International Expert for Early Childhood Development Strategy

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 and ensuring their survival, development, and protection. UNICEF's mission is to advocate for children's rights, provide essential services, and support sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to children's health, education, and protection.

Job Overview:
The position involves providing technical support to the Government of Uzbekistan in developing a comprehensive, evidence-based Early Childhood Development (ECD) strategy. This strategy aims to optimize nurturing care inputs, support healthy child development, and foster sustainable societal growth while enhancing resilience to climate change and environmental risks. The consultant will conduct a thorough assessment of the current ECD landscape, identify best practices, engage stakeholders, and formulate a strategic framework that outlines clear goals and actionable interventions for ECD in Uzbekistan. The role emphasizes the importance of integrating existing policies and addressing systemic barriers to ensure a cohesive approach to ECD.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current ECD landscape in Uzbekistan, including existing policies, programs, and challenges, focusing on early identification and intervention services.
• Identify entry points supported by evidence-based best practices from other countries that can be adapted to the local context.
• Formulate a strategic framework outlining clear goals, objectives, and actionable interventions for ECD.
• Engage relevant stakeholders, including government entities, NGOs, and community organizations, in the development and validation of the ECD strategy.
• Propose mechanisms for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the strategy to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.
• Analyze existing ECD policies, programs, and services, including community-level initiatives, and identify gaps and challenges.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and consultations to gather insights and feedback.
• Review international literature on ECD strategies and identify best practices for adaptation.
• Draft the ECD strategy document, including vision, mission, goals, objectives, and key interventions. 1
• Finalize the ECD strategy document incorporating stakeholder input and revisions, and support the launch of the strategy.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social policy, public health, education, child development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional work experience in policy development, strategic planning, integrated and multi-sectoral approaches, monitoring, and evaluation in the ECD area.
• Strong knowledge of UNICEF ECD Programme Guidelines and UNICEF/WHO Nurturing Care Framework.
• Proven experience in leading the development of evidence-based strategies or policies, particularly in ECD.
• Highly developed analytical and writing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Previous experience working with UNICEF is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in disciplines relevant to social policy, early childhood development, public health, education, or child development. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of ECD and for developing effective strategies and policies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of professional work experience in relevant fields, particularly in policy development, strategic planning, and integrated approaches to early childhood development. This extensive experience is crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities within the ECD landscape in Uzbekistan and for effectively engaging with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the stakeholders involved in the ECD strategy development.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a total of 80 working days, with travel to Uzbekistan required for at least three visits to conduct consultative meetings, draft and finalize the ECD strategy, and support the launch of the strategy. Payment will be based on the submission of agreed deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if the deliverables do not meet the required standards. The selected candidate must ensure that their visa and health insurance are valid for the entire contract period and must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19 prior to taking up the assignment.