National Preschool Education Consultant for developing early childhood education curriculum for children ages 2 to 5

National Preschool Education Consultant for developing early childhood education curriculum for children ages 2 to 5

 Background

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Georgia represents a decentralized system with municipalities in charge of provision of public ECEC services free of charge for children 2-6 years of age. In response to a number of system level challenges in ECEC, the Parliament of Georgia adopted the first ever Law on Early and Preschool Education and Care (EPEC) in June of 2016. The EPEC law was developed in 2014-2016 with UNICEF's technical support and active participation of multiple stakeholders: the Parliament of Georgia, line ministries - Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Protection, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure; municipal kindergarten management agencies, NGOs and academia. The law includes major innovations targeted to improving quality, access and equity in ECEC throughout Georgia. The EPEC law introduces mandatory national standards and standard-based authorisation system of all public and private preschool institutions. 

UNICEF is committed to support the Government of Georgia with the implementation of the EPEC law. In 2016 UNICEF has provided technical assistance to the line ministries in development of following national standards and regulations in line with national requirements and evidence-based best international practices/standards:

1. Early and Preschool Education National Standards;
2. Professional standards for early and preschool caregiver-pedagogues;
3. Early and Preschool Infrastructure and Physical Environment Standards;
4. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Technical Regulations;
5. Nutrition Standards;
6. Preschool authorization regulation;
7. Public Preschool Control/monitoring standards;
8. Preschool Data Registry and list of data and indicators.

According to the EPEC Law the above developed national standards and technical regulations will be adopted by April, 2017. 

The law has introduced School Readiness Programme for 5 year old children as a mandatory component of Preschool Education (ages 2 to 6). School Readiness Programme curriculum was developed by MoES with UNICEF's technical assistance in 2014-2015. In the efforts to provide the technical assistance to the MoES in developing early childhood education curriculum for ages 2 to 5, UNICEF is searching for two qualified national consultants for the service as below explained. 

• Overall goal of consultancyOverall goal of consultancy is to support MoES in:

• Development of Early childhood education (ECE) curriculum for children age 2 to 5 based on new national educational standards ensuring continuity with school readiness programme curriculum. The national consultant will work closely with the task leader and two other national consultants on the above tasks. The consultant will work closely with MoES, state universities, professional organizations, municipalities, preschools and other stakeholders. The consultant will be obliged to meet the set deadlines as a part-time consultant as described in the below Chapter 3 (Specific tasks, timeframe and deliverables) and produce deliverables in a high quality manner. UNICEF will measure consultant's performance and quality of deliverables in accordance with UNICEF's regulations.

• Specific tasks, timeframe and deliverables

Activity/Task 1. In close collaboration with the team of national consultants develop a draft concept paper and outline of curriculum for children ages 2 to 5 based on new national educational standards (ensuring consistency with the school readiness curriculum);   Timeframe: Month one

            Deliverable: Draft concept paper and outline of curriculum for ages 2 to 5;

Activity/Task 2. Conduct two focus groups with stakeholders (MoES, universities, preschools, professional organizations, municipalities) to receive feedback on draft concept paper and outline of curriculum; finalize concept paper and the outline.

            Timeframe: Month one

            Deliverable: Report on at least two focus groups[1] conducted with stakeholders; finalized concept paper and outline of curriculum based on received feedback.

Activity/Task 3. Under the guidance of task leader (national ECE consultant) and in close collaboration with team of national consultants contribute to developing first draft of the curriculum (respective chapters as designated by the task leader).

            Timeframe: Months two and three.

            Deliverable: First full draft of the curriculum chapters (as designated by the task leader).

Activity/Task 4. Conduct two focus groups[2] with stakeholders (MoES, universities, preschools, professional organizations, municipalities) to receive feedback on the first draft of the curriculum; circulate e-version of draft curriculum among stakeholders to receive written feedback.

            Timeframe: Month four

            Deliverable: Report on at least two focus groups conducted with stakeholders; written feedback received from task leader and stakeholders.

Activity/Task 5. Review and provide written feedback and comments to curriculum parts/chapters developed by other national consultants.

            Timeframe: Month four.

            Deliverable: Written feedback on curriculum parts/chapters developed by other national consultants.

Activity/Task 6. Revise the first draft of curriculum sections (respective chapters as designated by the task leader) based on received feedback.

            Timeframe: Month five

            Deliverable: Revised second draft of curriculum (respective chapters as designated by the task leader).

Activity/Task 7. Finalize curriculum sections (respective chapters as designated by the task leader) in coordination with other consultants, task leader and MoES.

            Timeframe: Month six

            Deliverable: Finalized curriculum (respective chapters as designated by the task leader).

 Duration and mode of consultancy. The consultancy service is required for the duration of six (6) months starting as of June, 2017.

• Supervision 

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Deputy Representative. Day-to-day supervision and guidance will be provided by UNICEF's Education Officer. 

• Required qualification 
• Advanced degree in Psychology or Education.
• Good knowledge of existing laws, regulations and standards in the field of preschool education in Georgia.
• Good knowledge of School Readiness Programme curriculum (MoES 2015).
• At least two years of professional work experience in the field of early childhood/preschool education.
• Successfully proven experience of developing curriculum, preferably in early childhood/preschool education.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex relationships with a wide range of partners.
• Demonstrated ability to review relevant international literature in English and/or other languages.
• Fluency in written and spoken Georgian. 
• Competencies for the post:
• Working with People; Communication; Analysing, Writing and Reporting and Drive for Results. 

  Payment terms and rates

 Consultancy fees will be disbursed to the national consultant on a monthly basis upon delivery of respective deliverables as specified in Chapter 3 above (Subject to agreement with consultant in accordance to UNICEF rules and regulations)

NOTE: Applicant should include the requested monthly fee (Gross including 20% of income tax) in Georgian Lari in his/her application letter to UNICEF.

 Contract arrangement and duration:

 This is a part-time consultancy service for the duration of six months.

 Leave

• The consultant has no entitlement for annual leave, sick leave, maternity, adoption or paternity leave or any other kinds of special leave.
• Health Insurance: UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage for consultants. Health Statement forms must be submitted to UNICEF prior to signing the contract.

• Termination of the Contract

 The contract may be terminated by either party before its expiry date by giving a 14 days' notice in writing to the other party. However, in the event of termination on the ground of misconduct, UNICEF will be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. In such case, the Contractor will be compensated on a pro-rata basis for no more than the actual amount of work completed to the satisfaction of UNICEF.

[1] The team of consultants may conduct more than two focus groups if deemed necessary.

[2] The team of consultants may conduct more than two focus groups if deemed necessary.