By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

National Consultant: Support planning and coordination of the International Conference on Early Childhood Development (ECD), to be held in February 2020

Pristina

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Pristina
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Conference Services
    • Monitoring and Evaluation
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Early Childhood Development
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Local Consultant

National Consultant: Support planning and coordination of the International Conference on Early Childhood Development (ECD), to be held in February 2020

  1. Background

The importance of early childhood development has been recognized globally. Studies show that positive early years experiences lead to improved of health and learning and result in better economic and social outcomes throughout a person’s life cycle. With such potential to make positive differences in the early years, it is imperative that Kosovo takes a coordinated and thoughtful approach to the services and programmes that government-enforced laws and policies will provide.

In Kosovo, the pre-school education system - early childhood education is regulated by Law no. 02/ L-52 on preschool education and is also affected by other legal and sub-legal acts. But over time, all efforts are considered to have been limited in both the inclusive aspect and in terms of quality assurance of pre-school education services. This is best evidenced by the challenges with which pre-school education face in Kosovo, including: inadequate distribution of pre-school institutions in the country; only 14% of children throughout Kosovo attend early childhood education (MICS 2014); small number of public pre-school institutions; lack of appropriate infrastructure for children’s age; lack of didactic materials and consumables needed for organization of activities that enable learning through play, etc.

To tackle the above mentioned issues on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Kosovo and bring the topic higher in the political agenda, UNICEF Office in Kosovo, in partnership with Prim Minsters Office and Ministry of Edcuation, Science and Technology intends to host a high level international conference on the improtance of Early Childood Development- the Best Start to Life, on February 2020.

The conference will provide a forum (1) to promote the importance of investing in early childhood development and early childhood education in Kosovo, considered as fundation for increasing equal opportunities and socio- economic progress for everyone and one of the best policy choices for accelerating sustainable development in Kosovo; (2) will support the framing of ECD within the context of Kosovo; (3) will provide opportunities to discuss the governance mechanisms of ECD services and roles of different goverment sectors, including public and private partnership, social enterprise and other modalities of ECD services tailored to the needs of young children and their families with specific focus on most vulnerable.

To support for the preparation and organization of the international conference, UNICEF is looking for a qualified national consultant for the position of conference coordinator.

  1. Purpose of the Consultancy

The overall objective of this assignment is to support UNICEF Kosovo Office in the preparation and organization of the International Conference on Early Childhood Development. The consultant will be expected to act as primary focal point for all internal and external stakeholders related to the conference.

  1. Scope of work and specific tasks

The consultant is expected to work out an appropriate approach and formulate plans for this event in consultation with UNICEF Kosovo team, and to ensure implementation of these plans effectively to deliver an impact event. The Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordination:

  1. Ensure appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both inside and outside the UNICEF, for purposes of planning and organizing of the conference.
  2. Pre- Conference Preparatory Work, including regular status reports and liaison associated with the programme and delivery of successful conference.
  3. Work closely with Technical Level Committee (World Bank, EU, MEST, MLSW, MoH, OGG), Faculty of Education, UNICEF Health and Nutrition and Communication team to draft the conference Agenda and to ensure key messages on the expectations and outputs of the conference for internal and external audiences.
  4. Serve as the primary focal point for event preparations. Liaise with international participants on sharing information on necessary administrative procedures for attending the conference. Particularly, ensure all keynote speakers have good guidance on what they are expected to talk about to make sure that the sessions are substantive and coherent.
  5. Develop a brochure containing the preliminary program and then the detailed programme within the agreed timelines.
  6. Lead the process of identification and selection of participants, inducing keynote speakers,  and handling registration of all participants and payments of the conference delegates. Support in the invitation processes, including tracking of responses and follow-up confirmations.
  7. Coordinate with communications team to ensure that all supporting documents including save the dates, invitations, background paper, event outlines and agendas, booklets, press releases and webpage content are ready for distribution on time.
  8. Liaise with Kosovo institutions and other conference partners to ensure their participation and commitment to the conference main events and side events.
  9. Liaise with Embassy of USA, Embassy of French, Embassy of Austria, Embassy of Italy, British Embassy, USAID, UN agencies, SIDA, ADA and other international organization (GIZ, Save the Children, SDC) and experts related to inputs and their participation to the conference.
  10. Prepare the final report on the conference, including achievements and proposed follow-up.

Logistics and execution

  1. Support programme staff where necessary in liaising with the Kosovo institutions and other relevant UN agenicies to address protocol, logistical, security and other requirements for the event.
  2. Support programme staff where necessary in liaising with a designated Event Management company to ensure the organization of a successful conference while maintaining the multi- stakeholder nature of the process.
  3. Support UNICEF programme and procurement team where necessary in handling logistics around booking venues and working with vendors.
  4. Maintain and update information on shared drives and other internal and external means of communications.
  5. Facilitate the conference and perform other duties as required.
  1. Duration of assignment and duty station

IV. Duration of Assignment: The tentative contractual period is from 1st of November 2019 to 31st of  March 2020. The tentative date for the conference is 25th and 26th of February 2020.

Duty station: Prishtina, Kosovo

V. Contract supervision

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Health and Nutrition Officer and ultimately report to UNICEF Deputy Head of Office and the UNICEF Head of Office.

VI. Contract of work, deliverables and schedule of payment

Deliverables and schedule of payment is as shown below:

Deliverables

Tentative deadlines

  1. Background paper, event outlines and agendas, admin/logistics note and booklet of the conference produced.
  2. Finalized checklist for organization of the conference.

15 November 2019

  1. List of participants, guest speakers confirmed.
  2. Papers and presentations from speakers collected.

30 January 2020

  1. The conference organized.
  2. The final report on the conference, including achievements and proposed follow-up delivered.

31st of March 2020

VII. Degree of expertise and qualifications

Candidates who meet the following criteria should apply.

  • Advanced degree in in one of the following fields: social sciences, communications, public relations, business administration and management. 
  • 5 years of relevant experience at the national level including experience in organizing large-scale conferences. 
  • Excellent managerial/organization skills and a solution-oriented attitude. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and within a multicultural team. 
  • Strong skills in writing communications content for large events and international conferences. 
  • Good command of information and communication technology. 
  • Prior experience with the UN system would be an asset. 
  • Previous experience in organizing international conferences and supporting the coordination of numerous stakeholder groups. 

Language:

  • Excellent oral and written communications in English and Albanian required.

    VII. Application procedure and deadline

Interested applicants must submit the following documents / information (in PDF format) to demonstrate their qualifications.

  • Letter of interest explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
  • Signed Curriculum vitae with at least 3 names and contact details of references.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adheres to these standards and principles.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: