Individual Consultancy to Design a Gender-Transformative Childcare Model

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 fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF prides itself on its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to create a workplace where everyone can belong and grow.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position focuses on designing a gender-transformative childcare model that integrates feminist and gender frameworks. The consultant will conduct a literature review and contextual analysis, engage stakeholders, assess risks, and design the childcare model. The work will align with UNICEF's Gender Policy 2021-2030 and Action Plan 2026-2029, emphasizing investments in adolescent girls' health, nutrition, education, skills, and protection while promoting norms change and male involvement. The consultant is expected to apply the 5R model to ensure that the childcare model is gender-responsive and addresses the needs of caregivers and children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review and contextual analysis to inform the design of the childcare model.
• Engage with stakeholders to assess risks and safeguards related to childcare and gender issues.
• Design a gender-transformative childcare model that incorporates the 5R framework.
• Ensure that the model aligns with UNICEF's Gender Policy and Action Plan.
• Facilitate participatory research and co-creation processes with caregivers, adolescents, and communities.
• Develop proposals and documentation that reflect the findings and recommendations from the consultancy work.
• Collaborate with UNICEF teams and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the childcare model.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in childcare, early childhood development, social protection, gender programming, child rights, public policy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, evaluating, or strengthening childcare and community-based care programs.
• Strong understanding of childcare systems, care economy, and child wellbeing frameworks.
• Experience in integrating childcare interventions within social protection, education, health, and gender equality programs.
• Proven ability to apply gender-transformative and child rights-based approaches in program design and implementation.
• Experience in facilitating participatory research and stakeholder engagement processes.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Gender Studies, Social Policy, Development Studies, Child Development, Public Policy, or a related field is required. Candidates with experience in designing gender-responsive social protection or childcare programs, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, will be preferred.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, with a focus on childcare, early childhood development, and gender programming. Experience working with adolescent populations, including adolescent mothers, and familiarity with the Kenyan social protection system is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kiswahili is mandatory. Additional language skills may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 9 months, and the working arrangement is office-based with travel requirements. This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, necessitating additional vetting and assessment. UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and maintains a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives.