National Consultant to support Interagency Coordination Council of the Legal Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia on the implementation of Law on Early and Preschool Education and Care

Parliament of Georgia on the implementation of Law on Early and Preschool Education and Care

1. 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 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 national standards and technical regulations. In 2017 UNICEF provided technical assistance to Tbilisi City Assembly and other interested municipalities in developing five local by-laws as envisioned by the EPEC law. Additionally throughout 2017-2018 UNICEF will continues to support central and local government in capacity building of involved stakeholders to ensure better preparedness for implementation of the law and national standards.

In 2017 the Legal Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia established Preschool Education Interagency Coordination Council (hereafter- Coordination Council) on the implementation of EPEC Law to oversee and monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the law until 2020. The Coordination Council is formed by major stakeholders representing central and local government agencies. UNICEF is the member of the Coordination Council providing technical support. Work and responsibilities of the Coordination Council is guided by the Preschool Education Coordination Council Action Plan (CCAP) developed by the Parliament Legal Issues Committee for the implementation in 2017 – 2020.

In the efforts to provide technical assistance to the above Coordination Council, UNICEF is selecting   a qualified national consultant for a full-time service of 11 months as below explained. 

1. OVERALL GOAL OF CONSULTANCY AND SPECIFIC TASKS

    

   Overall goal of this full-time consultancy is to support the Legal Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia in the management and coordination of Council to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the EPEC law and relevant by-laws by responsible agencies at national and local government level.  

    

   Specific tasks throughout consultancy include:

• In coordination with the Legal Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia and UNICEF, be responsible for thorough monitoring, coordination and delivery of all activities as agreed  upon  in the Preschool Education Coordination Council Action Plan (CCAP) 2017-2020;
• Make sure that all involved stakeholders/agencies of the Coordination Council are well aware about the action plan and actively participate in its implementation;
• Plan and support the Coordination Council in holding regular communication, networking and coordination at daily, weekly and monthly bases – as needed and required, with all involved stakeholders/agencies at central and municipal levels responsible for the implementation of EPEC law;
• Measure progress and effectiveness of the implementation of the law and by-laws by involved stakeholders/agencies at central and municipal level;
• Provide Parliament and UNICEF with early warnings on identified challenges and constraints related to the implementation of law, and offer strategic solutions for immediate actions; 
• Develop and present monthly briefs and quarterly reports on the status of implementation of the law based on “EPEC Law implementation Strategy 2018-2020, Action Plan and Monitoring Tool”.

• Hold technical discussions and provide guidance to municipalities on implementation of national standards and technical regulations, including authorization standards and other by-laws;

   

  The national consultant will be based in the Parliament of Georgia and under the Chair of the Legal Issues Committee, work closely with the interagency Coordination Council represented by the members of the Government Administration, MoES[1], MoLHSA[2], MoESD[3], municipalities and other stakeholders.

   

  The consultant will be obliged to meet mutually agreed set deadlines as a full-time consultant in compliance with the CCAP 2017-2020. The consultant will produce and provide UNICEF with detailed monthly reports about completed and planned tasks in line with the:

1. CCAP 2017-2020,
2. EPEC Law implementation Strategy 2018-2020,

3. Action Plan and Monitoring Tool.

    

   UNICEF will measure and evaluate consultant’s performance and quality of deliverables in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and regulations.

    

1. DURATION AND MODE OF CONSULTANCY

• The full-time consultancy service is required for the duration of eleven (11) months starting as of December, 2017.

• The service is based in Tbilisi with possible required travels to municipalities. Travel related costs will be negotiated between UNICEF and a consultant; and fully covered by UNICEF.

   

1. SUPERVISION

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNICEF’s Education Officer and the Chair of Coordination Council. Day-to-day supervision and guidance will be provided by UNICEF Education/Early Child Education Officer.

1. REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

• Advanced degree in Social sciences; 
• At least two years of proven managerial work experience at or with central and local government;
• At least two years of professional experience in programme networking and communication with wide scope of stakeholders;
• Good knowledge of existing laws, regulations and national standards including in the field of early and preschool education in Georgia;
• At least one year of professional work experience in the field of education;
• Proven experience in programme analyses and monitoring;
• Strong planning, facilitation and training skills;
• Excellent presentation and reporting skills;

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex relationships with a wide range of partners;

• Fluency in written and spoken Georgian and English.

   

   

  Competencies required:

• Working with People; Communication; Analysing, Writing and Reporting and Drive for Results.
• Setting priorities and working under the pressure;
• Excellent team working skills.

1. PAYMENT TERMS AND RATES

Consultancy fees will be disbursed to the national consultant on a monthly basis upon presenting respective monthly report (Subject to agreement with consultant in accordance to UNICEF rules and regulations).

1. CONTRACT ARRANGEMENT AND DURATION:

• This is a full-time consultancy service for the duration of eleven months.
• Duty station: Tbilisi (based in Parliament) and occasional travel to the regions.
• Travel: Travel will be arranged by UNICEF as necessary.

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.

   

1. 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.