Consultant – To Provide technical and related support to the Department of Basic Education’s ECD Directorate on early learning and development (DBE – based)

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, results

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: 

Goal:  Under the supervision of the Education Manager (ECD) and the Director responsible for ECD at the Department of Basic Education, or a designed official in the Directorate, the consultant will provide technical and related support to the Department of Basic Education’s ECD Directorate on the implementation of on early learning and development programmes as set out in this terms of reference.

Objectives:

• To provide technical support for the implementation of early childhood development programme through play-based pedagogies with particular emphasis on the implementation of the NCF and the CAPS.
• To provide professional secretarial support for all technical task teams under the leadership of the ECD Directorate related to ECD.
• To provide technical support to the staff in the ECD Directorate on the implementation of UNICEF supported programmes, such as ECDmobi and the P.L.A.Y. online course.
• To provide technical support and assistance to the ECD Directorate and other relevant units of the Department of Basic Education on the function shift of ECD from Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education, and sub-components related to the function shift.
• To provide technical support to the ECD Directorate on areas related to the implementation of the National ECD Policy
• To assist the Director responsible for ECD at the DBE in the preparation of technical reports.
• Any other duty that may be assigned by the Director responsible for ECD at the DBE related to the above purpose. 

How can you make a difference?

The consultant shall execute the assignment under the close supervision of the Director responsible for ECD at the DBE and the Education Manager (ECD) at UNICEF with a focus on the following in relation to the objectives spelled out in paragraph 2.1.2 above:

Provide technical support to the ECD Directorate of the DBE in the implementation of the programme of collaboration with UNICEF as spelt out in the work plan in relation to early learning and development.

Provide technical support and assistance as agreed with the Director ECD related to the APP on the following:

• implementation and migration to the Department of Basic Education of the P.L.A.Y. online in-service training;
• implementation of ECDmobi within the Department of Basic Education;
• human resource development matters related to the early childhood development, inclusive of policy, planning and training on the NCF as to support the implementation of play-based learning;
• the development of a quality assurance and improvement framework;
• the development of basic standards and guidelines for quality assessment
• areas related to the implementation of the National ECD Policy by the Department of Basic Education; and
• engage with provinces, training institutions and implementing partners on matters pertaining to the technical assistance to be provided above or as otherwise agreed.

Provide technical support and assistance as agreed with the Director ECD on technical matters related to the function shift of ECD from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education, inclusive of technical sub-projects related to it.

Assist the Director ECD in the preparation of technical reports related to the above areas.

Collects and assembles data and background on matters pertaining to the technical assistance to be provided through this assignment and provides updated information on programme/project financial and administrative status for analysis and report purposes.

Participate in planning and monitoring on matters pertaining to the technical assistance to be provided through this assignment to identity and analyze bottlenecks; recommends courses of action to supervisor and assist where necessary to implement recommendations in relation to play-based learning.

Any other duty that may be assigned by the Director ECD related to the purpose of this assignment.

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

• A minimum of an advanced degree or equivalent in education, early childhood education, basic education, child psychology, social sciences or related technical fields 
• Knowledge of early learning and development and the ECD sector in South Africa is a requirement.
• Minimum of three years professional work experience in ECD, education, programme management in an education field, preferably in curriculum as well as sound analytical and policy experience.
• Sound knowledge of current developments in the field of early learning and basic education, including a clear articulation of play-based learning across the education curriculum (NCF and CAPS).
• Good skills in MsWord and MsExcel as well as excellent and concise writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel and a valid driver’s license.
• Proactive and energetic approach to work.
• Ability and commitment to work under tight timeframes
• Fluency in English is required. 

Work Assignment Overview:  VA TOR for ECD Function shift Consultants_ECD Directorate Final.docx

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS:

The consultant will be bases at the Department of Basic Education. The contract will be managed by UNICEF and the day to day work of the consultant will be supervised by the Director for Early Childhood Development. UNICEF and the Department of Basic Education are jointly responsible for the monitoring of the implementation of this assignment and shall execute this in a professional and consultative manner throughout the term of the contract. The consultant shall have no expectation for the extension of this contract nor for any continuation of the work associated with this assignment through part-time or full-time employment by the Department of Basic Education or UNICEF.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=545260 by 22 October 2021.

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).  

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.