DEVELOPMENT OF A CCD TECHNICAL SEMINAR

The purpose of the consultancy is to prepare a CCD technical seminar (session), rollout guide and material for mainstreaming of prevention and response in Care for child development (CCD).

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) calls upon States to protect all children against all forms of violence and abuse, without any form of discrimination. While States in this region have made progress in creating a protective environment for children throughout their national territory, existing research, reports and studies indicate that young children are more vulnerable to violence within the home than older children.   Children with disabilities are also more vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Indeed, young children are often more likely to be victimized by primary caregivers and other family members because of their dependence on adult caregivers and limited independent, social interactions outside the home. Two out of three children under five years of age regularly experience violent discipline at home (emotional aggression or corporal punishment) in Latin America and the Caribbean Region; and one out of two children under five years old is subjected to corporal punishment.

Extensive research on infant and childhood shows that nurturing, stimulating interaction between young children and their parents and caregivers positively strengthens the possibility of young children to develop to their full potential. Safety is a pre-requisite for early childhood development, while toxic stress and exposure to violence, abuse and neglect during early childhood can have a lifelong impact on the child due to rupture or hindrance of the brain development process, due to the limiting proliferation of brain cells.  This can also lead to damaging health, reduced learning and increase in negative behavior.

The WHO-UNICEF ‘Care for Child Development’ (CCD) is an evidence-based framework designed to promote early child development and learning, along with responsive caregiving domains of nurturing care and through integration in existing health, ECD, early education and social services.  Based on proven experiences, the effective integration of the CCD package in health, ECD, early education and family-based social services will result in a beneficial impact on children’s early development and support family and caregiver involvement for promoting good health and development.  In the region, priority is given to the most vulnerable children and families, including young children with significant delays and/or a disability.

The CCD has already been implemented in at least 49 countries with different adaptations demonstrating wide acceptance and adaptability in resource poor communities around the world. Providers of a variety of child and family support services use the CCD framework to support child development and more effective, responsive caregiving. They work in child survival, nutrition, mental health, child care and early education, and violence and injury prevention, in both facility-based and home-visit programmes. Many partners who work with young children and families have navigated the integration of CCD into health and child protection systems.

UNICEF LACRO and PAHO/WHO have been collaborating since 2012 to modify and adapt the Care for Child Development to the context of the Latin American and Caribbean region.  Increased emphasis is placed on reaching the most vulnerable children and families. Therefore, the technical seminar on CCD, ECD and violence prevention will support the mainstreaming of the Regional Initiative on the elimination of violence against young children as part of LAC ECD, Zika response, and Child Protection actions, as well as the strengthening of the Care for Child Development approach in the existing programs for children age 0-3 and their families.

UNICEF LACRO Office under the leadership of the ECD and Child Protection sections has prepared a comprehensive, multi-sectorial framework that aims to provide guidance to UNICEF country offices on how to improve programme interventions and synergies between programme areas to enhance young children’s development potential by reducing their exposure to violence. The Technical seminar, and rollout guide with recommendations and operational resources for Mainstreaming the violence prevention for protecting young children and Care for child development for application on a country level process, should be in line with to the UNICEF LACRO Initiative on Preventing Violence Against Young Children. 

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is to prepare a CCD technical seminar (session), rollout guide and material for mainstreaming of prevention and response in Care for child development (CCD).

Expected Results (measurable results):

The Consultant will: 

• Consult with senior CCD, child protection and ECD experts and focal points on the contents of the technical seminar and the design and accuracy of the training content, strategy, and process (for the required adjustments and final preparation).
• Prepare a technical CCD seminar (session) on prevention and response to violence;

• Prepare a rollout guide and technical content for mainstreaming prevention and response to violence in CCD technical material.

Deliverables:

*This whole process should be in line with to the UNICEF LACRO Initiative on Preventing Violence Against Young Children. 

Key Qualifications, Technical Background, and Experience Required:

• Advanced University degree in early childhood development, education, social sciences, international development or a related field;
• Eight years of professional work experience at the national and international levels in policy planning in a related field;
• Current expert knowledge of child protection, particularly on protection risks affecting young children;
• Professional technical knowledge/expertise in Early Childhood Development and Care for Child Development approach;
• Knowledge and experience of strategies of implementing ECD or Child Protection Programmes;
• Fluency in Spanish and English, including excellent writing skills in both languages (considered to be an important asset).

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Individual Contractor's Workplace:

The consultancy will take place over a period of one month. The consultant will work from home, in regular communication with the supervisors through telephone and e-mail and other means.

Fees:

Applicants are requested to submit an economic proposal based on the deliverables mentioned above. 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.

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.