Consultancy for ECE Mapping in KSA, UAE, KWT and BAH, to be carried remotely

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Protection

Early childhood education (ECE) is the foundation for education and lifelong learning. Research and evidence reveal benefits of early childhood education towards enhanced learning outcomes, increased education efficiency (lower repetition and fewer dropouts), and even increased productivity in adulthood.  In the Gulf countries, the provision of ECE has expanded and improved over time but there is significant room for improvement. Specifically, in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates, ECE net enrollment rates range from 20-66%, with gender parity for all countries . Beyond that, most countries lack comprehensive ECE frameworks with priorities for some core functions. For example, most countries provide some form of ECE workforce development but lack quality assurance mechanisms. Limited research prevents a more nuanced understanding of gaps and needs.

 

UNICEF Gulf Area Office (GAO) is committed to supporting the holistic development of young children (ages 0-8), contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 4.2 which requires states to “ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education”.  As part of this commitment, UNICEF aims to better understand Gulf Arab countries’ provision of equitable access to quality early childhood education to determine the possibility of any relevant support in the future.

 

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Gulf Area Office in carrying out an early childhood education mapping and landscaping analysis for the Kingdom of Bahrain (BAH), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), State of Kuwait (KWT), and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Location of Assignment, Reporting Structures, and Timeline and Level of Effort for Deliverables:

The consultant will be mapped to the GAO office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but will perform home-based remote work and engage in virtual consultations. The consultant will report to the GAO Chief of Early Childhood Education with input from the Data and Analytics Specialist and broader MENA Senior Education Team.  The consultant will commence the consultancy on January 17, 2021 and submit all deliverables by April 21, 2022. The table below presents the anticipated deliverables, level of effort, and timeline. Payment will be made upon presentation of final report and presentation.

 

Main Tasks:

 

• Discussion with GAO and Mena education and ECD team members on background and proposed methodology.
• Draft outline for landscape analysis
• Submission of draft landscape analysis for feedback, including a few key stakeholders for validation.
• Incorporation of feedback.
• Final landscape analysis report.
• Informal power point presentation of findings to GAO and MENA education and ECD team members for discussion.

 

Deliverables:

• Outline for the landscape Analysis report
• Landscaping analysis draft report
• Landscaping analysis final report
• representation of findings, with a power point presentation

 

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

• Master’s degree required and/or EdD/PhD preferred in education or early childhood education

• At least 10 years relevant experience in early childhood education policy, planning, and management
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and ability to work effectively among stakeholders
• Highly motivated and self-sufficient, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Previous ECE work experience in Gulf Area countries and/or MENA is required.
• Language skills in Arabic is required

 

 

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

 

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 and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.