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TOR – Consultant - Technical Assistance (TA): Early learning and development in the Foundation Phase (children 6 to 9 years)

Pretoria

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Pretoria
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Human Resources
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
  • Closing Date: Closed

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and related support to UNICEF South Africa that contributes to the programme planning, administration, implementation and evaluation play-based pedagogies in the foundation phase of education (Grades R to 3).

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Learning

Background and Justification 

1.1 The Government of South Africa has a coherent policy on early learning and education in the foundation phase and has made significant strides in this area over the past 25 years. Children aged 7 to 9 fall with the compulsory schooling age group (i.e. reaching 15 years of age or completing Grade 9) and data show most significantly that the country's investment has yielded notable results. Up to 99.2 per cent of children in the compulsory schooling age (7-15-year-old) can be found in school with gender parity reached. However, challenges prevail in with 78% of nine-year olds (Grade 4 learners) could not read for meaning in any of South Africa's 11 official languages (PIRLS) in 2016.

1.2 UNICEF provides strategic and programmatic support to the advancement of early learning through play-based pedagogies in the Foundational Phase for children 6 to 9 years. The scope of programming has increased immensely in the past three years; hence, UNICEF wishes to augment its existing capacity to support early learning and development component of its programmes.

1.3 The consultancy will contribute to the implementation of work plan priorities through direct technical support. The consultancy will be based on a full-time basis at UNICEF.

Scope of Work 

  1. Goal and Objective:

The specific objectives are to:

  1. provide technical support in implementing play-based pedagogies in the Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3), including core aspects of: manipulatives in the Foundation Phase and, early grade reading and numeracy,
  2. contribute to the ongoing work on early grade reading and numeracy,
  3. introduction of STEM and 21st century learning from primary school level through "TechnoKids" programme focusing on interactive digital learning through robotics;

Any other duty that may be assigned by the supervisor related to the above purpose 

  1. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered

2.1 The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and related support to UNICEF South Africa that contributes to the programme planning, administration, implementation and evaluation play-based pedagogies in the foundation phase of education (Grades R to 3).  

3) Activities and Tasks:  

2.3  The consultant shall be accountable to the Chief of Education and Adolescent Development in execution of the following tasks.

2.3.1  Providing technical assistance and support with regards to following in the Foundation Phase:

  1. on learning through play pedagogies in the foundation phase including to partners in government and non-governmental sectors in the overall implementation of the learning through play programme.
  2. on play-based pedagogies and approaches for the learning through play in the foundation phase intervention which include input into technical reviews, assistance with the monitoring of implementation through reports, participation in field visits, assistance with the tracking of deliverables related to the programme.
  3. on manipulatives in the foundation phase: liaise with the training partner, visit project sites, plan training sessions in consultation with the training partner, Department of Basic Education and provincial departments of education; maintain a schedule as well as record of training done and associated data/information;
  4. introduction of and entrenching STEM and 21st century learning from primary school level through "TechnoKids" programme focusing on interactive digital learning through robotics.

2.3.2  Collects and assembles data and background relating to early learning programmes in the Foundation Phase and provides updated information on programme/project financial and administrative status for analysis and report purposes. Analyzes programme/project status, and recommends appropriate adjustments.

2.3.3 Contribute to production of regular donor progress and annual reports.

2.3.4  Participate in programme planning and monitoring missions, meetings and briefing sessions to identity and analyze bottlenecks; recommends courses of action to supervisor and assist where necessary to implement recommendations in relation to play-based learning in the Foundation Phase.

2.3.5  Makes arrangements for visits to project sites for the government and other partners, and provides information and briefing on project activities and status.

2.3.6  Support the development of presentations, advocacy materials, briefings, donor reports and financial analysis.

2.3.7  Administrative Financial: Co-ordinate with operations/supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and government accountability.

2.3.8  Support to the procurement processes of all associated tasks, in close coordination with the Operations section

  1. Outputs/Deliverables: 

Deliverables

Duration

(Estimated # of days or months)

Timeline/Deadline

Schedule of payment

Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice.

