UNICEF is looking for consultant for development of early learning development standards (ELDS) for the Ministry of Education in Liberia
Job no: 516523
Work type: Consultancy
Location: Liberia
Categories: Education, P-4
Applications close: Greenwich Standard Time
UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.
Background:
UNICEF Liberia works closely with the Bureau of Early Childhood Education at the Ministry of Education (MoE) and sector partners to promote Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Liberia. Currently, UNICEF is supporting the MoE through the ECE Bureau to implement ECD programmes in public schools and ten model community ECD centers located in 30 remote and disadvantaged communities in the three counties of Bong, Grand Bassa and Grand Gedeh.
An ECD Policy and ECD curriculum were developed through technical assistance provided by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) in collaboration with UNICEF and sector partners. The policy and curriculum have however not been widely disseminated due to lack of funding to support this activity. Consequently, the ECD policy and curriculum are not being followed especially by private providers who account for the ownership, management and operations of nearly fifty percent of ECD centers in the countr
Purpose of Assignment:
The purpose of the consultancy is to develop an Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS) for the Ministry of Education in Liberia.
Basic Objectives of Consultancy/Contractor Services:
- To review existing quality standards used for early learning at national, regional and global levels as learning points.
- To develop Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS) for Ministry of Education in Liberia.
Scope, Time and Coverage and Management of Study:
The development of the ELDS will be done over 10 working weeks and will be based on information gathered from selected schools and community centers. This selection will be done in consultation with the Ministry of Education’s ECD Bureau. Some of the respondents will include Administrators of ECD centers, District Education Officers, school principals, parents, teachers and caregivers.
The reference and management group for this consultancy will include the Chief of Education and the Education Program Officer responsible for early childhood development. They will work closely with the Assistant Minister for ECD and the Directors responsible for different aspects of ECD in the Ministry of Education.
Objective 1: To review existing quality standards used for early learning at national, regional and global levels as a learning point.
Objective 2: To develop Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS) for Ministry of Education through technical support. | ||
Key Activities/Tasks:10 working days | Outputs/Deliverables | Time frame |
Inception phase:
|
Inception report with detailed workplan, methodology, and schedule for stakeholder’s visits
| 7 working days |
Consultation and Draft ELDS Phase:
|
|
20 working days
|
Final ELDS Document Phase:
|
|
10 working days
|
Qualification or Specialized Knowledge/Experience/Expertise required for the Assignment:
Qualifications:
A degree in Education, Social Sciences or related field. A post graduate qualification is an asset.
Professional/Technical experience:
- At least four years working experience in education or gender or the social sciences.
- Relevant experience in programme implementation, including policies/strategies /standards
- Knowledge of child rights/child development, early learning/ECD is an added advantage.
Other attributes essential for the Assignment:
- Excellent representation skills.
- Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work with others and communicate in a multicultural environment.
Language skills required:
Fluency in written and spoken English.
General Terms and Conditions of the Contract:
- Under the consultancy agreements, payment is deliverable based as defined in the ToR.
- All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
- No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
- For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or email.
- Unless authorized, UNICEF will buy the tickets for the consultant. In exceptional cases, the consultant may be authorized to buy their travel tickets and shall be reimbursed at the “most economical and direct route” but this must be agreed to beforehand.
- Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
- Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.
- The consultancy will be governed under the General Terms and Conditions of the Contract.