Consultancy to Provide Technical Assistance in Developing an Early Childhood Development... Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Montenegro

Summary : Consultancy to Provide Technical Assistance in Developing an Early Childhood Development Programme

Deadline : 20 Aug 2018

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 25579322

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND
Stanka Dragojevica bb, UN Eco House 81 000 Podgorica Tel: + 382 20 447 400 Fax: + 382 20 447 471
Montenegro
Email :podgorica@unicef.org
URL :http://www.unicef.org/

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Consultancy to Provide Technical Assistance in Developing an Early Childhood Development Programme.

1. Background and Context: Montenegro has an upper-middle-income economy and is a candidate for accession to the European Union (EU). This process is a national priority and a major driver of reforms for human and children-s rights.

Observance of human and child rights represents an important part of the enlargement policy for Montenegro and an essential value of the European Union. Thus, the country has undertaken relevant measures to implement institutional, legislative and administrative reforms to align its policies with those internationally recognized and make sure that the rights and needs of each individual child are observed and protected in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. However, not all children have benefitted equally and there are still significant regional and urban/rural inequalities to be addressed, as well as divergences between socioeconomic quintiles, and deprivations based on discrimination.

UNICEF Montenegro Country Programme (2017-2021) is aligned with the Government of Montenegro-s EU accession priorities, the National Strategy on Sustainable Development until 2030 and the Integrated UN Programme in Montenegro (UNDAF, 2017-2021). The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children-s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism.

There is a growing evidence that addressing inequity by investing in the health, education and protection of children in their earliest years, particularly those most disadvantaged ones, will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Moreover, this type of investment yields benefits at national levels, leading to the sustained growth and stability of countries.Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. The evidence also shows that the best start in life begins in preconception and it is crucial for the entire lifecycle and development of motor, cognitive, language, socio-emotional, and self-regulation skills. (The Lancet: Advancing Early Childhood Development: from Science to Scale, 2016).

The Consultant will provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance for ECD programmes/interventions within the UNICEF Country Programme in Montenegro (2017-2021). This will entail a variety of technical and administrative tasks from planning to delivery of results, and facilitating programme development, implementation, and progress monitoring and reporting.

2. Purpose and Objective: The purpose of the consultancy is to provide a transition point and preparation for a new cross-sectoral programme on Early Childhood Development of UNICEF Country Office in Montenegro.

The objectives of the assignment are: (i) to support the UNICEF Country Office in Montenegro and relevant national partners in the process of development of a comprehensive and multi-year early childhood development (ECD) programme; (ii) to support UNICEF in developing a budgeted Action Plan with clear monitoring and evaluation framework and (iii) to support UNICEF in mobilising resources for implementation of the ECD programme and implementation itself. The work will be carried out in close cooperation with national and international partners.

3. Methodology and Technical Approach: A detailed work plan with time frame will be developed and agreed with the supervisor, including regular meetings and reporting. The Consultant is expected to take part in weekly all staff meetings, monthly programme meetings, as well as to prepare monthly reports about assigned deliverables.

4. Activities and Tasks:

1.Support to ECD programmes/interventions development and planning•Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis and assessments on ECD related issues to establish evidence-based data to support holistic policy and programme development, as well as coordinated planning, implementation, and monitoring of early childhood development programmes/interventions within the country programme.•Keep abreast of national, regional and international development priorities to identify opportunities where ECD can enhance inter-sector partnership, integration and linkages.•Participate in CO programme discussion to determine areas for ECD integration/intervention.•Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the ECD programmes/interventions using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).•Prepare required ECD documentations for programme review and approval, including proposals for resource mobilization on early childhood development interventions. •Work closely and collaboratively with UNICEF CO to ensure internal coordination between ECD programmes/interventions and interact closely with the national health sector to discuss strategies and methodologies on ECD which would ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

2.Programme monitoring and delivery of results on ECD programmes•Plan and/or collaborate with UNICEF colleagues and partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results on ECD programmes.•Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with UNICEF colleagues and partners to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.•Actively monitor ECD programmes/interventions through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant colleagues/officials for timely resolution.

3.Technical and operational support to programme implementation•Provide technical guidance and operational support in implementation of ECD programmes/interventions. •Draft ECD policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.•Prepare inputs for communication and information materials on ECD programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and promote increased investments in ECD programmes and interventions.

5. Deliverables and Timeframe: The Consultant is expected to produce monthly progress reports, as well as the final consultancy report with the actionable recommendations.

Duration: This assignment will commence on 14 September 2018 and will end on 31 December 2018, with a possibility of extension. The Consultant is expected to work full time and will be based in the UNICEF CO in Podgorica.

6. Management and Organisation

Management: The ECD Consultant will report to the Deputy Representative of UNICEF and will work closely with all sectors of the UNICEF CO in Montenegro.

Organization: National Consultant will be required for this consultancy.

7. Qualifications and Background

The Consultant is expected to have the following qualifications to complete the task:

Education:

•Advanced University Degree in public health, nutrition, human development, child development, family studies, or any health or social science. Experience: •Minimum two years of professional experience in health related and/or social development planning and management re early childhood development at the national level.•Health sector proficiency will be a strong asset to complement the existing skills set in the office.•Prior work experience in the UN system or international development organizations will be an asset.Language: •Fluency in English and Montenegrin (written and verbal) language is required.Other: •Proven ability to work and collaborate in a team and maintain excellent collegial and respectful working relations. •Capacity to research, evaluate and synthesize information.•Ability to present data in an interesting and effective way.•Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.•Highly organized, detail-oriented with ability to work quickly and efficiently as part of a team.•Ability to build and sustain effective working partnerships with relevant partners. •Advanced writing skills in English.•Excellent computer skills including MS Office.

8.Budget and Remuneration

•Consultancy feeThe candidates are requested to submit their financial offer consisting of monthly fee for the services tobe provided, travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.The Consultant-s fee may be reduced if the assignments/deliverables are not fulfilled to the requiredstandard. In a case of serious dissatisfaction with the Consultant-s performance the contract may beterminated in line with UNICEF procedure in such matters and as spelled out in the Contract.

•Payment schedule The payments will be made upon submission of monthly reports and invoices.

•RecourseUNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

9. Application procedure:

•To apply for a vacant position, please submit P-11 form along with your motivation letter through “apply” button. •The candidates are requested to submit a financial offer as a separate document consisting of a monthly fee for the services to be provided, travel and subsistence costs, as/ if applicable.•The consultant-s fee may be reduced if the assignments/deliverables are not fulfilled t

Documents

 Tender Notice