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For every child, education

BACKGROUND

Early childhood development” refers to the period from birth to eight years of age focusing on building the foundation of a child for lifelong learning and development through health care, nutrition, child and social protection, child welfare, early learning and stimulation of a child in a variety of settings such as homes, schools, health facilities and community-based centres (Basic Education Act, 2020 (Act No 3 of 2020). IECD in Namibia is guided by the National Early Childhood Development (IECD) Policy of 2007, and Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015), the Basic Education Act, 2020 (Act No 3 of 2020) , the Harambee Prosperity Plan (2021-2025) and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-2025). In addition, the 2011 National Conference on Education recommendations and subsequent Cabinet resolution directed that funding for ECD be increased, more ECD Centres and pre-primary classes be constructed and the capacity of educarers be improved.

According to the IECD Policy, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication 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, early identification of disabilities, and nutrition, including establishing standards for the monitoring of health, nutrition, growth, immunization, sanitation, and hygiene among young children in home settings, in communities and in IECD facilities.  Current national legislation, policy and strategy including the National Development Plan, Child Care and Protection Act and Education Act mandates the transfer of ECD to the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.

Considering the above-mentioned recommendations, UNICEF seeks the services of an institution or individual consultant to undertake a functional analysis, including a transition roadmap and costed plan, to inform the transfer of designated Early Childhood Development (ECD) Functions from MGEPESW to MoEAC.

How can you make a difference?

SCOPE OF WORK

1. Goals and Objectives:

The Individual consultant will provide technical assistance to the MoEAC and MGEPESW and undertake a). an extensive functional analysis of ECD service provision and b). develop a corresponding transition roadmap and costed plan, which will inform the transfer of designated Early Childhood Development (ECD) Functions from MGEPESW to MoEAC.

The analysis should provide an overview of current functions, roles and responsibilities related to ECD and explore potential roles after the transition for MoEAC, MGEPESW, MoHSS and other stakeholders. It should include an analysis of risks/benefits gained from the transition and should be informed by relevant legislation and policy, what is currently being implemented as well as in-depth stakeholder consultations at the National, Regional, constituency and community levels.

The Nurturing Care Framework and existing NIECD policy results areas should serve as a basic framework of the analysis but the analysis should not be limited to these, with exploration of additional relevant areas as necessary. These include:

1. IECD System

• Policy, governance, management and coordination
• Monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting, including data systems (ECD-MIS)

2. Service Delivery

• Access to equitable and inclusive IECD including health, nutrition, WASH, parenting, Psychosocial and learning support.

3. Public Awareness, Advocacy and Protection

• Public awareness, advocacy, protection and social support in IECD services and programmes

4. Financing and Resource Mobilization

• Financing and resource mobilization for IECD services and programmes.

A corresponding and detailed transition roadmap and a costed plan for the implementation of the recommendations according to the roadmap, should be developed.

2.  Activities and Tasks

Activity 1: Draft and submit a detailed Inception Report to the Steering Committee

Tasks:

• Conduct a desk review of key global literature and legislation relevant to IEDC. This should include a review of international good practice as well as an analysis of the distribution of children in ECD centres and schools and the strengths, needs and limitations of the different settings.
• Produce a Draft inception Report and prepare a PPT presentation including the desk review, methodology, tools and detailed timelines for conducting the consultations associated with the functional analysis.
• Present to the Project Steering Committee at an Inception meeting for approval.
• Submit an Inception Report of not more than 20 pages based on the desk review, with timeframe, methodology and tools for conducting the functional analysis, including field consultations.

Activity 2: Stakeholder consultations to understand diverse perspectives on the transition

• Lead consultations with key informants and stakeholders at all levels of the system in different parts of the country considering urban/rural, high/low income, private/community/NGO/FBO run settings and regional differences.
• Lead consultations at the field level with various key stakeholders at the regional, constituency and community levels (government, CSOs, private sector parents, teachers and educarers).
• Prepare a PPT and present key findings from the consultations to the steering committee.

Activity 3: Prepare and submit a draft report

• Produce a draft report on the functionality analysis and prepare a PPT presentation detailing the functions recommended for transfer as well as the practical implications thereof. The report should highlight the financial, organizational, legislative, policy, monitoring and evaluation and other implications on all relevant parties and stakeholders.
• Present to the Steering Committee for approval.
• Incorporate any comments from the Steering Committee and submit a final draft report to the Committee.

