Consultant for Early Childhood Development

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the joint supervision of the Director responsible for Early Childhood Development (ECD) at the Department of Basic Education and the Early Childhood Development Officer at UNICEF. The role involves providing technical support to enhance early learning and development initiatives in South Africa. The consultant is expected to have a strong understanding of early childhood education, curriculum development, and program management, particularly in the context of play-based learning. The position requires excellent communication skills to produce high-quality written outputs and engage with various stakeholders effectively. The consultant will also be responsible for contributing to the development of policies and practices that support early childhood education and development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to the Department of Basic Education in the implementation of early childhood education programs.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and refine curriculum frameworks that incorporate play-based learning.
• Conduct research and analysis on current trends and developments in early childhood education and development.
• Prepare high-quality reports and documentation to communicate findings and recommendations.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for educators and stakeholders involved in early childhood education.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of early childhood education initiatives and provide feedback for improvement.
• Engage with communities to promote awareness and understanding of early childhood development issues.
• Travel as necessary to support program implementation and stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced degree or equivalent in education, early childhood education, basic education, child psychology, social sciences, or related technical fields.
• A minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience in early learning, education, or program management in the education field, with a focus on curriculum development.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in policy development related to early childhood education.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as education, early childhood education, basic education, child psychology, or social sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in early childhood development and education.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience. This experience should be related to early learning, education, and program management, with a preference for candidates who have worked on curriculum development and have sound analytical and policy experience in the education sector.

Languages:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory. Candidates should be able to produce clear, concise, and high-quality written outputs. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 13.5 months, and the working arrangement is remote with travel requirements. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and all positions are advertised with no processing fees involved.