Monthly

31 December 2019[1]

Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice

Monthly

31 January 2020

Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice

Monthly

29 February 2020

Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice

Monthly

31 March 2020

Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice

Monthly

30 April 2020

Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Satisfactory completion of deliverables as contemplated in paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 and the submission of a signed monthly report and valid invoice

Monthly

31 May 2020

Monthly fee within 10 days after submission of report and invoice

Payment Schedule 

The consultant shall submit a monthly report in English as descried on the dates as indicated in the table below.

3.2  The following outline must be followed as minimum for all monthly reports:

3.2.1  Cover page

3.2.2  One paragraph summary of the main areas covered in the report

3.2.3 Sub-paragraphs that indicate all activities, inputs, progress and outputs related to paragraphs 2.3.1 to 2.3.8 above.

3.2.4 List of all meetings, workshops or related activities attended and the consultant's input and role.

3.2.5  An indication of any challenges and recommendations thereto

3.2.6  An indication of the priorities for the next month.

3.3  The monthly report shall be submitted electronically and in hard copy (paper)to the supervisor on a date as agreed.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

The following are desired and applicants will be strictly weighed against these criteria. The applicant shall have:

4.1.1     An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: education, psychology, child development, family studies or any other relevant technical field.

4.1.2     Knowledge of play-based learning pedagogies in the foundation phase is a requirement.

4.1.3     A minimum of five years of professional experience in education, social development planning and management in early education related areas is required.

4.1.4     Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

4.1.5     Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

4.1.6     Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

4.1.7     Proven practical, professional work experience in project administration, including research and data analysis.

4.1.8     Seamless knowledge and experience in the use of MS Office Suite

4.1.9     Excellent and concise writing and analytical skills.

4.1.10   Willingness to travel including on short notice

4.1.11   Proactive and energetic approach to work.

4.1.12   Ability and commitment to work under tight timeframes in high pressure environments

Administrative issues 

The contract will be managed in accordance with UNICEF's standard procedures and the day to day work of the consultant will be supervised by the Chief of Education and Adolescent Development.

5.2  The successful candidate will work at the UNICEF offices in Pretoria with resources availed by UNICEF for the execution of the assignment.

5.3  The consultant shall have not expectation for the extension of this contract nor for any continuation of the work associated with this assignment through part-time or fulltime employment by UNICEF.

Conditions  

ETHICAL AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

6.1.1 The successful applicant shall undertake to adhere to the following:

(a)  To always keep information obtained during the work assignment confidential and shall not circulate the documents or any part there-of, at any stage to any party without the explicit written permission of both UNICEF. 

(b)  Not to publish the document, any part thereof, or any reworked version thereof, without the explicit written permission of UNICEF under such conditions that both parties will agree too. 

6.1.2  UNICEF reserves the right to subject any work done for external peer review as part of the quality assurance process in the implementation of this assignment. The person shall be informed if such an action is taken and will be duly informed on the outcome there-off.

6.1.3  The consultant will provide all products that were developed in accessible formats, e.g. MsWord, MsExcel and PowerPoint formats. Graphics presented in any written work, shall be provided in an accessible format. All raw data will be handed over electronically, or if not available electronically, in hard copy.

6.2  GENERAL CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

6.1.1     Please also see UNICEF's Standard Terms and Conditions.

6.1.2     UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from South African nationals, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization

6.1.3       UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks

Risks 

The consultancy may be comprised or at risk mainly due to factors outside the control of the consultant. Mechanisms will be put in place to mitigate risks as far as possible.

How to Apply

7  Qualified persons are invited to submit their application comprising a cover letter and a full Curriculum Vitae indicating all qualifications and relevant experience and quoting a MONTHLY FEE. Applications submitted without a fee/ rate/ budget will not be considered.

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their application to the following link: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=528256 by 20 December 2019

This notice will also appear on http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/, http://www.unicef.org/southafrica, UN Job List, UN Jobs.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in ZAR) to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).  

We invite you to watch a short video on the system on how to apply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePgDIQ9RVYs&feature=youtu.be 

If you have not been contacted within 1.5 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from South African nationals, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization

 

"UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks."

This vacancy is now closed.
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