Consultant for Early Childhood Development

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a global organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of children and ensuring their well-being. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in over 150 countries, employing thousands of staff members who work tirelessly to provide assistance and support to children and families in need. The organization's mission is to promote the rights of every child, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and protection from harm. UNICEF's work is guided by the principles of equity, inclusion, and sustainability, striving to reach the most disadvantaged children and communities.

Job Overview:
The consultant's primary purpose is to strengthen parenting, care, and support for families by developing the capacities of educators and technical teams at Child Development Centers (CDIs). This role focuses on a rights-based approach and comprehensive care, progressively improving the quality of educational interventions and family support through innovative, inclusive, and culturally relevant methods. The consultant will contribute directly to the 'Love for the Little Ones' program and the sustainability of its results. This technical support is part of the Biannual Work Plan (PBT) 2026–2027 between the Ministry of Family (MIFAM) and UNICEF, aligning with the National Poverty Reduction Plan and the National Early Childhood Policy. The consultant will facilitate formal training processes and workshops for early childhood technicians, directors, and educators on Child Development, promoting parenting practices using technology and communication information.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Strengthening Capacities: Facilitate formal training processes and workshops for early childhood technicians and educators on Child Development and the School of Values with Love for Early Childhood.
• Implementing the curriculum for children aged 0 to 3 years, developing its monitoring and evaluation framework and information system.
• Providing technical support in replicating the 'Caring for the Caregiver' workshops.
• Supporting the follow-up of rehabilitation processes in water, sanitation, and hygiene in selected CDIs.
• Identifying achievements, gaps, good practices, and relevant lessons learned for the sustainability of interventions.
• Coordinating with the Early Childhood Directorate, external cooperation, and IT for consensus on proposed methodologies to achieve established products.
• Generating technical reports, presentations, photographic memories, and success stories. The consultant will also be expected to deliver various products and reports at specified deadlines, including a validated work plan, training proposals, monitoring instruments, and final consultancy reports.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify as an advocate for every child, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, social work, or other related social sciences. Specialization studies in Early Childhood Education or related fields are required. Postgraduate studies in disability and inclusion are an advantage.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in designing, implementing, or managing programs and/or projects related to Early Childhood Development (ECD). Proven experience in training, mentoring, and providing technical support to technical and operational staff (educators, tutors), including the application of pedagogical methodologies with an inclusion focus, as well as strengthening institutional capacities at both central and territorial levels, and managing systems and databases. Desirable experience in inter-institutional work and coordination with entities of the National Social Welfare System (MIFAM, MINSA, MINED) is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as psychology, sociology, social work, or other related social sciences. Additionally, specialization studies in Early Childhood Education or related fields are required. Postgraduate studies in disability and inclusion are considered advantageous for this position.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the design, implementation, or management of programs and/or projects related to Early Childhood Development (ECD). This experience should include proven capabilities in training, mentoring, and providing technical support to early childhood educators and operational staff, as well as experience in applying inclusive pedagogical methodologies and strengthening institutional capacities at various levels.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is Spanish. Proficiency in Spanish is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the role. Additional language skills may be considered an advantage, particularly if they enhance the consultant's ability to engage with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is remote, with online or in-person coordination meetings between the supervisor and the consultant as needed. The consultancy will last for 18 months from the contract signing date, with activities and products executed progressively throughout the period according to the annual planning and performance. It is essential that the consultant resides in Nicaragua to participate in this consultancy. Interested candidates must submit a technical and financial proposal, along with documents supporting their academic background and professional experience. The technical proposal should be three pages long and include the topic approach, methodology, and work plan. The financial proposal must include a reasonable budget covering insurance, accommodation, food, and transportation within the country. The consultancy will require at least one annual field visit to selected CDIs or MIFAM departmental delegations during the consultancy period, and all associated costs must be included in the financial proposal. The consultant must have their own workspace, equipment, materials, and administrative services necessary for the consultancy's development. Additionally, the consultant must obtain medical and personal accident insurance valid in Nicaragua, as UNICEF will not assume responsibility for accidents. All products and reports must be delivered in digital format, and all generated documents will be the exclusive property of UNICEF.