Consultant for Early Childhood Education

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of children and ensure their well-being. The organization focuses on providing assistance in some of the world's most challenging environments, aiming to reach the most disadvantaged children. UNICEF's mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential, emphasizing education as a fundamental right. With a workforce comprising thousands of employees, UNICEF operates globally, advocating for children's rights and providing essential services to improve their quality of life.

Job Overview:
The consultant's role is to provide technical support for the conceptualization and methodological accompaniment of educational dimensions in 'casitas infantiles' (early childhood care centers). This includes developing resources for a toolkit aimed at enhancing the educational framework of these centers. The 'casitas infantiles' serve as institutional educational care modalities for early childhood, established in 1993 to support working mothers by providing essential educational services for their children. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF Cuba to strengthen the educational aspects of these centers, ensuring they meet the needs of children, families, and communities, particularly in vulnerable and rural areas. The consultant will also be responsible for updating existing manuals and creating new guidelines to facilitate the sustainable opening of these centers, ensuring they are equipped to provide quality education to young children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Update the systematization of 'casitas infantiles' based on a mapping of 170 centers across the country.
• Revise and enhance the implementation manual for 'casitas infantiles,' including the creation and validation of necessary annexes.
• Design and validate instruments to strengthen the diagnosis of territorial needs for initial education coverage to ensure the sustainable opening of 'casitas infantiles.'
• Develop and validate a model for inter-institutional agreements for the joint or community opening of 'casitas infantiles.'
• Create methodological guidelines for implementing a multi-year educational program for early childhood in 'casitas infantiles.'
• Conduct two workshops to validate and enhance capacities regarding educational resources for the toolkit of 'casitas infantiles.'

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a higher education degree in Education, Sociology, Educational Sciences, Social Policy, or related fields. A Master's degree in Educational Sciences or related subjects is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical review capabilities, systematization skills, and manual development expertise. Excellent written communication skills and the ability to produce clear, concise documentation are essential. Candidates should also exhibit a commitment to UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

Educational Background:
A higher education degree (Licenciatura) in relevant fields such as Education, Sociology, Educational Sciences, or Social Policy is required. A Master's degree in Educational Sciences or related fields is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for this consultancy role.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in early childhood education is required. Experience in designing and validating early childhood education programs is a significant advantage, as it demonstrates the candidate's capability to contribute effectively to the objectives of the consultancy.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, given the local context and the need for effective communication with stakeholders. Knowledge of English or other languages may be considered an asset, particularly for accessing international resources and collaboration.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted in Cuba, with a focus on collaboration with local educational authorities and UNICEF. The position may involve field visits and direct engagement with educational practitioners. The contract duration and specific terms will be outlined in the consultancy agreement. UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must comply with health and vaccination requirements as stipulated by UNICEF.