Consultor/a Técnico en Educación Inicial

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them reach their full potential from early childhood to adolescence. The organization is committed, passionate, and proud of its work, emphasizing that promoting the rights of every child is not just a job but a vocation. UNICEF's work is guided by its core values of care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability, and it aims to reflect the diversity of the children it serves.

Job Overview:
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to UNICEF's education sector in Colombia. The consultant will design, implement, and document a strategy aimed at improving the quality of early childhood education. This strategy must align with the Technical References and Curriculum Bases established in the country, while also considering the progress made by the national and regional offices in areas such as early literacy, Universal Design for Learning, and essential learning outcomes from early childhood. The consultant will work in the context of the Colombian Ministry of National Education's 2024-2025 Management Report, which highlights the significant number of children enrolled in initial education and the government's efforts to expand coverage and improve quality in early childhood education. The consultant is expected to continue UNICEF Colombia's work on curricular and pedagogical guidelines for early education, focusing on resilience strategies and inclusive education, particularly in areas affected by conflict and migration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and document a comprehensive strategy for improving the quality of early childhood education in Colombia.
• Ensure alignment with national educational standards and frameworks.
• Collaborate with local educational authorities and stakeholders to implement the strategy effectively.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the strategy, providing feedback and recommendations for improvement.
• Develop training materials and resources for educators and stakeholders involved in early childhood education.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for teachers and educational staff.
• Document best practices and lessons learned throughout the consultancy period.
• Prepare reports and presentations on the progress and outcomes of the consultancy work.
• Engage with communities to promote the importance of early childhood education and gather feedback on educational practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Education, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in formulating, implementing, and/or monitoring and evaluating social and educational projects aimed at enhancing the quality of early childhood education and comprehensive care for young children.
• Fluency in Spanish is mandatory.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development, pedagogical and curricular guidelines for early education, and support for early childhood educators.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Social Sciences, Education, or a related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively contribute to the improvement of early childhood education in Colombia.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in the field of early childhood education. This experience should include roles focused on project formulation, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in contexts that aim to enhance the quality of education and comprehensive care for young children. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the education sector in Colombia.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required. The ability to communicate effectively in Spanish is crucial for engaging with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract is for a duration of 12 months and is offered in a remote work modality. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any conduct incompatible with its principles, including exploitation, abuse, and discrimination. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and must ensure that they have the necessary visa and health insurance for the duration of the contract. Candidates are also required to confirm their vaccination status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.