Cost and Financing of Early Childhood Care and Education in Kiribati

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. UNICEF Pacific is seeking to engage a motivated individual to develop at least four costing and financing scenarios for the Government of Kiribati to achieve its ECCE goals as outlined in the education sector strategic plan (2016-2019).

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment

The Government of Kiribati is committed to its youngest citizens and would like to explore various costing and financing options/scenarios in order to be able to make a firm commitment to ECCE that is based on evidence and reality and context of Kiribati. Different scenarios will be explored to identify the best option for supporting ECCE in Kiribati and provide the ministry with evidence to make an informed decision about how it wants to support ECCE as part and parcel of its national education system.

Assignment Task

1. Map the existing provision and coverage of early childhood services in Kiribati and current cost: government programmes (if any), community and private sector and average cost of these services (how much does it cost on average to run an ECCE centre with 30 children aged 3-5 in South Tarawa and outer islands, inclusive of all costs: infrastructure, rent, maintenance, materials, teachers, etc.). Prepare an analysis of findings.
2. Develop costing and financing options of the following scenarios:

Scenario 1

1a. Increase number of ECCE centres for 3-5 year olds by 20 percent fully funded by the government including infrastructure cost and teachers salaries. 

1b. Also calculate by cost sharing with communities 50% covered by the government and 50% by community. This should include contribution from the island councils and how through their budgetary provision they can support ECCE centres. Make sure costs covered by each is clear for example, under government it would be teachers' salary and under community would be resources for the ECCE centre, etc.

Scenario 2

Provision of 2 months accelerated school readiness programme for only 5 year olds during summer holidays using existing schools and using retired or current teachers. This cost should also factor development of new curriculum, and training teachers on how to use the materials, plus two-month salary cost and other materials for the teaching and learning processes. Need to use population data for calculating number of 5 year olds in the country and each island (if not possible estimated number)

Scenario 3

Provision of one year universal pre-primary education for 5 year olds using existing ECCE centres that have additional class, but also factor in construction of one classroom for average 30 five-year olds. Costing should be based on full coverage of costs and also option of partial cost sharing with the parents and communities.

Scenario 4 

Provision of grants to "registered" ECCE centres serving 3 to 5 year olds to reduce cost burden on families. What % of MoE budget can go in funding this option? What percentage of Island Council budget can go for this? Please make sure you consult with the island councils in Tarawa.

• Each scenario has to be costed with financing options explored. Financing should be realistic with all options explored such as the private sector for financing.
• Prepare draft power point presentation to the ministry of education to share findings to date. The presentation will need to be finalised once the report is finalized.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• A mapping and costing of selected existing ECCE services and an analysis of current cost of existing services
• A draft report, in soft copies, consisting of an analysis of the mapping of ECCE services and different scenarios for the expansion and improvement of these services with estimated costs and financing options and recommendations in regard to the proposed options.
• A preliminary presentation and feedback meeting with key stakeholders (government and NGOS)
• A final report with comments of stakeholders incorporated submitted to UNICEF. All products should be in a soft-copy/electronic format. 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• Advance university degree in Economics/ public financing systems

Years of relevant experience

• Extensive expertise in carrying out financial feasibility studies especially in the field of education/early childhood education;
• Proven experience in costing exercises
• Minimum of six years' experience in a relevant field
• Strong report writing and analytical skills;
• Teamwork abilities;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the work place;
• Previous working experience with UNICEF education programmes will be an asset. \
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English required, familiarity with local language (Kiribati) an asset
• Competencies: Good analytical, negotiating, and advocacy skills;

 To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Interested candidates must complete the following documents to be considered

1. Cover letter describing how you meet the requirements for this position
2. Completion Expression of interest form attached

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

If you are unable to retrieve the Terms of Reference or Expression of Interest Form - please forward an email to pacificvacancies@unicef.org for further assistance.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.