Consultancy, Review of the 2001 Early Childhood Care and Education Policy and development of a new policy framework- UNICEF Botswana

Justification/Background

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) in Botswana is launching a reception programme (1 year pre-primary) in January 2014 with 121 primary schools (out of about 750). This is a transition measure towards a full national 2-year pre-primary education programme. The transition is expected to take 5 years until the full pre-primary programme is available nationally. The transition period is also cognisant of the ambition of the government to promote 0-6 year old Early Child Development (ECD).

Similarly, the Ministry of Health (with mandate to secure the health of mothers and young children) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (with the mandate of to secure adherence of the Children’s Act 2009, the Act that brings the UNCRC and the African Charter on the Rights of the Child into law in Botswana, and responsibility to provide 0-6 services) have been developing services for young children in the 0-6 age bracket to promote Early Child Development (ECD).

In this context of change and renewed government activism in the area of ECD, the 2001 ECCE Policy needs to be reviewed and updated. Given UNICEF’s long-standing support to the Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD)[1], this represents a new opportunity to support the Botswana Government to fulfil its ambition for all young children, particularly in the context where only about one-fifth of learners access a form of pre-primary education and where the integration of early child services (eg education, health and social services) needs to be enhanced.

To support the MoESD review the 2001 ECCE Policy, UNICEF Botswana is seeking technical assistance to review of the ECD sector and develop a new ECD policy in consultation with stakeholders and partners.

A consultant is sought for 5 months to complete this task from 1 August 2014. The remainder of the Terms of Reference provides detail on the requirements for the consultant.

2. Scope of the Work (Work assignment)

The consultant will be required to provide the following services:

1) Review of the Early Child Development sector

This would incorporate:

a. A desk study analysing the available literature, sector reviews, legislation, policies and programme information and statistics

b. Interviews of key government and non-government stakeholders

c. Field research to develop 3-4 representative case studies of how different ECD services are operating in communities at district or sub-district level.

2) Development of draft ECD policy framework

This would involve drafting a set of consultation documents setting out the key dimensions of a new ECD policy framework and the evidence and policy challenges for each dimension in order to support a wide stakeholder consultation process.

3) Consult with stakeholders on ECD

Using the draft ECD policy framework, undertake an extensive consultation with ECD stakeholders and partners.

4) Finalise ECD policy framework with guidance and materials on developing the ECD policy

Use the evidence from the consultation to finalise the ECD policy framework and develop a resource pack to support MoESD and other Ministries develop the policy.

3. Expected Deliverables

This section provides the detail of the work expected from the individual. It sets out the activities to be undertaken and the outputs to be delivered against the timeline of the field tests. (The table below is draft and will be finalised with the successful consultant.)

ActivityOutputs / deliverables Complete by 1) Review of the Early Child Development sector

This would incorporate:

1. A desk study analysing the available literature, sector reviews, legislation, policies and programme information and statistics
2. Interviews of key government and non-government stakeholders
3. Field research to develop 3-4 representative case studies of how different ECD services are operating in communities at district or sub-district level. Report(s) capturing the different elements of the review, which should include:

· Literature review

· Analysis of related legislations, policies and programmes in Botswana

· Evidence from stakeholder interviews

· Case studies of field research documenting how ECD is operating in different communities

· Recommendations from review January 2015 2) Development of draft ECD policy framework

This would involve drafting a set of consultation documents setting out the key dimensions of a new ECD policy framework and the evidence and policy challenges for each dimension in order to support a wide stakeholder consultation process. ECD policy framework documentation for consultation , which includes:

· Conceptual framework

· Policy proposals

· Evidence for the proposals

· Key issues, dilemmas and other issues related to the policy proposals

· Documentation (eg questionnaires) to support the consultation process January 2015 3) Consult with stakeholders on ECD

Using the draft ECD policy framework, undertake an extensive consultation with ECD stakeholders and partners.

. Conferences, surveys/interviews and workshops completed as part of extensive consultation with all stakeholders and partners.

Report on outcome of consultation April 2015 4) Finalise ECD policy framework with guidance and materials on developing the ECD policy

Use the evidence from the consultation to finalise the ECD policy framework and develop a resource pack to support MoESD and other Ministries develop the policy. Final ECD policy framework document

Resource pack to support MoESD and other Ministries to complete policy development process. May 2015

4. Payment Schedule

Payments shall be based on agreed deliverables on the following basis:

· 30% upon signing of the contract

· 30% upon satisfactory completion of the milestones planned for January 2015 aboveNove

· 40% upon satisfactory completion of all the contract milestones

5. Desired Background and Experience

This section provides the expected knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences of applicants. Please only apply if you are able to meet all the essential criteria.

AreaCriteria Reason for inclusion Essential / Desirable KnowledgeKnowledge of the early child development services in Botswana To understand the context of the project Desirable Knowledge of ECD systems in other countries similar to Botswana To ensure policies are benchmarked against best international practice Desirable Advanced technical knowledge of ECD from health, education and family support disciplines, including knowledge of international trends and research relating to ECD as it pertains to education, health and family support. To provide leading-edge advice and thought leadership on the project EssentialSkills Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English To generate clear and concise reports and communicate complex content effectively orally. Essential Advanced policy development skills including:

· data and research analysis

· stakeholder engagement

· policy formation To execute the core aspects of the project effectively Essential Effective organizational skills and ability to multi- task and handle work in an efficient and timely manner. Demonstrated ability to coordinate tasks to meet deadlines necessary. To be able to understand the context of the project quickly and work within the tight project timescale and to show ability of working effectively in complex organisations such as government and UN organisations Essential Strong analytical skills To review and interpret the policy context Essential AttitudesCommitted to working to time and high quality To produce the best results within the contract Essential Confident in suggesting new ideas or solutions to solve issues that emerge through the project To ensure that the delivery of the project can be as effective as possible Essential Experiences Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the area of ECD policy development. Experience in programme implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Essential Experience of working with national government ministries or UN agencies To show ability of working effectively with government and UN organisations Desirable Education qualification Advanced University degree in a field relevant to ECD. Proven evidence of high level of technical and expertise in the area of the subject matter Essential

6. Call for proposals

Individuals are invited to complete the P11 form, provide a CV and a statement of how they meet the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience as set out in the “Expected Background” section. Where possible provide examples of meeting the requirement. Applicants are also invited to provide their rate (daily, weekly or monthly).

Deadline for application is November 7 2014. Depending on the responses, individuals may be invited to provide further information and/or invited to an interview.

7. Evaluation weighting

70_% technical

30_% financial

100% total

8. Conditions

• The contractor will work on its own computer(s) and use its own office resources and materials in the execution of this assignment.

[1] UNICEF has supported the MoESD in: developing the ECCE policy 2001, the 0-3 year old curriculum (not published as yet), the 4-6 year old curriculum and Teacher training curriculum for ECD (the last two are being used as part of the reception programme).

How to apply:

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the indicative fee range with the title of the consultancy to: cmekandi@unicef.org,copying jfan@unicef.org,nmacharia@unicef.org and shiraz.chakera@gmail.com .

All applications should be sent by cob 07 November 2014.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.