Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Senior Rwanda Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Education Outcomes Fund, NYHQ

Duration: June 16, 2025 to June 15, 2028

Home/ Office Based: REMOTE     

About UNICEF 

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) of Rwanda and the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), is launching a programme with the objective of improving child development and school readiness outcomes for children aged 3 – 5 years in community-based ECD centres. To do so, the programme will uplift the quality of existing community based ECD centres and create an environment conducive to early learning, setting the stage for continued educational attainment as these children progress through the education system.  

The programme uses Outcomes Based Finance (OBF) where payments are made to Grantees upon the achievement of pre-defined results. Under this model, pre-defined results are verified by an independent third-party evaluator, and payments are triggered only when results are achieved.  

The programme's outcomes encompass multiple dimensions of ECCE. For this programme, the evaluation of results will focus on the following outcomes of interest:   

• Quality of ECD centers including both structural and process quality.  

• Holistic child development outcomes.  

In addition to the points above, the programme will focus on improving learning and school readiness of children aged 3-5 with extra focus on children with disability. The programme will work in three geographic lots, and each selected grantee will be assigned to a single lot of at least 130 centres. 

Scope of Work:

The consultant will provide strategic and technical guidance to EOF on the management of EOF’s early childhood programme in Rwanda.  

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Deliver at least 15 workshops for government partners and implementing partners on the EOF program in Rwanda. This should cover the fundamentals of outcomes-funds, its key differences from other program models, and the implications for the implementation of EOF’s program in Rwanda. 

Each workshop is estimated to be 1-day in length. 

Deliverable 1: 15 capacity-building workshops with government partners and implementing partners on outcomes-based funds. 

Four workshops by 30.12.2025 

An additional six workshops by 30.12.2026 

The remainder by 15.06.2028

Produce a report focused on the program’s first year of implementation (April 2025 – March 2026), informed by conversations with government partners, each of EOF’s implementing partners, EOF’s independent evaluator, and other key program stakeholders. 

This should be an estimated 20-25 pages, and cover: 

• Technical challenges from the first year of implementation. 

• Progress against EOF’s learning agenda. 

• Reflections from key program stakeholders. 

• A summary of Safeguarding successes and challenges from the program.  

• Progress in the implementation of EOF’s evaluation strategy. 

Program stakeholders include the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), implementing partners, and wider stakeholders in the early childhood sector (multilateral agencies, donors, NGOs, research organisations). 

Deliverable 2: A 20-25 pages report on the program’s first year of implementation incorporating key insights and challenges. 

First draft by 28.02.2026 

Final version by 30.03.2026 

Develop a proposal (estimated 20-page slide deck) for the program’s sustainability beyond the end of the implementation period.  

This should consider the broader ECCE system in Rwanda and lessons-learned from implementing the program and incorporate feedback from key program stakeholders (implementing partners, donors, government partners), and EOF’s central team. The Consultant will be expected to run at least two half-day workshops with key program stakeholders in order to gather feedback and input to develop realistic sustainability proposals. 

The proposal should involve embedding evidence emerging from the programme into government policy and defining with government the goals after the project, including sustainability of the ECD centres under the project and design of future iterations. 

Deliverable 3:  A proposal (estimated 20-page slide deck) for the program’s long-term sustainability incorporating stakeholders; input and program evidence. Two workshops conducted to inform the proposal. 

First draft by 30.08.2027 

Final version by 30.12.2027 

Produce contact reports (estimated 1-2 pages) following meetings with potential donors identified by EOF’s central team.  

Support EOF’s fundraising team to identify potential leads by preparing for meetings, attending discussions, and summarizing key points, actions and next steps. 

Deliverable 4:  100 contact reports from meetings with potential program funders. 

Most of the meetings (at least 60) by 30.12.2025

The remainder by 30.06.2026  

Develop technical guidance and pre-reading materials (estimate 20-slide PowerPoint) and facilitate governance meetings  involving government, grantees (service providers / investors), the independent evaluator and donors.  

The aim of these meetings is to resolve challenges that may arise between government, service providers and the evaluator, actively communicating with all parties to find solutions. This will include providing technical guidance based on sector best practices, the context needs and government priorities. 

Deliverable 5:  Pre-reading materials prepared (estimated 15 slide PowerPoint), and governance meetings successfully facilitated, leading to resolution of key challenges. 

3 governance meetings by 30.12.2025

An additional 3 by 30.12.2026

An additional 3 by 30.12.2027 

Conduct site visits (in coordination with EOF’s contracted independent evaluator) to a sample of program sites (5 sites per visit), ensuring program implementation aligns with standards.  

Write detailed site visit reports summarizing activities, successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.  

Reports must be shared with stakeholders within one month after visits.  

Deliverable 6: 15 Site visits to EOF’s implementing partners conducted, with detailed reports (estimated 5-pages each) summarizing the key observations from the site visits. 

15 occasions through the program: 

• 5 by 30.12.2025

• An additional 4 by 30.12.2026 

• An additional 5 by 30.12.2027 

• The final visit by 30.05.2028

Produce a 30-page report on the program’s third year of implementation (April 2027-March 2028) incorporating insights from key stakeholders: government partners, implementing partners, EOF’s independent evaluator, and others. 

This should be an estimated 30 pages, and cover: 

• Technical challenges from implementation. 

• Progress against EOF’s learning agenda. 

• Reflect views from key program stakeholders. 

• A summary of Safeguarding successes and challenges from the program.  

• Progress in the implementation of EOF’s evaluation strategy. 

• Sustainability plans to sustain the program’s impact beyond the end of the implementation period. 

Program stakeholders include the National Child Development Agency (NCDA) and Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), implementing partners, and wider stakeholders in the early childhood sector (multilateral agencies, donors, NGOs, research organisations). 

Deliverable 7: A comprehensive 30-page report on the program’s third year of implementation reflecting key insights and sustainability considerations 

First draft by 30.12.2027 

Final version by 30.03.2028 

Qualifications

(1) Education

• An Advance University Degree (Masters) in political science, economics, finance, business, education, international development, international public policy, project management, social sciences, communications, or a related field, is required. 

• A Bachelor’s degree will be considered with an additional 2 years’ experience.

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: 

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in managing strategic development programmes with the Government of Rwanda, ideally in the education sector. 

• Direct experience of working with the Government of Rwanda, ideally in the education sector. 

• Experience leading a team and managing multiple stakeholders across complicated projects. 

• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required.

Desired Requirements  

• Experience working in the Rwandan education sector is strongly preferred. 

• Prior experience working with international organisations in development and donors in  Rwanda is preferred. 

• Experience in innovative finance, particularly Outcomes Based Funds, is strongly preferred. 

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and 

- Upload copy of academic credentials 

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

o the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.

o travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. 

o Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.

o Indicate your availability 

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. 

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

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.