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For every child, a future

Purpose of activity/assignment:
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise for implementing an Early Childhood Education (ECE)
intervention in four Eastern Region provinces. The national consultant will collaborate with an international technical
lead consultant to refine the ECE curriculum, design and deliver continuous professional development for teachers,
improve teaching materials (including low-cost local options), strengthen family-school connections, engage parents
and communities, and establish an effective monitoring and evaluation system.

Scope of work:

The national consultant will collaborate closely with the international technical lead to guide the design and implementation of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) intervention in four Eastern Region provinces. Key areas of support include:

• Enhancing curriculum and classroom practices Based on the ECE quality assessment recommendations, the consultant will help integrate play-based methodologies, climate change awareness, and gender responsiveness into the curriculum. This will involve developing teacher training modules on play-based learning, creating low-cost/no-cost materials, and refining classroom routines. The consultant will work with national ECE trainers to embed climate change and gender themes where feasible.
• Strengthening teacher professional development With limited prior training, ECE teachers need a comprehensive program to effectively implement play-based and other pedagogical approaches. The consultant will lead training for 15 national ECE master trainers and 255 teachers using a Training of Trainers (ToT) model. Ongoing technical support, including classroom observations and mentoring, will be provided to ensure the successful integration of the revised curriculum.
• Enhancing parental and community engagement Active parental and community involvement is crucial for improving learning outcomes and retention. The consultant will support the implementation of parenting programs, the integration of developmental screening tools, and the establishment of community-based ECE committees. This will promote greater engagement and support for ECE teachers and students.
• Compliance with Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS): The consultant should ensure that the project Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) requirements are integrated in module development, training and capacity building, and all associated activities. The incumbent should also support the ECE workforce with cascading ESS requirements on the ground mandated by UNICEF including Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) awareness, Code of Conduct (CoC) adherence, and safe learning environments. 

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

•  A bachelor’s degree in education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field, with a specialization in Early Childhood Education, Parenting Education, or a relevant discipline.  
• At least 3 years in the humanitarian or development sector, with expertise in designing and implementing Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs. Experience in parental and community engagement, parenting education, and psychosocial support for children and caregivers is essential.
• Strong skills in conducting research, impact assessments, and program evaluations using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Ability to analyze and report training outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and leadership skills. Ability to deliver clear messages, lead interactive learning sessions, and manage diverse teams while upholding ethical and inclusive practices.
• Proficiency in conducting quantitative and qualitative research, needs assessments, and data analysis for ECE programs.
• Experience in facilitating consultations with diverse groups, including parents, caregivers, and educators, on ECE, preprimary education, nutrition, and child health.
• Strong presentation, writing and translation skills in English, Dari/Pashto.
• Understanding of ECD, early education, and gender issues in Afghanistan. Familiarity with UNICEF policies and approaches is an advantage. 
• Excellent English writing and communication skills as well as command of Dari Pashto are required.

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. 

Applicants are requested to apply through the provided link: https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/DHR/SitePages/Vacancies.aspx?job=581469

Applications received via ACBAR jobs online portal will not be given consideration.