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, a Champion!

Advert - National Consultant to conduct analysis of early childhood care and education programmes in the Maldives.

In line with the UNICEF’s global commitment to Action on Foundational Learning, UNICEF Maldives Country Office is currently working with Government Partners in formulating a plan to accelerate foundation learning in the Maldives to ensure that foundation learning is a key element of transforming education. Foundational learning is crucial for children to realize their full potential and to meaningfully participate in society. It encompasses basic literacy, numeracy, and essential cognitive and socio-emotional skills that enable individuals to acquire more advanced knowledge and adapt to an ever-changing world. Strong early learning experiences enhance problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and confidence, empowering children to succeed academically and socially.

Ensuring foundational learning for all contributes to productive citizenship, sustainable development, inclusive growth, gender equality, national cohesion, peace and prosperity, and bolsters progress on all other Sustainable Development Goals. Gaps in foundational learning contribute to reduced opportunities for employability, and higher-earning jobs in the future.

Currently Lower Kindergarten and Upper Kindergarten is offered in all islands, subsidized by the government, usually made available at the government schools providing primary and secondary education in the islands. Under the Education Act, Government offers free education to all citizens from Lower Kindergarten until the end of upper secondary education.

Early childhood care and education programmes include nursery, baby nursery and other non-formal classes targeted for children below 4 years of age. Schools and other educational institutions providing services for children below 4 years are also required to register at the Ministry of Education, however, they are unregulated and unmonitored. While pre-

foundation classes such as nursery, baby nursery or play school are available in many islands, they are managed by private parties, councils or women’s development committees.  It is also unclear how these services are provided in the Capital Male’ and in the rest of the country where significant disparities and inequities exists. There is a lack of documentation and research in the area, impeding a clear understanding of how its provided, its challenges, gaps and opportunities in improving nurturing care for young children in the Maldives. 

Understanding early childhood care and education programmes is imperative as they lay the foundation for a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. These programmes not only prepare children for formal schooling but also play a crucial role in equipping parents with the knowledge and skills to support their child’s growth, fostering a nurturing home environment that complements early education and supports parents return to work and work-life balance.

How can you make a difference? 

The objective of this study is to gain a deeper insight into the evolving field of Early Childhood Care and Education in the country, what services exist, how parents are currently engaged and supported and what additional resources or strategies may be needed to enhance the role of families in early childhood education.

For the detailed Terms of Reference, please visit the link: 

 VA -ToR early childhood care and Education Programmes in Maldives.pdf

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

Minimum Requirements:

Education 

•   A minimum of Master’s degree in social sciences, child development, education, and/or related fields. PhD in a similar field will be an added value. 

Work Experience

• Extensive work experience on early childhood development/early learning or social science research and studies.  
• Excellent knowledge and experience on the social sector situation in Maldives.  
• Familiarity with UNICEF mandate and policy, including the human rights-based approach and of gender dimensions.  
• Proven capacity in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis  
• Expertise in communications and facilitation skills, engaging in evidence-based policy dialogue with Government and other key stakeholders.  
• Work sample of their previous work on similar assignments will be an added advantage. 

Language Proficiency

• Excellent writing skills in English
• Excellent communication skills in Dhivehi

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.