Jobs in Zambia and Zimbabwe

UNICEF Zambia Receiving CV’S

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Job Title:  Consultant

Purpose: To conduct Content and Age Validation for the Zambia Early Learning and Development Standards.
Location: Lusaka
Duration: 60 Days
Start Date: As Soon as Possible
Proposed Level: NOC
Reporting to: Chief of Education

Background

The key priorities for the Education Sector in the current UNICEF Country Programme for 2011 to 2015 are aligned with the objectives of the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) and the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (MESVTEE) National Implementation Framework III (NIF). One of the strategies proposed in the NIFIII is the development of Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS).  In 2011, the MESVTEE requested UNICEF Zambia Office to assist in the process of developing the ELDS for Zambia. The ELDS were developed with wide stakeholder participation and are ready for validation to ensure content and age validity for the Zambian Children. The Ministry is therefore requesting UNICEF to support this process in line with the 2015 UNICEF/MESVTEE partnership

Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS) is a tool to help parents and service providers integrate children’s early learning and development, measure their developmental progress and assess children’s readiness for schooling. The development and implementation of the Early Learning and Development Standards is one part of a broader ECCDE programme that will support the efforts the MESVTEE is making in ensuring quality of ECCDE services. Creating National Early Learning and Development Standards is a new approach in setting standards and measuring child development and school readiness. This approach is based on the respective country’s expectations of what children should be able to do and know at a particular age.

The process of developing the ELDS involves a number of phases. In Zambia, the process included an orientation workshop for ECCDE specialists and stakeholders to build their capacity in ELDS and the ELDS development process. This was followed by an in-country ELDS development and review process that was spearheaded by the ELDS National Working Group with technical support by a National Consultant and UNICEF Regional Office. The major phases followed are: 

Objective.

To conduct Content and Age Validation for the Early Learning and Development Standards for Zambia.

Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Develop a validation design, methodology and tools for the ELDS content and age validation study
  • Conduct Content and Age validation for the ELDS for Zambia.
  • Conduct a stakeholders workshop to disseminate validation findings and get stakeholders feedback
  • Finalise the ELDS for Zambia based on the Content and Validation study and stakeholder feedback
  • Document the whole process of ELDS content and age validation.

Methodology

The qualitative and quantitative research paradigm will be used for the Content and Age Validation process. For Content Validation the consultants will need to collect data from knowledgeable parties who have not been involved in the development of the ELDS for Zambia.  It is important that these individuals know a good deal about children’s development so that they can render solid judgments regarding the quality of the standards.  For Age Validation, data must be collected on a diverse sample of children in the country.

The sample and population for age validation will include all the 10 provinces of Zambia. The sample should represent both the urban and rural characteristics of the Zambian population and provide a representative landscape in terms of cultural diversity.

The purposive and random sampling methods will be used to select the sample. Purposive sampling will be used to select the provinces, districts and urban rural categories. Parents, children, and other stakeholders will be randomly selected. Data will be collected through structured and semi structured interviews in order to collect quantitative data for age validation and qualitative data for content validation respectively.  The Consultant should ensure that the Research Assistants have adequate experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and should undergo a comprehensive training before they commence the assignment.

Working Modality 

The Consultancy will be undertaken in the framework of the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, and UNICEF collaboration. The Consultant will report and be supervised by the MESVTEE through the Director of Curriculum and Standards and the UNICEF Chief of Education. The ELDS Technical Working group will provide technical support to the Consultant

Budget: Payment Schedule

As per UNICEF rules, a consultant will be paid on a per-task basis upon successful completion of specific tasks and the satisfactory submission of deliverables.

Qualification/Specialized knowledge and Experience

The study will be outsourced to a qualified National or International Consultant who did not participate in the ELDS development process. (If an International Consultant is selected, he/she will be expected to work with a national consultant in order to build local capacity in this process)

The lead consultant should have the following demonstrated competencies:

  • Minimum of a Master s degree in early childhood development, education, psychology, or in a relevant field of social sciences/ behavioural sciences/health sciences.
  • Over 10 years of relevant experience
  • Experience in drafting and validation of ELDS or any related assignment will be an advantage
  • Expertise and experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, preferably in the area of ECCDE, educational research and policy analysis
  •  Excellent writing and analytical skills and ability to synthesize large and diverse sources of information

How to Apply

To view the full terms of reference for this role please visit: www.unicef.org/zambia

Application along with the Expression of Interest Form and P-11 Form should be sent to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] by 6 September 2015:  A detailed edited TOR, the Expression of Interest Form and P-11 Form can be accessed from www.unicef.org/zambia.  National consultants could also send the applications to the Human Resource Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund, 3rd Floor, United Nations House, Alick Nkhata Rd, Longacres, P.O Box 33610, Lusaka.

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.