Country: Kyrgyzstan
Closing date: 29 Jul 2019
Background
In support of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, UNICEF is providing technical assistance to the national reform of early childhood development (ECD) and early childhood education (ECE) system to enhance access and inclusiveness, provide opportunities for the youngest age groups (0 to 3 and 3 to 5), and promote positive nurturing and parenting across the country. UNICEF and the Government’s joint work is focused on the national institutional level, with a package of legislative and regulatory reforms, as well as strengthened service delivery on the ground, that are planned to enhance, extend, and improve the nation’s ECD/ECE system.
In 2018, the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) launched a new initiative to increase the coverage services by offering an alternative ECD/ECE model: Child Development Centers (CDCs). These CDCs, currently being piloted in eight libraries across the country, are the space where trained librarians engage parents/caregivers and children in ECD activities and offer trainings for parents/caregivers to develop positive, safe, constructive and healthy relationships with their children. UNICEF supported the initiative by offering the pilot CDCs with necessary educational and training materials and three-day training for librarians. As a next step, the Government plans to scale up the model to next 40 libraries based on lessons-learnt from the eight pilot CDCs.
Objective/purpose of the consultancy/services
The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support to the MoES of the Kyrgyz Republic in achieving results on increasing the coverage of quality ECD and ECE services and capacity building programs for teachers and parents/caregivers. The main task of the national consultant is to develop two additional training modules on Early Child development and learning methodologies in line with gender and inclusive education principles for CDCs librarians and parents/caregivers and conduct the training during August – October 2019 and March 2020in the eight pilot CDCs. In addition, the consultant will scale up the existing training on peacebuilding/social cohesion in ECD for the new pilot kindergarten’s teachers. as well as develop and conduct trainings on inclusive education in 10 pilot kindergartens.
Scope of work and key tasks
Develop two 3 days training models and materials for librarians and parents/caregivers, for kindergartens teachers – to use for their implementation in the CDCs and kindergartens, to ensure that services are inclusive and gender responsive.
Conduct trainings on inclusive education and gender responsive child development for librarians and pre-school teachers in pilot areas.
Review existing standards and programs of quality early childhood education and the environment to standardize the quality of service and conditions of CDCs and any ECD/ECE facilities.
Help to develop gender disaggregated comprehensive and systematic monitoring and data collection framework for CDCs, State-sponsored and private ECD/ECE services in the country.
Review the legal-regulatory framework for the CDCs and other ECE/ECD programming, including key authorizing language in relevant legislative acts and Model Regulations to aid the functioning and quality of alternative ECE/ECD programming
Deliverables
July. 2019
Aug.2019
Sept, 2019
Oct, . 2019
Nov, 2019
Dec,. 2019
Jan,. 2020
Feb,. 2020
Mar,. 2020
Apr,. 2020
May,. 2020
June.2020
1
Gender sensitive training models and materials in line with inclusive approach for both librarians and parents/caregivers developed.
V
V
2
Trainings for 35 librarians in eight pilot CDCs conducted.
V
V
V
V
V
3
Trainings on inclusive education conducted in 10 kindergartens
V
V
V
V
V
V
4
Training on Peacebuilding in ECD conducted in about 40
(80 teachers)kindergartens
V
V
V
V
V
V
5
Existing standards and programs standardized.
V
V
V
6
Monitoring/mentoring of the implementation of CDC provided
V
V
V
V
V
V
7
The legal-regulatory framework for the CDCs and quality of alternative ECE/ECD programming is reviewed.
V
V
8
Document CDC piloting process and activities, as well as to summarize lessons learned.
V
V
V
9
Final report on activities
V
V
10
Monthly Briefs
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Reporting and supervision
The consultant will report to and supervised by ECD Officer in consultation with the Chief, Child Survival and Development.
Qualification/level requirements
Postgraduate degree in education, ECD/or social sciences, humanities;
Minimum 5 years of practical experience in the field of education, educational policies and reform in the early childhood education, trainer’s skills;
Previous work/experience with similar projects;
Experience in work with international organizations and consultants;
Knowledge of UNICEF priorities would be an asset;
Good writing and communication skills;
Experience and ability to work in a team.
Strong analytical skills
Fluency in Russian and Kyrgyz languages. Proficiency in English is an asset.
Duty station and official travel involved
Duty station is Bishkek with possible in-country and international travels.
As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Individuals interested in the consultancy are required to indicate their all-inclusive fees (including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable) for the services to be provided.
If UNICEF determines that the consultant needs to travel in order to perform his or her assignment that travel shall be specified in the contract. In cases where travel costs have not been set out in the consultancy, the consultant is expected to submit, within ten days of completion of a specific travel, a voucher for reimbursement of travel expenses to the appropriate Operations / Human Resources manager. Reimbursements shall only be processed if travel was duly authorized in the consultancy or by an authorized manager of the contracting division or office, in writing and prior to the travel. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas/insurance.
Daily subsistence allowance costs for field visits shall not exceed the DSA rates as per Interoffice memo on harmonized inter oblast DSA rates recommended for project personnel, local consultants, experts and national implementing partners.
Consultants and individual contractors traveling on behalf of UNICEF must meet the standard trip prerequisites, including but not limited to Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, the Basic and Advanced Security in the Field Trainings, Travel Visa, and liability waiver (see Annex 1). Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.
Payment terms
The Consultant will be paid monthly based on submission of progress reports reflecting successful completion of the above deliverables.
Duration
11,5 months
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=523969