Activity 4: Draft transition roadmap and costed plan

• Develop a strategic ECD transfer roadmap, with realistic scenarios and timelines including financial and human resource implications for the period 2025-2027 (transition phase) as well as 2028-2032 (post transition phase) to ensure sustainability.
• Conduct a one-day roadmap and policy brief validation workshop with key stakeholders.
• Incorporate feedback and comments from the workshop on the roadmap and costed plan and submit finalized versions together with the final report to the Committee for approval.
• Incorporate all comments from the stakeholders and the Steering Committee and submit the final draft.

METHODOLOGY

To ensure a comprehensive and robust analysis, the following methodology will be employed:

Document Review: A comprehensive review of relevant documents, including legislation and policy documents, monitoring data, strategic plans, international and national related literature, will be conducted to gather information about the best practice and the current status of ECD in Namibia.

Qualitative Data Collection: In-depth interviews and focus group discussions will be conducted with a diverse range of stakeholders, including relevant Ministries, academic and civil society stakeholders as well as with ECD centre staff, community members and parents. These discussions will focus on understanding current practice, experiences, challenges, and successes related to the programme, as well as recommendations regarding the transfer of responsibilities in accordance with relevant legislation.

Data Triangulation: The data collected from different sources should be triangulated to validate the findings and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the status and recommendations from stakeholders. This process will help identify any discrepancies or inconsistencies in the findings and strengthen the overall conclusions and roadmap.

Reporting: The findings from the functional analysis will be compiled into a comprehensive report, including an executive summary, background, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The report will provide clear evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations regarding the transfer of designated ECD responsibilities to the MoEAC in line with legislation.

WORK RELATIONSHIPS

The consultant will work closely with MoEAC and MGEPESW and will report directly to UNICEF Education Specialist. Reports and progress against deliverables will be shared with MoEAC, MGEPESW and UNICEF. The consultant is expected to establish and nurture good relations with relevant members of the Steering Committee, including (but not limited to) the European Union Technical Support team at MOEAC and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

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

To ensure the success of the project, the consultant must show documented evidence of the knowledge, expertise, and experience in:

• Education:  An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher)
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Experience:  A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in education, Early Childhood Development, and Social Sciences is required.
• Disciplines: Education, Early Childhood Development and Social Sciences.
• Extensive experience working in the ECD and educational context in Namibia, globally and ideally within SADC of at least 5 years.
• A minimum 10 years of progressive work in financial and project management.
• Solid knowledge of planning, coordination, and operational management.
• Experience working in development field in Namibia, including with communities, government officials and high-level decision makers.
• Prior experience in conducting national consultations and regional.
• Ability to drive the ECD agenda with government, development partners, service providers, media houses and communities.
• Demonstrate a record of accomplishment of successfully facilitating complex transitions or change management projects involving more than one Government Ministry or Department.
• Demonstrate the ability to organize and implement effective workplans.
• Strong analytical ability.
• Strong capacity to prepare strategies, proposals and budgetary analysis and to cost social programmes. A sample may be requested during recruitment stage.
• Dynamic interpersonal and communication skills, energetic, creative, and pragmatic.
• Ability to prepare and implement high quality workplans and take initiative.
• Excellent proficiency in computer and information technology skills, including word processing, electronic presentations, spreadsheets, email, and the internet including highly proven capabilities of keeping electronic records and producing reports.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of a local language will be an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS

• The consultant should include all travel costs to/from Namibia (if necessary) as well as in-country travel costs associated with the field consultations (including Living Allowance).
• UNICEF will not provide the consultant office space, unless during the Consultant’s stay in Namibia. The Consultant can work from any location at her/his convenience.
• The Consultant is expected to provide her/his own materials, i.e., computer, office supplies, etc.
• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested candidates can access UNICEF’s vacancies page at
Vacancies | UNICEF Careers to submit an online application before the closing date.

Please submit expression of interest together with:
• A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the Consultant meets the required qualifications, experience, and expertise.
• A Technical Proposal demonstrating the Consultant’s understanding of the Terms of Reference, the proposed methodology/approach, and timelines for the respective deliverables; and
• A financial proposal/budget, which must include all expenses related to the assignment e.g. professional fee, travel cost and Living Allowance.

Incomplete applications e.g., without Technical and financial/budget proposal will not be considered. If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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.