Consultant for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Expansion Plans

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children, saving lives, defending rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. UNICEF operates with a workforce dedicated to building a better world for every child, emphasizing education as a critical investment in the future. The organization is committed to ensuring that every child has access to quality education, particularly in challenging environments.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in addressing the low enrollment rates in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where only 42% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early education. The consultant's primary responsibility will be to conduct a situation analysis and needs assessment across 20 municipalities to identify existing capacities, enrollment rates, and gaps in service provision. Following this, the consultant will develop comprehensive ECEC expansion plans for two selected municipalities, focusing on innovative financing solutions and stakeholder engagement to enhance access to ECEC services, particularly for marginalized groups. The consultant will also facilitate consultations with various stakeholders and provide training on resource mobilization strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a situation analysis and needs assessment of the current ECEC landscape in 20 municipalities, focusing on existing capacities, enrollment rates, and service demand, particularly for marginalized groups.
• Identify key challenges and opportunities for ECEC expansion, including recommendations for improving financing mechanisms.
• Develop comprehensive, costed, and time-bound ECEC expansion plans for two selected municipalities, incorporating innovative financing models and alternative service delivery approaches.
• Collaborate with multisectoral working groups to ensure the plans are tailored to local needs and legislative contexts.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and capacity-building sessions, including training on best practices in ECEC financing and governance.
• Ensure the plans include a monitoring framework with key performance indicators for tracking progress and community feedback mechanisms.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in Economics or Public Administration.
• At least 5 years of experience in public sector planning or public finance.
• Strong background in innovative financing and municipal budget planning.
• Experience in conducting situation analyses, needs assessments, and data-driven policy recommendations for governments.
• Knowledge of the local context in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the ECEC sector.
• Excellent capacity building and facilitation skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines effectively.
• Fluency in B/H/S and English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
A university degree in Economics or Public Administration is required for this position, ensuring that the candidate has a solid foundation in the principles of economic planning and public sector management, which are essential for developing effective ECEC expansion plans.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 5 years of relevant experience in public sector planning or public finance, demonstrating a strong understanding of the financial mechanisms and planning processes that govern public services, particularly in the education sector.

Languages:
Fluency in B/H/S (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) and English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with local stakeholders and international partners is crucial for the success of the consultancy.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted in a collaborative manner with local governance and stakeholders, emphasizing a co-design approach. The consultant will not be considered a staff member of UNICEF and will not receive benefits typically afforded to staff, such as medical insurance or leave entitlements. The selected candidate must ensure compliance with local tax laws and visa requirements, and must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless working remotely. The position may involve training sessions and consultations with various stakeholders, and the consultant is expected to adhere to UNICEF's values and principles throughout the assignment.