorities for system improvement/development and support MGEPESW on subsequent implementation of relevant actions.
• Support the development and implementation of a capacity strengthening plan for Pre-Primary teachers with MoEAC
• Define scope, identify partnerships and liaise with MoHSS and partners on the rollout of the National Parenting manual.
• Participate in multi-stakeholder discussions and planning related to the integration of health and nutrition services in ECD centres, including support to the RightStart Campaign.
• Coordinate with grant partners to ensure timely reporting, identification and mitigation of challenges
• Support the amendment of Donor grant related documents upon completion of the Functional Analysis.
• Coordinate a donor field visit to ECD programming.
• Provide inputs to UNICEF reports, prepare presentations, participate in relevant meetings and events, and provide other support to ECD as per emerging needs.

4) Work relationships: The consultant will be supervised by the chief ADAP, and work very closely with UNICEF technical specialists and partners. Interactions with partners like MoEAC, MGEPESW and MOHSS and donors is expected.

5) Outputs/Deliverables:

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

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

Education:  An advanced university degree in one of the following fields: education, public administration, public health, economics, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, family studies, or another relevant technical field.

• State the specialized skills and/or training if needed.
  Experience in and knowledge of UNICEF’s activities at the country and regional levels, or relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization.
• Indicate the length of relevant work experience that is required in the technical area for this consultancy.
  A minimum of five years of relevant professional work experience at national and international levels in the social development field, and specifically in early learning, including early childhood education and preschool. Experience in and knowledge of early learning policies and programmes in East and Southern Africa.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required, including excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills in the English language.

Administrative issues

The Chief ADAP will be the main contact point for the consultant and will facilitate contact with other UNICEF staff and partners. The consultant will participate in the weekly meetings to review the progress and agree on weekly priorities. The consultant will be provided working space in the UNICEF office in Windhoek and may be requested to work from the offices of a Ministry partner.

Conditions

The consultant is expected to use her/his equipment (computer, phone, etc.) to produce deliverables.

The consultant might travel within Namibia, depending on needs and Ministry priorities and requests. Where this is the case DSA and transport will be provided by UNICEF in accordance with UNICEF standard rated and policies.

Individuals engaged in a consultancy 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. 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, following local or other applicable laws.

Risks

Risks include an inability to receive and respond to CO requests for technical assistance on time and potential delays in the finalization of key documents. The UNICEF supervisor will take every measure to facilitate the work of the consultant and in particular her/his relations with the COs as key stakeholders of this consultancy.

• Objectives in the ToR are not met. This risk will be mitigated by weekly meetings and identification of potential risks and attending to issues.
• Deliverables not completed. This risk will be mitigated by monthly review meetings and identification of potential risks and attending to issues.
• Inadequate support from colleagues and partners. This will be mitigated by early and regular communication and coordination.
• Not delivering quality timely technical support to countries. This will be mitigated by close supervision, sharing exemplary materials and timely guidance.
• Activities are delayed due to reasons beyond the control of UNICEF and the consultant. Continuous risk assessment will be carried out and adjustment will be carried out accordingly.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit online application before the closing date with the following documentation.
a cover letter, CV and P11 form and their technical and financial proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily) expressed in USD for international consultants to undertake the Terms of Reference. The financial proposal should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and Living allowances for international consultants who will be based in Windhoek.

Applications submitted without a financial proposal and technical proposal will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
• Works collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
• Innovates and embraces change (1)
• Thinks and acts strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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 or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. 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. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.