National Consultancy – Conduct Assessment of the implementation of the ECE interventions in the ESP 2022-2026, Freetown Sierra Leone. 3 months (For Sierra Leone nationals only)

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, dedication.

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose and Objective:

The purpose of this consultancy is to assess the implementation of the ECE interventions of the ESP by using the ECE accelerator tool on implementation considerations”. The consultant will work in close collaboration with UNICEF Sierra Leone Education, and relevant national stakeholders (the MBSSE, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), the Ministry of Finance, the ECE technical working group, and other organizations as needed) to achieve the below mentioned objectives. 

The objectives of this assignment are to:

1. Conduct an in-depth analysis of the implementation of the ECE interventions in the ESP, using the ECE accelerator tool on ‘implementation considerations”. 
2. Document achievements, challenges, and lessons learned during the implementation process through discussions and consultations with stakeholders, including at sub-national levels, on the status of the implementation of ECE interventions as per ESP.
3. Contribute to the development and production of a policy brief on ECE implementation in ESP.

Methodology and technical approach:

Through remote and face-to-face consultations with UNICEF staff, relevant education partners and champions, including government, and district stakeholders, the consultant will deliver the tasks listed below.

Specific tasks:

• Develop an inception report detailing an understanding of the ToR, methodology to be employed, and resource needs with a detailed work plan.
• Conduct desk review of the ESP 2022-2026, ESP implementation reports, Joint Review Mission (JRM) reports, the ECE accelerator tool on implementation considerations, and other relevant documents.
• Undertaking interviews with relevant UNICEF staff and relevant stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of the ESP.
• Conduct and facilitate consultation meetings with partners to co-develop the policy brief on ECE implementation in ESP.
• Present the assessment report and policy brief on ECE implementation in ESP to relevant stakeholders– workshop/meeting.
• Submit final products (assessment report and policy brief) and final report of the consultancy.

Please see attached ToR for detailed information.  TOR_KIX Assessment of ECE Implementation in ESP.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in monitoring and evaluation, educational planning, education, or related social sciences fields.
• Minimum of five years of progressively advanced experience in Education planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of education programmes.
• Experience in developing and evaluating education sector plans.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the work of UNICEF and/or international development, humanitarian, and child rights issues.
• Excellent knowledge of English is required – strong communication skills (written and oral) in English are a necessity.
• Proven ability to think critically and seek out, synthesize, and interpret information.
• Concrete experience of fostering open dialogue, building trust, and engaging key stakeholders.
• Expertise in using MS Office software and carrying out project assessments.
• Fluency in English is required. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Remarks:  

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

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.