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The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Consultant will be based in Nampula Field Office, under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office and with technical supervision of the Maputo based Nutrition Officer. The ECD Consultant is responsible for the coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of early child development programmes in Nampula Province.

Scope of Work:

Nutritional context

Chronic malnutrition rates have been slowly reducing in recent decades, with a current estimate of 38% prevalence among children under 5. Although infant mortality has reduced substantially over the same period, rates remain unacceptably high, with a rate of 39/1,000. Data from DHS 2022-2023 shows that 49% cover 4 or more antenatal consultations, 56% of children under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed, only 5% of children have a minimum acceptable diet, 39% of children from 24-59 are on good track about health, learning and psychosocial well-being.

Concerning newborns, their mortality and survival in Mozambique is intrinsically linked to the survival, health and nutrition of women of reproductive age, during pregnancy and between pregnancies. The periods of greatest risk of mortality for women and newborns are the hours before childbirth and the hours and days following it. The high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality are also influenced by the high frequency of teenage pregnancy, which contributes to increased exposure to obstetric and neonatal risks, and is also a contributing factor to prematurity, which is responsible for 50% of neonatal deaths in the country.

Low birth weight affects 14 % of children nationwide, and this is a contributing factor to child malnutrition in the country, indicating the importance of promoting maternal nutrition and prenatal care, such as the treatment of infections related to premature births and low birth weight.

Nampula Province has a 47% prevalence of chronic malnutrition, the highest in the country, 62% of Exclusive Breastfeeding and with regard to food consumption, the data shows that 13% of children aged 6-23 months consume a minimum acceptable diet, i.e. they consume 5 or more of the 8 food groups, and the frequency of feeding is 9%, i.e. they consume between 2 and 3 meals throughout the day and 0.4% have a minimum acceptable diet.

Malnutrition is the main underlying cause of child mortality in Mozambique, associated with at least a third of infant deaths, and during childhood it can have a permanent impact on children’s growth and cognitive development, reducing their potential for educational success and future productivity. It’s the consequence of a child not receiving the nurturing care required to develop and grow well.

ECD context

Children have the right to reach their full development from early childhood throughout life. The scientific research focusing on early brain development confirms that the quality of the experiences within the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is particularly critical because it is within this period that the brain develops most rapidly, with vital changes occurring in all domains – language and communication, social skills and emotional control, recognition and understanding of symbols in the environment and the development of attitudes and aptitudes to learning and living.The brain of a young child needs multiple experiences to develop and the need for early childhood development (ECD) emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach including critical inputs from the sectors of Health, Education and Child Protection/ Social Development to support the development of boys and girls.

UNICEF defines ECD as the period from conception up to primary school entry (5 years). The early childhood period encompasses several distinct phases: from ‘conception to birth’ and from ‘birth to 3 years’ – with emphasis on the first 1,000 days (from conception to 24 months) – followed by the ‘preschool and pre-primary years (3 years to 5 or 6 years, or the age of primary school entry). This is a unique window of opportunity for children’s cognitive, social, emotional

Opportunities and enabling environment

In the context of ECD, UNICEF has been working at National Level and at districts of Nacala-Velha and Monapo in Nampula Province. This UNICEF investment has financial support from the Hilton Foundation and aims to accelerate the implementation of ECD interventions, both at national and provincial level with advocacy and coordination actions to elevate ECD at Government agenda and strengthen capacity building of community, health facility and institutional level stakeholders on ECD. Within this package, health and nutrition actions are implemented, accompanied by a very comprehensive behavior change communication package.

During the last three years an enabling environment was created within the Ministry of Health with significant achievements: an ECD technical working group with participation of different departments was established; a three-year action plan for ECD was developed; a competence-based curriculum for physiotherapists and prosthetics was developed with ECD integrated; ECD content was included in the “UpScale” digital platform for data collection from community health workers; UNICEF advocated successfully for “ECD 2030” indicators to be integrated into the upcoming national Demographic and Health Survey; and finally, multisectoral round tables with civil society and private sector participation promoted opportunities for effective multisectoral coordination which is ongoing.

Methodology

The consultant will work in close collaboration and under the guidance of the ECD focal points of Provincial Health Directorate (DPS) and Nutrition Specialist, under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office in Nampula Province. A UNICEF Nutrition Officer based in Maputo will be responsible for overseeing the work done.

A monthly work plan will be prepared by the consultant and jointly reviewed by UNICEF and DPS Nampula, where the objectives and products will be described.

Objectives

The main objective of the consultancy is:

• Provide technical support to the Nampula Health Provincial Directorate on the implementation of the early child development programme in Nampula, promoting the holistic growth and development of children, ensuring activities are aligned with best practices aligned with the Nurturing Care Framework and coordinate the implementation of ECD activities among the different partners that have presence in Nampula Province with Hilton Foundation support.

Activities to be undertaken

1. Program Advocacy and Coordination:

• Oversee coordination among different partners implementing ECD activities and monitor early childhood activities implementation at the province or district level;

• Support the creation of a Multisectoral Technical Working Group at Provincial and District level

• Lead the working group on application of the Nurturing care framework for multi-agency and multi – sector programming

• Take lead on the organization of ECD roundtables at Provincial level

• Coordinate and execute multi-year advocacy campaign on ECD involving all provincial and district stakeholders

2. Community Engagement:

• Organize community-based workshops and events to support child development and parental involvement;

• Coordinate with SBC team the implementation of ECD interventions at the community level

3. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Implement monitoring and evaluation plans to assess program effectiveness and impact.

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor program activities and provide on-site support.

• Set up of a M&E framework and visual dashboard for progress monitoring for ECD programme in Nampula

• Review and report on the data collected on ECD at community and health facility level community and Health facility feedback.

4. Partnership and Networking:

• Develop and maintain partnerships with local government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

• Represent the organization at local forums and networks focused on early childhood development.

• Supporting the mapping of ECD partners at provincial level

5. Capacity Building:

• Supporting the organization and attendance on Nutrition Intervention Package (PIN) and on Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) at district level;

6. Resource Management:

• Supporting the mobilization of funds for the implementation of the health sector ECD plan;

7. Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare regular progress reports on program activities and outcomes

• Document success stories, challenges, and lessons learned using this information to improve programs and demonstrate impact to stakeholders and funders.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Child Development, Social Work or a related field is required.   The required qualification must be proven by declarations and diplomas issued by accredited public or private entities, national or foreign.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood development, education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in program management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience in staff supervision and capacity building.
• Proven track record of working with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of early childhood development theories and practices.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Proficient in project management and data analysis.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The detailed consultancy terms of reference is downloadable via this link  ToR_ECD Consultant (Nampula).pdf

If interested and available to undertake the individual consultancy, please submit your application online and attach the required documents including an all-inclusive financial proposal  and a technical proposal incorporating an approximate number (14) of travel days for field (local) travel. The Financial Proposal should include professional fees, travel, DSA and communication fees, and any other proposed fees as applicable. UNICEF will provide transport support for field related trips.

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 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. AtIn 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.