International ECD consultant/ ECD Specialist (P3)

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.  And we never give up.

For every child, Development

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

Background

Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a strategic priority for UNICEF PNG, recognizing the critical importance of investing in children’s earliest years to ensure optimal cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. ECD services in PNG are delivered across multiple sectors, including health, nutrition, education, child protection, and social protection. In line with national priorities, UNICEF is working to strengthen and scale up cross-sectoral ECD programming, build coordination mechanisms, generate evidence, and mobilize partnerships.

To support these efforts, UNICEF PNG seeks a consultant with strong technical expertise and strategic leadership in integrated ECD programming to provide technical and coordination support, foster partnerships, and strengthen systems for sustainable ECD outcomes.

 Justification

Under the general oversight of the Deputy Representative, Programmes and the direct supervision of the Chief of Health and Nutrition (Level 5), the ECD Specialist supports the coordinated development, planning, implementation, monitoring and documentation of ECD programmes/projects within the Country Programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support across Sections to facilitate the administration and achievement of results on ECD related programmes/projects. S/he assists in coordination and cross-sectoral work around the ECD thematic focus which links with Nutrition, Health, WASH, Education, Child Protection, Social Policy, Communication and Advocacy and Social Behavioral Change programmes.

The Specialist works closely with ECD Core Group (Education, Child protection, Health and Nutrition, SBC, Communication, WASH) sections and contributes to the achievement of convergent and sustainable results on ECD related programmes/projects according to plans, allocation and results based-management approaches and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks – 11 months

1. Strategic Planning and Programme Design

• Support the integration of ECD across relevant programme components by participating in Country Office work planning, review, monitoring and development.
• Contribute to the formulation and design of cross-sectoral evidence informed ECD interventions that align with national policies, the UN Cooperation Development Framework (UNCDF), and UNICEF PNG’s strategic plan.
• Support the design, development and coordination of UNICEF PNG’s ECD programme strategy and action plan.
• Ensure ECD integration in sector-specific programme plans and results frameworks, with a focus on equity, inclusivity, and early intervention.
• Coordinate with the Regional Office on cross-cutting regional priorities related to ECD.

2. Internal and External Coordination

• Strengthen internal coordination by supporting cross-sectoral ECD collaboration (design, development, monitoring and reporting) within the Country Office across Health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Social Beh Change and Social Policy teams.
• Facilitate external coordination mechanisms with government, UN agencies, faith-based organizations, CSOs, and academia to promote integrated ECD approaches.
• Plan and facilitate ECD coordination meetings, joint reviews, and technical working groups at national and sub-national levels (priority provinces).
• Represent UNICEF PNG in inter-agency forums and ensure ECD priorities are embedded in UNCDF planning, humanitarian preparedness, and sectoral policy platforms.

3. Technical and Operational Support for Programme Implementation

• Provide strategic and technical guidance to government counterparts, UNICEF national and Mt. Hagen Office, and implementing partners on integrated ECD approaches, policies, and standards.
• Ensure coherence, harmonization, and quality assurance in programme implementation through tools, guidance, and regular technical backstopping.
• Actively monitor implementation of ECD programmes through joint field visits, partner engagements, and data reviews; identify and address bottlenecks with relevant stakeholders.
• Draft technical documents including policy briefs, guidance notes, and strategic updates for internal and external use.
• Promote the use of innovative and context-specific approaches to enhance the effectiveness and reach of ECD programming.

4. Evidence Generation, Knowledge Management, and Reporting

• Contribute to the preparation, design, and updating of situation analyses and assessments to generate evidence on child development outcomes and service gaps.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to define and apply monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and UN system-level indicators for ECD.
• Initiate and support documentation of promising models in ECD, lessons learned and case studies from within UNICEF and partner organizations.
• Document Social and Behavior Change (SBC) area of work within the country office, what’s being done, alignment across sectors, lessons learnt and how to address challenges and constraints.
• Lead UNICEF’s PNG’s knowledge management on ECD by institutionalizing good practices, investment briefs, facilitating cross-learning, and supporting dissemination.
• Keep abreast of global and regional research and translate emerging evidence into actionable programme recommendations.
• Draft donor reports, internal programme updates, and strategic advocacy products on ECD progress and results.

5. Partnership Building and Advocacy

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key government ministries, UN agencies, CSOs, faith-based organizations, donors, and academic institutions to advance the national ECD agenda.
• Facilitate and coordinate national-level coalitions and multi-stakeholder platforms to enhance collective ownership and alignment around ECD priorities.
• Support joint advocacy and communication efforts with partners to raise the visibility of ECD and mobilize support for integrated approaches.
• Contribute to high-level representation and policy dialogues that influence budget allocations and policy reform in favour of ECD.
• Contribute to the advocacy and fund raising for a National Nutrition Survey (NNS) in collaboration with relevant program and management.

6. Resource Mobilization

• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality concept notes, funding proposals, donor presentations, and strategic investment cases to mobilize resources for ECD.
• Collaborate with programme sections and partnership teams to align funding opportunities with programme needs and donor priorities.

7. Capacity Development

• Design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives for government counterparts, implementing partners, and UNICEF staff on ECD policy, programming, and monitoring.
• Identify capacity gaps and develop tailored learning resources to support implementation of integrated ECD services.
• Support efforts to strengthen institutional systems and partner capacities to plan, deliver, and sustain quality ECD programming at scale.

Supervision and Reporting

The consultant will report to the Nutrition Manager and work closely with the ECD focal points in relevant sector leads (Health, Education, Child Protection, Nutrition, SBC and Social Policy). Regular coordination meetings will be held to review progress and adapt activities.

As a champion for every child, qualifications are… 

Education

An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: child development, education, nutrition, public health, public administration, economics, psychology, sociology, human development, child development, family studies or another relevant technical field.

Work experience

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management of ECD programmes within health, nutrition, early learning and early childhood development related areas is required.
• Familiarity with global and national evidence and policies frameworks related to ECD.
• Strong technical knowledge of integrated ECD approaches and international standards.
• Proven experience in policy engagement, inter-agency coordination, and partnership building.
• Experience in developing strategies, training packages, and evidence-based programming tools.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills.
• Experience in a developing country and a difficult context is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Technical Knowledge

• Well-versed with maternal infant and young child nutrition, development and early learning interventions.
• Familiarity with global and national evidence and policies frameworks related to ECD.

 For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability. 

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (Application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

 

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