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 promote the rights and well-being of every child. The organization focuses on reaching the most disadvantaged children, ensuring their survival, development, and protection. UNICEF's mission is to advocate for children's rights, provide essential services, and support governments in creating policies that benefit children. With a workforce of thousands of employees worldwide, UNICEF collaborates with various partners to implement programs that address critical issues affecting children, such as education, health, and protection from violence and exploitation.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the central government and selected municipalities in Kosovo to identify and address barriers to universal access to pre-primary education for children aged

• This position involves strengthening data systems and local planning capacities to ensure sustainable expansion of Early Childhood Education (ECE) services for children aged 0-
• The consultant will work closely with the UNICEF Kosovo team and other experts in public finance for children initiatives. The primary objectives include analyzing institutional barriers to enrollment, developing actionable recommendations for local governments, and creating costed plans for expanding ECE services. The consultant will engage in data collection, stakeholder interviews, and site visits to gather insights and develop a comprehensive understanding of the current ECE landscape in Kosovo.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a thorough analysis of the barriers preventing universal enrollment of 5-year-old children in pre-primary education, focusing on three selected municipalities. This includes identifying systemic and local factors contributing to under-enrollment, such as inaccurate population projections, incomplete data from private providers, and geographic access barriers.
• Develop municipality-specific and system-wide recommendations for addressing enrollment gaps based on the analysis.
• Collaborate with municipal authorities to map the current ECE service landscape, assessing infrastructure, human resources, and coverage gaps.
• Create cost projections for various ECE service delivery models, including public, private, and community-based approaches.
• Develop a phased implementation plan aligned with municipal budgeting cycles, outlining immediate steps for piloting proposed options.
• Prepare an inception report detailing the approach, methodology, and stakeholder engagement plan.
• Conduct data collection and analysis, including both secondary data review and primary data collection through interviews and focus groups.
• Draft and finalize a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations and a PowerPoint presentation for stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in economics, public policies, governance, or related fields. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant working experience is acceptable. A minimum of five years of experience in public policies within social sectors, public economics, or public financial management is required. Additionally, candidates should have at least three years of experience in budget analyses, costing, and financing strategies, preferably with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). Experience with EU financing mechanisms and previous work with UNICEF or other UN agencies will be considered assets. Familiarity with local government institutions in Kosovo and experience with Ministries of Economy and/or Finance are also advantageous.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in economics, public policies, governance, or a related field is required. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree must have substantial relevant experience (10 years) to qualify. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in economic analysis, public policy formulation, and governance principles, which are essential for addressing the complexities of early childhood education in Kosovo.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant working experience in public policies related to social sectors, public economics, or public financial management. Candidates should have at least three years of experience in conducting or supervising budget analyses and developing financing strategies. Specific experience in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is highly desirable, along with familiarity with EU financing mechanisms and previous engagements with UNICEF or other UN agencies. Experience working with local and central government institutions in Kosovo is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in one of the local languages. This bilingual requirement ensures effective communication with local stakeholders and enhances the consultant's ability to engage with diverse communities in Kosovo. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in facilitating outreach to vulnerable communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be full-time, with a contract duration that aligns with the project timeline. The selected candidate will not be considered a staff member under the UN regulations and will not receive benefits such as leave entitlements or medical insurance coverage. The consultant is responsible for their tax liabilities and must ensure valid visa and health insurance for the contract duration. Selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely. UNICEF promotes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.