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Consultancy- Technical Assistance for Child Friendly Schools Initiative, For 20 Days, Remote

Abu Dhabi

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

The UNICEF Gulf Area Office (UNICEF GAO) is unique in its mandate. It is accountable for providing programmatic support to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. In addition, it identifies, cultivates and sustains partnerships with Gulf-based partners to generate resources for the organization globally. UNICEF has a role to play in ensuring rapid development in the Gulf is child sensitive and child focused and that children remain at the heart of the national development dialogue.

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, hope

UNICEF Gulf Area Office (UNICEF GAO) supports the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its line ministries and authorities to advance the rights of children under the framework of the Gulf area programme (2019-2023). 

UNICEF has developed a framework for rights-based, child-friendly schools that are characterized as inclusive, healthy and protective for all children. Child Friendly schools not only must help children realize their right to a basic education of good quality, they are also required to do many other things — help children learn what they need to learn to face the challenges of the new century; enhance their health and well-being; guarantee them safe and protective spaces for learning, free from violence and abuse; raise teacher morale and motivation; and ensure active and effective child participation.

On the 2nd of May 2018, the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, was recognized as a Child Friendly City by the UNICEF Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI). In order to advance the implementation of the CFCI Action Plan, the Emirate of Sharjah decided to launch the Child-Friendly Schools (CFS) Initiative. The initiative was implemented by UNICEF GAO and SCFO, in collaboration with Sharjah Private Education Authority and Sharjah Education Council.  Accordingly a set of standards were developed for schools and nurseries in Sharjah. The CFS standards  have been guided by the CRC and experience of UNICEF worldwide, in implementing rights-based approaches to education and evidence pertaining to child development and growth, including the importance of nurturing, play and learning in children’s lives. Moreover, the standards have been informed by Federal and Emirate legislation and policies, such as the Wadeema Law, the UAE National strategy for Motherhood and Childhood and the UAE Strategic Plan to Support the Rights and Development of Children with Disability.

SCFO and UNICEF GAO aim to update and contextualize the current standards to match existing assessment processes within Sharjah educational authorities and include standards related to health and nutrition.

It is noteworthy that schools in Sharjah are assessed based on the federal UAE School Inspection Framework and local standards which include several performance standards that define the essential aspects of a quality education. Thus, the Child Friendly School standards aim to complement the existing federal and local standards. As for the nurseries, besides the local standards related to safety and licensing, there are currently no comprehensive standards for assessment. Therefore, UNICEF GAO is looking for an individual consultant/group of consultants to provide technical assistance to the CFS initiative in Sharjah.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this assignment: The incumbent is responsible for providing technical assistance to UNICEF GAO in updating and contextualizing the CFS standards. The incumbent will work collaboratively with UNICEF GAO, SCFO and Sharjah Educational Authorities

Key tasks envisaged for the consultancy include:

  1. Desk review of existing global, federal and local standards, frameworks and assessment processes utilised in schools/nurseries in Sharjah;
  2. Conduct consultations with key stakeholders to discuss proposed standards and assessment processes;
  3. Update and contextualize the Child Friendly Schools and Nurseries standards based on the desk review conducted and inputs received from stakeholders, and incorporate standards related to Health and Nutrition.
  4. Develop technical guidance for Child Friendly Schools, in line with the federal framework;
  5. Develop comprehensive technical guidance for Child Friendly Nurseries.

Deliverables:

  1. Updated standards for Child Friendly Schools;
  2. Updated standards for Child Friendly Nurseries;
  3. Technical guidance for Child Friendly Schools;
  4. Technical guidance for Child Friendly Nurseries.

 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The  consultant/group of consultants is expected to provide all the necessary expertise to complete the assignment and should possess the following knowledge and expertise:

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Education, child development or another relevant field;
  • Proven experience working on child participation and child friendly schools/related processes;
  • Excellent data analysis and research skills;
  • Excellent knowledge of English languages. Knowledge of Arabic Language is a plus;
  • Previous experience working with UN agencies, particularly UNICEF;
  • Demonstrated experience in working with government actors, preferably in the Middle East of Gulf Countries.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

 

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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