Consultant for UAPI Implementation

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF Brazil is dedicated to prioritizing the quality of early childhood care services to ensure children's rights and full development. The organization has been operational since its establishment and has a significant presence in various sectors, including Health and Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, and Social Policy. UNICEF Brazil's initiatives, such as the UAPI (Unidade Amiga da Primeira Infância), aim to enhance early childhood development through partnerships with municipal governments and various stakeholders. The organization operates in multiple Brazilian capitals and collaborates with local authorities to improve services for children and families.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the UAPI methodology in Manaus. This position involves providing technical assistance to municipal teams, analyzing indicators, and understanding territorial dynamics to refine the UAPI methodology. The consultant will be responsible for developing an evaluation and certification framework, monitoring tools, and an integrated training calendar. The role requires collaboration with UNICEF and municipal secretariats to ensure effective intersectoral coordination and the successful delivery of early childhood services. The consultant will also be tasked with producing various reports and documentation to track progress and recommend improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include providing technical support to the UNICEF team in Manaus, facilitating regular technical meetings with municipal secretariats, conducting structured field missions to UAPI participating units, supporting the application of monitoring tools, structuring an integrated training calendar, and producing periodic progress reports. Specific deliverables include an initial report and work plan, baseline analysis report, training schedule and plan, reports on field activities, and a consolidated final report summarizing results and recommendations for UAPI continuity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong academic background in Social Work, Social Sciences, Public Health, Public Policy, or related fields, with a bachelor's degree as a minimum requirement and a master's degree considered advantageous. Additionally, at least five years of professional experience in planning, monitoring, or evaluating public policies focused on early childhood is essential. Proven experience with the Unified Health System (SUS), the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), and early childhood education is required. Candidates should also have solid knowledge of early childhood care policies, programs, and indicators, as well as experience in results-based management and intersectoral agendas with government agencies.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as Social Work, Social Sciences, Public Health, or Public Policy. A master's degree in these areas is considered a plus, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of the complexities involved in early childhood development and public policy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas related to early childhood, particularly in planning, monitoring, or evaluating public policies. Candidates should have demonstrated experience working with the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), as well as a strong understanding of early childhood education frameworks and policies.

Languages:
Fluency in Brazilian Portuguese is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with local teams and stakeholders. While additional language skills may be beneficial, proficiency in Portuguese is critical for the successful execution of the consultant's responsibilities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract is expected to last for six months, with no domestic or international travel planned, as all activities will be conducted within Manaus. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that all necessary visa and health insurance requirements are met for the duration of the contract. Selected candidates must also confirm their fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a WHO-endorsed vaccine, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely. The position does not offer benefits typically associated with staff members of UNICEF, and consultants are responsible for their tax liabilities.