TOR – Consultant – Technical Assistance (TA): Early learning and development in early childhood development (birth to 5 years)

Job Number: 528259 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: South Africa

Work Type : Consultancy

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Background and Justification

The Government of South Africa’s commitment and achievements with regards to early childhood development is significant and it has established ECD as a core intervention for the country’s development and future capabilities with the NDP confirming that South Africa will « make early childhood development a top priority among the measures to improve the quality of education and long-term prospects of future generations ». Notwithstanding the significant progress made on a policy and implementation level with regard to early learning, development and education, as mentioned earlier, the NDP identify the following persistent challenges at macro level: funding for infrastructure and staff; training for teachers; learner support materials and equipment; strengthening of support agencies; reaching the most vulnerable children and families; and ensuring that departments responsible for different aspects of early childhood development work together.

1.2  UNICEF provides strategic and programmatic support to the advancement of early learning through play-based learning pedagogies and approaches in early childhood development for children birth to five years. The scope of programming has increased immensely in the past three years; hence, UNICEF wishes to augment its existing capacity to support early learning and development component of its programmes.

1.3  The consultancy will contribute to the implementation of work plan priorities through direct technical support. The consultancy will be based on a full-time basis at UNICEF.

Scope of Work

Goal and Objective:

The specific objectives are to:

provide technical support in implementing play-based pedagogies in the early learning and development programmes for children birth to 5 years;

advancement of the importance of play-based learning in the early years through parental support,

contribute to the capacity development of the early childhood development workforce; and

any other duty that may be assigned by the supervisor related to the above purpose

Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered

2.1  The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and related support to UNICEF South Africa that contributes to the programme planning, administration, implementation and evaluation play-based pedagogies in early childhood development (birth to 5 years).

Activities and Tasks:

The consultant shall be accountable to the Education Manager (Early Childhood Development) in execution of the following tasks.

3.3.1  Providing technical assistance and support with regards to following in early learning and development programmes for children birth to 5 years:

input and guidance on pedagogies and approaches that support and advance learning through play in early learning and development programmes for children birth to 5 years through partners in government and non-governmental sectors. This includes the direct technical input; support the development of and/or review of resources on play-based learning for parents and ECD practitioners/educators; contributing to knowledge generation and dissemination on play-based learning.

Contribute to the building and strengthening strategic partnerships with early childhood development sector, including government counterparts, national stakeholders and academia through active networking and advocacy to exchange knowledge/expertise, leverage resources/action, build alliances and engage participation of communities in programme design, delivery and demand creation.

Support technological and programme innovations and approaches to accelerate results and increase coverage, access and quality of early learning and development programmes for children birth to five years, with particular emphasis on play-based learning.

3.3.2  Collect and assemble data and background information relating to early learning and development programmes/projects for children birth to five years to provide updated information on programmes/projects financial and administrative status for analysis and report purposes. Analyze programme/project status and recommend appropriate adjustments..

3.3.3  Support the development of presentations, advocacy materials, briefings, donor reports and financial analysis.

3.3.4  Participate in in programme planning and monitoring missions, meetings and briefing sessions to identity and analyze bottlenecks; recommends courses of action to supervisor and assist where necessary to implement recommendations in relation to early learning and development for children birth to 5 years in general and play-based learning in particular.

3.3.5  Makes arrangements for visits to project sites for the government and other partners, and provides information and briefing on project activities and status.

3.3.6  Support the development of presentations, advocacy materials, briefings, donor reports and financial analysis.

3.3.7  Administrative Financial: Co-ordinate with operations/supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and government accountability.

3.3.8  Support to the procurement processes of all associated tasks, in close coordination with the Operations section

Outputs/Deliverables:

State the specific service/outputs to be delivered at a specific time as per stated objectives

3.1  The consultant shall submit a monthly report in English as descried on the dates as indicated in the table below.

4.2  The following outline must be followed as minimum for all monthly reports:

4.2.1 Cover page

4.2.2  One paragraph summary of the main areas covered in the report

4.2.3  Sub-paragraphs that indicate all activities, inputs, progress and outputs related to paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 above.

