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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, Education  

How can you make a difference? 

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.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are required to submit a financial proposal with an all-inclusive fee.  Please see the financial proposal template here: Consultancy Financial Offer template.docx

• Applications without a financial proposal will not be considered.

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. At 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.