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For every child, hope 

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

While in most countries ECCE is implemented with a significant public spending component, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region the private sector (for- and not- for profit), including non-governmental organizations (NGO) and community-based, is an important provider of ECCE services, and limited fiscal space is dedicated to supporting ambitious Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies and equity in the delivery of services in particular for the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). The scale and scope of local private sector engagement varies depending on the country context. The provision of pre-primary, education, for example, is highly fragmented between public and private service providers.

Independent of the level of participation, private sector engagement in ECCE is virtually non-regulated in most countries, with a lack of system-wide standards of quality, HR staff policies, and equity applied. Nonetheless, growing business engagement at country level can be key to expanding the coverage of ECCE services. It needs to be paced with the creation of an enabling environment for quality services and key policy linkages, and to be articulated through public private multi-stakeholder approaches for the development, financing, and provision of services. Equity and accessibility to these services are crucial factors which will require the appropriate combination of social and fiscal policies to facilitate access for the most vulnerable groups, expand coverage to rural areas and underserved locations, and help sustain the demand for ECCE services among the population.

Background

Undertake a deep analysis of the private sector (i.e. non-public) contribution to the provision of ECCE services — including for profit, not-for-profit, formal, and informal — in relation to the national ECD strategies, regulations and policies, and delegation of services at sub-national levels, with the purpose to inform the expansion of ECCE services for the underserved and most vulnerable families.

The objective of this study is to understand the current situation of childcare services for young children (0-5 years), and the strengths and challenges of the existing childcare services provided by the private sector, and its connection with government regulations and incentives.

Eventually, the output of this consultancy should inform:

• the understanding of the supply and demand landscape of private/non-public ECCE service providers in selected countries (Who, what is offered, why and how)
• the readiness and obstacles to apply common standards of quality and equity across all types of private ECCE service providers with the purpose of expanding ECCE services.
• the development of multi-stakeholder approaches to support and increase the provision of quality services by the private sector, its financing, and its contribution to national efforts toward the establishment of Family Friendly Policies (FFP) and solutions.
• the development of public-private partnership models of institutional cooperation, and support to institutional anchoring, and policy coherence of public-private ECCE alternatives.

Statement of Work

The proposed methodology by the consultant must consider the ongoing policy work and local context of each of the 3 countries covered by this research work. A rapid country profile for each of the 3 countries to support the development of the consultant proposal. In addition, the proposal should take into consideration the different challenges posed by the different country contexts, as well as the inherent challenges linked to the ECD sector. The methodology and the deliverable will include “service provider profiles” which will consist of illustrations of some private sector service providers (formal/informal, for/not-for profit) in each country. Those business profiles should include different parameters that will allow for an analysis of their reach, profitability, quality, equity, and scalability. For inspiration purposes, an example of “service provider profiles” 

 UNICEF may choose more than one supplier for the different country work.

The methodology proposed should include, but is not limited to:

• A literature review of existing analyses and guidelines on childcare systems and private sector services related to the subject of this consultation.
• The collection, systematization, and analysis of secondary and primary data to meet the objectives defined in these terms of reference.
• The development of qualitative and/or quantitative tools and methods for data collection
• A detailed description of the study’s methodological approach and its implementation mechanisms, including indicators, timelines and possible key risks and mitigation measures.
• Definition of the (mostly interview and quality) data collection tools.
• Presentation of the methodology and technique for selecting respondents, encompassing issues of inclusion, equity, and gender
• Presentation of the selection criteria and parameters that will guide the development of “service provider profiles.”

The proposed tools (e.g. questionnaire) for conducting the study must be validated by UNICEF and its partners before their use.

POLICY WORK ALREADY COVERED BY UNICEF AND ITS PARTNERS IN EACH OF THE 3 COUNTRIES

• Detailed summary fiches available for each UNICEF Country Office context and existing activities 
• Development of a curriculum framework as well as a skills framework for the educators and preschool personnel
• The regulatory framework for preschool education and the pedagogical reference framework
• Existing norms and standards for daycare service/kindergartens
• Previous or recent costing of preschool education

CHALLENGES TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND MITIGATED

1. COVERING 3 COUNTRIES & THEIR SPECIFICITIES

• Some countries will have limited offer of services in low-density areas, and hence the identification of possible solutions or models might prove difficult.
• The definition of the scope of the analysis of existing services at the local level will have to be agreed with each country based on the consultant suggestions (nbr and type of localities / regions / municipalities)

2. COVERING INFORMAL/FORMAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AND DEFINING CLEAR AGE RANGE COVERED PER COUNTRY (i.e. 0-3, or 3-5, or both)

• Proposition to focus on daycare services/kindergartens versus pre-school services and the different ministerial counterparts it entails.
• Absence of legal status regarding preschool personnel and their initial and ongoing training, in addition to their low salaries below the minimum wage for the majority
• Ensure alignment of all stakeholders, including traditional preschool and local associations, with the foundational principles of this reference framework

3. INTERMINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & LACK OF AVAILABLE DATA

In most cases, limited data will be available in terms of service coverage and availability.

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• Social or Education Policy, Early Childhood development, Social Sciences, or a related field

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least 10 years of experience with policy analysis and development, especially in the context of education and/or ECD services is required.
• Strong analytical skills to assess the local landscape of ECCE services, including supply and demand dynamics is desired.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis, including qualitative and quantitative research methods is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present findings and recommendations is desired.
• Ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, NGOs, and community-based organizations is required.
• In-depth understanding of public systems, policies, and regulations, particularly in the MENA region, experience in the context of ECD services preferred.
• Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities related to private sector engagement in ECCE/ECD preferred.
• Awareness of best practices in ECCE/ECD quality standards and equity measures is required. • Familiarity with public-private partnership models and multi-stakeholder approaches preferred.
• Proven track record of working on projects involving the analysis of public and private sector contributions to social services delivery, especially in the context of education and/or ECD services is required.

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. AtIn 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.