Consultant: School Readiness Specialist, Ukraine, 8 months (Remote)

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UNICEF Ukraine 

Background:

The Ukrainian government is currently undertaking a comprehensive set of education reforms which seek alignment with EU standards for education and which address the new and emerging needs exacerbated by the Russian invasion. The primary focus of these reforms is to enhance the quality and accessibility of public services. A crucial aspect of these efforts involves the improvement of the early childhood and preschool education system, bringing it in line with The EU Council Recommendations on High-Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Systems (2019). This initiative is among “key priority projects” outlined in the Ministry of Education and Science’s Vision for Education 2030 agenda. The overarching goal is to ensure all children, including children with disabilities and from ethnic minorities, in Ukraine have easy access to quality early childhood care and preschool education. UNICEF was requested by the MoES to support the advancement of the early childhood sector in Ukraine. To achieve that, the UNICEF has contracted a consultancy firm which will lead the process of developing standards for early childhood and preschool education in Ukraine.

Purpose of assignment:

UNICEF is seeking applications from qualified specialists in the field of early childhood development and education for ages 0-6 to join a Writing Group tasked with developing the Early Childhood and Preschool Education Standards (ECPES) in Ukraine.

The main objective of the Writing Group, under the guidance of UNICEF and in close cooperation with the contracted consultancy firm, is to develop a comprehensive document: Early Childhood and Preschool Education Standards that adheres to Ukraine’s “On Education” law, and the EU Council’s Guidelines on High-Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Systems. The document will function as a valuable resource, enabling teachers, parents, and caregivers to effectively organize and plan activities across diverse early childhood and preschool education settings, including learning centers and homes.

The members of the Writing Group will work and draft Standards in Ukrainian language, however, will engage directly and indirectly with English speaking experts. Members of the Writing Group who are not speakers of English will be expected to utilize AI translation tools, keep up with foreign language literature on Early Childhood Development, Care and Education and engage in bilingual meetings during which Ukrainian and English language will be used.

The Writing Group will also work closely with the Standards Alignment Team, who will serve as critical friends and who will ensure continuity of Early Childhood Education Standards through their alignment with the Primary Education Standards. The Standards Alignment Team will quality assure all iterations of the Early Childhood and Preschool Education Standards.

Additionally, the Writing Group will collaborate with a Validation Group, which will ensure that the content of the developed standards are age appropriate and who will support all processes leading to their official approval.

The Writing Group members will need to possess or be ready to rapidly develop knowledge and competencies related to diversity and inclusion (disability, ethnic and linguistic minority, gender) and effects of trauma and toxic stress on development of young children.

The Writing Group will be composed of the following specialists:

• ECDE Specialist (specialising in age group 0 to 3)
• ECDE Specialist (specialising in age group 4 to 6)
• School Readiness Specialist (specialising in the first year of Primary and/or final year of pre-primary)
• Language Development and Early Literacy Specialist
• Early Childhood Psychologist with Early Childhood Trauma Specialisation

Short-term input may be provided by the following specialists:

• English as a Second Language Specialist
• Health and Physical Development Specialist
• Art/Music/Movement/Creative Development Specialists
• Pre-STEM Specialists
• Assessment and Data Specialist

How can you make a difference? 

Work assignment overview: 

At the request of the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of the MoES Representative and close guidance of UNICEF and the consultancy firm, and in close collaboration with key intersectoral partners, the School Readiness Specialist will carry out the following activities and will participate in the following processes:

• Participate in kick-off meeting, end-of-process workshop, regular online workshops, meetings and consultations with the Writing Group members, the consultancy firm, the Standards Alignment Team, Validation Group, and other stakeholders
• Prepare a repository of documents from Ukraine and internationally that guide school readiness to inform the development of the standards
• Draft a chapter of the Literature Review, presenting an analysis of Ukrainian and international practice for school readiness. The specialist will incorporate written comments, feedback, and edits of the draft Literature Review. Using the findings of the Literature Review, the specialist will advise on a set of values and guiding principles to underpin the ECPES to promote school readiness, the developmental domains that should be included in ECPES, appropriate practices for children transitioning to primary, and developmentally appropriate expected learning outcomes to promote school readiness
• Develop a draft structure of the ECPES with other members of the Writing Group, based on evidence, best practice, and in line with Governmental requirements. The specialist will then incorporate feedback and comments by revising the structure of the ECPES with other members of the Writing Group.
• Draft the content of the ECPES, with an emphasis on providing inputs on school readiness
• Provide inputs on ECPES field testing tools and guiding notes for school readiness
• Create and maintain a feedback log, a systematized format capturing all received comments and suggestions relating to school readiness
• Work closely with UNICEF, MoES, the Standards Alignment Team, and the Validation Group to make revisions to the ECPES and submit a finalized version

The assignment involves frequent online engagements, desk-based work and in-person interactions.  Stakeholder meetings may be online or in-person. In-person visits to early learning settings may be required. Pre-school practitioners or academicians could potentially balance this assignment with their regular duties, given strong organizational skills, clear communication, and employer support.

This assignment is delivered in a team, necessitating active participation, mutual support, and individual accountability. Each member is responsible for specific deliverables within their technical area, and their individual success directly impacts the team’s overall success. Timely, high-quality contributions are expected from all members.

Candidates who do not meet all criteria, but do want to get involved in the process, are encouraged to apply.

Representatives of ethnic minorities with relevant qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply.

Candidates with experience of working within the Special Needs Education system are encouraged to apply.

Please provide an all-inclusive financial proposal including travels to carry out the deliverables listed above.