4.2.4  List of all meetings, workshops or related activities attended and the consultant’s input and role.

4.2.5  An indication of any challenges and recommendations thereto

4.2.6  An indication of the priorities for the next month.

4.3  The monthly report shall be submitted electronically and in hard copy (paper)to the supervisor on a date as agreed.

4.4  Payment shall be affected monthly upon the satisfactory completion of deliverables and the receipt of a monthly report and valid invoice signed by consultant and co-signed by the supervisor

4.5  The following schedule of deliverables and payments shall apply.

Deliverables	Duration (Estimated # of days or months)	Timeline/Deadline	Schedule of payment
Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice.	Monthly	31 December 2019[1]	Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice
Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice	Monthly	31 January 2020	Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice
Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice	Monthly	29 February 2020	Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice
Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice	Monthly	31 March 2020	Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice
Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice	Monthly	30 April 2020	Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

The following are desired, and applicants will be strictly weighed against these criteria. The applicant shall have:

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, early childhood development, psychology, sociology, social work, child and youth care work or another relevant technical field.

Knowledge of play-based learning pedagogies in the early learning and development programmes for children birth to 5 years is a requirement.

A minimum of three years of professional experience in education, social development, planning and management in early learning related areas is required.

Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Proven practical, professional work experience in project administration, including research and data analysis.

Seamless knowledge and experience in the use of MS Office Suite

Excellent and concise writing and analytical skills.

Willingness to travel including on short notice

Proactive and energetic approach to work.

Ability and commitment to work under tight timeframes in high pressure environments

Administrative issues

The contract will be managed in accordance with UNICEF’s standard procedures and the day to day work of the consultant will be supervised by the Education Manager: Early Childhood Development.

The successful candidate will work at the UNICEF offices in Pretoria with resources availed by UNICEF for the execution of the assignment.

The consultant shall have not expectation for the extension of this contract nor for any continuation of the work associated with this assignment through part-time or fulltime employment by UNICEF.

Availability of resources, focal points/contacts and how they will be accessible; Location and schedule for progress meetings throughout the contract duration (if required).

Conditions

ETHICAL AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant shall undertake to adhere to the following:

(a)  To always keep information obtained during the work assignment confidential and shall not circulate the documents or any part there-of, at any stage to any party without the explicit written permission of both UNICEF.

(b)  Not to publish the document, any part thereof, or any reworked version thereof, without the explicit written permission of

UNICEF under such conditions that both parties will agree too.

UNICEF reserves the right to subject any work done for external peer review as part of the quality assurance process in the implementation of this assignment. The person shall be informed if such an action is taken and will be duly informed on the outcome there-off.

The consultant will provide all products that were developed in accessible formats, e.g. MsWord, MsExcel and PowerPoint formats. Graphics presented in any written work, shall be provided in an accessible format. All raw data will be handed over electronically, or if not available electronically, in hard copy.

Risks

The consultancy may be comprised or at risk mainly due to factors outside the control of the consultant. Mechanisms will be put in place to mitigate risks as far as possible.

How to Apply

7  Qualified persons are invited to submit their application comprising a cover letter and a full Curriculum Vitae indicating all qualifications and relevant experience and quoting a MONTHLY FEE. Applications submitted without a fee/ rate/ budget will not be considered.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link:
https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=528259 by 20 December 2019

This notice will also appear on http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/, http://www.unicef.org/southafrica, UN Job List, UN Jobs.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in ZAR) to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).

We invite you to watch a short video on the system on how to apply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePgDIQ9RVYs&feature=youtu.be 

If you have not been contacted within 1.5 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

8.8.2  In order to qualify for consideration a proposal will have to score the following minimum marks. Proposals scoring less, will not be considered.

Technical quality of the proposal (cover letter): 50 out of 75, subject to paragrah (b) below. A lessor score will be indicative of an escalated risk in the execution of the assignment and the assessment of the proposal (cover letter) will be discontinued and the application will not be further considered.

Appropriate qualifications: 6 out of 10. A lessor score will be indicative of an escalated risk in the execution of the assignment and the assessment of the proposal (cover letter) will be discontinued and the application will not be further considered

Price: 14 out of 25 (including being competitive compared with other proposal). A lessor score will be indicative of an escalated risk in the execution of the assignment and the assessment of the proposal will be discontinued and the application will not be further considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from South African nationals, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation

« 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 rigorous reference and background checks. »

Closing Date Fri Dec 20 2019 15:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)