Consultant on Early Childhood Development (ECD), Vanuatu

UNICEF Pacific is seeking to hire a consultant to provide technical guidance and operational support to the implementation of the ECD activities as per the project Building Better Brains, in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in Vanuatu (ECD lead in-country)

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, a champion 

UNICEF Pacific is seeking to hire a consultant to provide technical guidance and operational support to the implementation of the ECD activities as per the project Building Better Brains, in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) in Vanuatu (ECD lead in-country)

How can you make a difference?

The assignment is from 15 April 2022 to 14 December 2022, with effective work time under the contract for 8 months. During this period, the consultant will focus on overall implementation and monitoring of all approved ECD workplan activities as per the Building Better Brains project, including the following specific tasks:

1) Provide technical and operational guidance for the implementation of the Building Better Brains programme on ECD in Vanuatu, specifically the completion of the ECD policy planning process, advocacy and community mobilization on ECD (including 2022 National ECD Forum);
2) Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports to systematically document the results, including contributing to UNICEF donor reports (year-end report for Building Better Brain) and other required reporting;
3) Support inter-sectoral collaboration through active support to the ECD coordination committee of the MoET and working groups, including organizing and attending necessary meetings;
4) Help follow-up on administrative documents with Vanuatu government to help fulfill ECD activities;
5) Ensure regular coordination with partners and other key stakeholders in Vanuatu;
6) Provide support to emergency preparedness, as required, specifically relating to ECD;
7) Provide technical support to UNICEF Vanuatu so that Health & Nutrition, WASH, CP, Education and other programmes are coordinated and mutually reinforce ECD workstreams and where possible, synergies are identified and implemented, for example in ECD communication/advocacy campaigns;
8) Coordinate activities and exchange information with the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, ECD Manager in Suva, and other UNICEF sections to contribute to the achievement of the ECD programme.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Education, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Community Development or a related field*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in child development, public policy, or a related field.
• Strong experience in public policy, participatory processes and community-based work.
• Previous work experience with Vanuatu government or other UN agencies is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in English, verbal and written.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in a stressful environment.
• Action-oriented approach and strong drive for results.
• Highly developed negotiation and interpersonal communication skills and ability to work in a team.
• High tolerance for operating in an environment characterized by uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and a high sense of integrity.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.