International Consultant - Support to Development of Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS)

International Consultant - Support to Development of Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS)

To develop the Early Learning Development Standards in support of Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and capacitate MoE in policy development.

Phase 1: Inception Phase – Remote Working (5 days)

1. 1. Provide detailed inception report outlining timelines; methodologies and support needed to develop Early Learning Development Standards as well as developing a methodological guideline for policy making for MoE.

Phase 2: Consolidate Background Documents/Prepare for and facilitate a workshop on ELDS, draft and develop a methodological guideline for policy-making, and capacitate the policy unit of MoE (65 working days)

In-Country support to lead, prepare and facilitate one inception workshop on ELDS development with key stakeholders. The workshop will mainly focus on the content of the standards (country values, ages of children, domains standards and indicators).

1. 1. With the support of the ECD Working Group, relevant MoE departments (e.g., Curriculum) and other line ministries (e.g., MOLSAMD): Undertake a review of best practices of ELDS from other countries and outline key recommendations for Afghanistan
   2. Lead, prepare and facilitate workshop/event on Afghanistan’s ELDS
   3. Draft the ELDS based on extensive partner consultations (relevant line ministries and stakeholders)
   4. Propose a mechanism for validation process of the content of the ELDS
   5. Develop a methodological guideline for policy making in MoE
   6. Capacitate policy unit of MoE in policy making.
   7. Contribute to the process of inclusion of key Early Learning Development Standards in  National Education Policy

Phase 3 – Remote Support (15 days)

The third phase will be remote support in order to provide quality assurance in finalizing the ELDS.

1. 1. Provide online support to the ECD Working Group on finalizing the draft ELDS documents and drafting a roadmap for the way forward in validating and utilizing the standards.
   2. Finalize the methodological guideline for policy making

Deliverables/Outputs:

Phase One:

1. Develop a concept note on ELDS development process including timeline and key milestones (remote + in-country)
2. Develop a structure for the methodological guideline for policy-making for MoE

Timeframe: 5 days

Payment Schedule: 10% upon submission of Inception Report, Literature Review and Workshop Agenda linked to deliverable # 1

Deliverables/Outputs:

Phase Two:

1. Undertake a literature review on ELDS development process and the content of ELDS including good practices, lessons learnt. In addition, review available policy guidelines, strategies, curriculum and relevant documents on ECD/ECE in Afghanistan.
2. Present the findings to the ECD working group
3. Orient the working group on ELDS and agree on country values, the core principles, age range to be addressed, the main domains of ELDS and the objectives of ELDS in Afghanistan. , These will be presented to the ELDS Steering Committee and endorsed before proceeding further
4. Prepare the first draft of methodological guideline for policy making
5. Capacitate MoE in policy making
6. Contribute to the overall National Education Policy development
7. Facilitate and lead two in-country workshops,  one for field level government and UNICEF staff, and one for central level government including relevant line ministries, and partners to develop the Afghanistan ELDS that includes the standards, indicators and suggested activities for the agreed domains
8. Draft the ELDS
9. Present the draft ELDS to the Task team to ensure that the content meets the needs and agreed values and domains. Key questions that need to be answered through this review process could include the following but need not necessarily be limited to these:

• Does the content include all the agreed values, domains and everything that it should?
• Are the standards inclusive of ALL children in Afghanistan?
• Do the expectations in the standards seem appropriate across various communities and types of programs within the country?
• Is the wording clear and easy to understand and use?

1. Revise the draft ELDS based on feedback from stakeholders
2. Write the second draft report ELDS

Timeframe: 65 days

Payment Schedule: 60% upon submission of Final Workshop Report and Action Plan for ELDS development linked to deliverable # 2

Phase Three:

1. Provide quality assurance to draft ELDS  Include review in terms of analysis, policy framework, and recommendations on next steps
2. Finalize the methodological guideline of policy-making for MoE.

Timeframe: 15 days

Payment Schedule: 30% upon submission of Final Report linked to deliverable #3

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in education policy development at the international level, some of which preferably in either  developing or emergency countries is required;
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and mandate as well as approach to ECCD;
• Experience supporting and working in close collaboration with diverse national teams, especially government partners;
• Experience working in the UN system agency or organization is an asset. Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.

Skills:

• Proven skills in developing guidelines, strategies, operational results-oriented action plans for different stakeholders – policy-makers, ECCD specialists, frontline workers and practitioners, teachers and methodologists, families and young children;
• Excellent training and workshop facilitation skills.

 Language Requirement:

Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset