UNICEF is looking for a consultant to undertake following three deliverables:
1. Conduct a mapping of Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies, programmes and interventions in
the Middle East and North Africa countries with a specific focus on early years.
2. Develop a regional ECD roadmap to define the MENA ECD narrative and operationalize the UNICFE’s global
vision on ECD.
3. Build tools and capacities of the ECD country offices focal points UNICEF’s MENA ECD narrative through remote
support and a face-to-face training.
This assignment will primarily focus on understanding the programming landscape and defining the narrative and
roadmap for ECD during early years through the lens of gender and disability. It will also provide updates to the
existing parenting landscape.

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, care 

The early years of a child’s life are of critical importance, laying the foundation for future survival, development and
meaningful community participation as healthy, productive adults. Yet it is the early childhood years that often receive
the least attention and lowest allocation of resources from governments. Globally this issue is being addressed
through provision of early childhood development programmes.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a holistic concept that includes focus on proper nutrition, education, early
stimulation – through play and learning opportunities inclusive and equitable social services, as well as positive family
practices – and reinforcement of positive interactions of the child with caregivers and other family members, in order
to encourage the best possible physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. All children have the right to a
good start in life. Supporting disadvantaged children and their families through policies and services reduces
inequalities and benefits the whole society. UNICEF’s Gender Action Plan (2022-2025) recognizes the importance of
parenting and care programmes to promote healthy outcomes for girls and boys throughout their lives, from infancy
through early childhood and adolescence.
Overall, in the last decades, the progress in Early Childhood Development (ECD) in MENA has been slow and hampered
by low investment and lack of effective reforms. To address this issue, UNICEF conducted situational analysis to assess
the state of ECD in the region at the outcome level indicators. the data show that the percentage of children aged 36-
59 months who are developmentally on track ranges. between 68 per cent in Oman to 84 per cent in Qatar and the
State of Palestine. The home environment plays a very important role in a child’s development and encompasses
factors such as the availability of age-appropriate books, stimulating toys and educational. materials, as well as
parental involvement in learning activities. Almost 60 per cent of children aged 2-5 years receive adequate stimulation
through home learning activities – but with substantial disparities between countries (ranging between 33 per cent in
Yemen and more than 90 per cent in Jordan). Half of the region’s children have playthings at home adequate for their
age. Meanwhile, only 15 per cent have children’s books, with the two lowest rates in Sudan (2 per cent) and Iraq (3 per
cent).
There is a need to provide high quality services in early childhood, to ensure their survival, growth, protection and
development, and thus reinforcing the necessity to invest in quality programmes. To achieve this MENA regional office
is planning to conduct mapping of ECD policies and programmes including parenting programmes to have a full picture
of and understand the ongoing and emerging national and subnational approaches for ECD provision, document lesson
learned and best practices to inform the development of the regional roadmap to operationalize the global ECD vision
and understand barriers to progress and provide evidence-based insights for enhancing ECD planning and
programming in MENA countries as well as to facilitate and support capacity building of ECD focal points at CO level on
ECD programming.

Section/Division/Duty Station: UNICEF MENARO

Home/ Office Based: Amman / Remote (with travel for training)

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Regional ECD focal point, with technical guidance from UNICEF MENARO parenting
taskforce, the contractor will be responsible for the following:
1. Develop a draft Inception report layout.
The Inception report must include desk review of literature and articulate the proposed methodology and
proposes a detailed timeline and tools that will be used for the mapping and stakeholder consultations.
Conduct a mapping of Early Childhood Development (ECD) policies, programmes and interventions in the Middle
East and North Africa countries with a specific focus on early years (first 1,000 day
1. Conduct regional analysis of the output level indicators from the four goal areas of the UNICEF strategic plan using
UNICEF global database for the UNICEF core standard indicators and regional gender action plan indicators related to
ECD and parenting.
2. Mapping of the ECD and parenting
– Map ECD current ECD policies
– ECD existing multisectoral coordination structures
– Map current implementation of ECD and parenting programs and related activities;
– Describe key ECD and parenting programme features; classify ECD and parenting programmes available into
Blind/ sensitive/ responsive or transformative from the gender and disability lens.
– Assess for comprehensiveness of policies and programmes considering both upstream/downstream
strategies (supply/systems/community-based approaches)
– Identify gaps and challenges in providing accessible ECD and parenting services;
– Document factors associated with successful implementation and scale-up; and
– Generate recommendations to inform regional ECD strategy development.
– and national planning and implementation efforts.
– Prepare country case studies/policy briefs reflecting success in ECD multisectoral programming
Develop a regional ECD roadmap to define the MENA ECD narrative and operationalize the UNICFE’s global vision on
ECD.
3. Support the development of Regional ECD roadmap to operationalization of the global ECD vision
– Identifies the strategic priorities, key intervention and actions for ECD, which would serve as the foundation
to develop regional narrative that will provide the strategic directions to country offices to support strengthen
ECD policies and programmes and help achieve the intended results
– Coordinate with regional technical team from different sectors and country offices to develop the roadmap
and case studies
Build tools and capacities of the ECD country offices focal points UNICEF’s MENA ECD narrative through remote support
and a face-to-face training.
4. Prepare summary presentation for regional webinar organised by MENARO
5. Facilitate a two-day training of ECD focal points at country offices level on ECD programming
Draft report
The consultant will prepare and share for comments the draft consultancy report, which will include:
a) A detailed Regional ECD and parenting programmes mapping report.
b) Analytical report focused on challenges and operational issues.
c) A comprehensive roadmap to strengthen ECD and parenting programme implementation.
d) Country specific case studies or policy briefs for selected countries in the region
6. Final report
The consultant will finalize the draft report based on the comments received and country case studies/policy briefs
for selected countries in the region.

Below are details of the assignment and timelines:

• Draft Inception Report Developed

  • Deliverable: Draft report: 10%
  • Delivery Timeline: 15 December 2024 – 15 January 2025 (5 working days)

• Desk Review Report of the Existing Documents and Analysis of the Progress of ECD Output Indicators under the Different Strategic Plan’s Pillars

  • Deliverable: Desk review report: 10%
  • Delivery Timeline: 16 January – 15 February 2025 (5 working days)

• Regional ECD and Parenting Policy and Programmes Mapping Report

  • Deliverable: Regional mapping report is drafted and discussed with stakeholders: 25%
  • Delivery Timeline: 16 February – 15 April 2025 (30 days)

• Prepare the Training Presentations from Existing Training Materials at Regional and Global Level

  • Deliverable: A comprehensive training tool finalized, and a training is conducted: 10%
  • Delivery Timeline: 16 April – 15 May 2025 (15 days)

• Regional ECD Strategy Document (50 Pages Maximum)

  • Deliverable: A comprehensive training tool finalized, and a training is conducted: 20%
  • Delivery Timeline: 16 May – 30 July 2025 (20 days)

• Regional Webinars (Mapping and Strategy)

  • Deliverable: Webinar on findings is conducted: 5%
  • Delivery Timeline: 31 August 2025 (10 days)

• Final Report + Presentation + Country Case Studies or Profiles

  • Deliverable: Final report submitted: 15%
  • Delivery Timeline: 21 October 2025 (10 days)

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

• An advanced University degree (master’s or PhD) in Public Health, Nutrition, Psychology, Social or Public Policy, with experience in ECD programming.
•  At least eight years of experience in ECD and parenting programmes and proven expertise in conducting evaluations, reviews and/or assessments. 
• Experience working with the United Nations, particularly UNICEF, including a strong understanding of UNICEF’s policies and programming is an asset.
• Proven skills in research analysis, including qualitative data analysis techniques.
• Excellent report writing skills, analytical skills, as well as good computer skills.
• Experience leading teams and team processes.
• Knowledge and experience in Gender/gender equity is an asset.

Languages

• Excellent command in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

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 or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Please remember to attach a financial proposal with your application

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.