For every childhood,  education

Type of Contract: Individual Consulting or Consulting Firm
Place of Contract: Managua, Nicaragua 
Contract Duration: 3 months

Background:
The Government of Nicaragua, through the Ministry of Education, implements the Model of Initial Education for Childhood Development (MEIDI) to strengthen Initial Education, focused on the full development of girls and boys, with the leading role of educators. community members, teachers, directors, assistant directors, mothers and fathers. The MEIDI is based on the Early Childhood Policies and included in the National Education Plan 2022-2026, which has the purpose of quality learning for the development of skills, education for all, as well as human growth.

The Initial Education Level is providing quality care in formal, community and multi-level modalities; These last two being the most predominant in rural, remote and dispersed areas of the country.

Likewise, from a Pedagogical Model focused on Full Human Development, in Initial Education it has been proposed to continue advancing in quality and educational coverage, from the process of transition from Normal Schools to Normal Schools of Higher Training, with emphasis on the development of competencies: socio-emotional, communicative, scientific, didactic, methodological, investigative, technological and with a gender focus that favor comprehensive training. At the same time, the processes of continuous training and permanent updating of community educators and in-service teachers are being improved.

It should be noted that there have been significant advances in regulations, design and improvement of school environments, contributing to the learning process with quality according to educational levels, and education will continue to be dignified with infrastructure that guarantees comfort, safety and accessibility, favoring comprehensive development of girls and boys, for the formation of competencies in its dimensions: cognitive, physical, emotional and social.

Within the framework of the strategy for Basic and Secondary Education, and in order to create conditions to advance in coverage, access, quality and relevance, from Early Childhood onwards, equitable relationships, broad participation of women, and comprehensive education are promoted. of sexuality and the prevention of violence in all its forms, strengthening educational practices with gender equality, the recognition of human rights, the promotion of healthy and respectful relationships between men and women, contributing to the comprehensive education of girls and children, teachers and their families.

In this framework, the Ministry of Education proposes, with the support of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and UNICEF, to develop a program aimed at reinforcing and continuing actions in Initial Education, from initial teacher training, continuing training, with the support of technology and gender focus

Consulting objective:

General: Coordinate the preparation of the “Program for the Transformation of the Nicaraguan Educational System in Initial Education, integrating proposed actions to be developed in matters of teacher training, technological equipment for Normal Higher Training Schools, and improvements to the infrastructure in Initial Education classrooms. selected educational centers, all with a gender focus.

Specific:
• Prepare the Program Document that contains the priority objectives, components, proposed actions, scope and implementation mechanisms, aimed at strengthening the training of Early Education teachers with scientific, didactic and technological competencies, with a gender focus, the improvement of school infrastructure in Initial Education and the technological equipment of Normal Higher Training Schools, to be implemented within the framework of the Program.
• Analyze, validate and integrate into the Program Document, the Strategy for the development of Pedagogies in Initial Education with the support of Technology, and the Strategy for the integration of the transversal gender axis, which will be developed with parallel consultancies.

• Develop consultation processes on the Draft Program Document, to be carried out with beneficiaries and members of the Local Education Group (GLE), for validation and/or contributions.

Main consulting activities – See attached terms of reference with details.

Special instructions:

1. This is a local consultancy, candidates must reside in Nicaragua.
2. The consultant or consulting firm will manage and ensure the logistics for work sessions with participants, GLE and/or MINED staff (expenses for refreshments, food, transportation and lodging according to the MINED rate, as necessary)
3. Visits to the field: At least 9 field visits (to conduct focus groups) according to the table in section # 5 of the “Main Activities” section. Once the work plan is established, the number of trips to the field will be confirmed, as well as its budget. If required, an economic amendment to the contract would be worked on.
to. The costs of mobilization, lodging, food and other logistical aspects and visits to the field, if any, must be included in the economic proposal.
b. The consultant must be in charge of organizing his or her own trip (plane ticket, bus, hotel reservations, if applicable) and carry out all the necessary arrangements to guarantee his or her stay in the place where his or her duties are performed.
4. Office space and equipment: The consultant or consulting firm must have its own work space, office equipment, work materials and administrative services.
5. Insurance: The consultant will acquire his/her own insurance policies to support medical expenses and personal accidents that cover these eventualities for the duration of this contract and valid in Nicaragua. UNICEF does not assume responsibility for any accident that the consultant may suffer, since this contract does not imply an employer relationship of any kind. She must present an updated Covid19 vaccine card.
6. Delivery of products and/or reports: The consultant will deliver the agreed products and reports in universally acceptable language in electronic format by mail. The costs of issuing and delivering these products/reports will be borne by the consultant. The products will be delivered in accordance with the schedule established and agreed between the parties.
7. Reservation of property rights: All documents, materials or products of this consultancy are the property of UNICEF and MINED, and may not be used by third parties without authorization. The hired consultant or consulting firm undertakes to maintain confidentiality of the processes and results of the consulting.
8. Penalty for non-compliance: The Contractor undertakes to deliver all the products indicated in the terms of reference within the agreed period. In the event that the Contractor does not comply with the expected products on the dates defined in the contract, a penalty clause in the contract will be complied with.

Selection and remuneration process:

The selection will be carried out through a competitive contest based on the following Criteria:
− Professional training: 20%
− Work experience relevant to consulting: 30%
− Technical Proposal: 30%
– Economic Proposal: 20%

The technical proposal must contain:
1. Methodological proposal for the development of the consulting products, accompanied by:
a. Evidence of knowledge of the Nicaraguan educational system, the level of initial education and teacher training.
b. Evidence of knowledge or previous work in project formulation.

The economic proposals must contain: Economic proposal in córdobas -all included- detailed by item:
− Professional fees
− Mobilization costs – trips to the field, details of each trip: (transport, travel expenses) − Operating costs: teaching materials (if applicable) , production of materials, etc.
− Insurance

Remuneration
FIRST PAYMENT of 25%: upon delivery of product 1 prior approval by UNICEF and MINED (work plan and schedule of activities prepared)
SECOND PAYMENT of 35%: upon delivery of product 2 (Draft Program Document ) to the satisfaction of MINED and UNICEF.
THIRD and LAST PAYMENT of 40%: upon delivery of product 3 (validated and approved Program Document) to the satisfaction of MINED and UNICEF.

Requirements to participate:
Interested individuals or consulting firms are asked to submit their application through the UNICEF employment platform, attaching: letter of intent, updated CV, proof of compliance with the professional profile requested in this call, technical proposal and economic proposal.

Professional Qualification and Experience

Education – in recognized Universities:
– Bachelor’s degree in Educational Sciences, Human Sciences, Economic Sciences, or related careers.
– Specialization studies in project formulation and development.
– Master’s degree in Education or related fields is desirable.

Language: Spanish: Excellent oral and written expression.

Experience:
– Minimum 5 years of experience and knowledge of the Nicaraguan Educational System, desirable with emphasis on Initial Education and Teacher Training.
– Minimum 3 years of demonstrable experience in the formulation of Social Programs and Projects and
– in follow-up and monitoring of Social Programs and Projects.
– Experience in preparing:
i. Technical and evaluative reports on Social Programs and Projects.
ii. Facilitation of participatory processes.
– Experience in managing educational databases and indicators of Social Programs and Projects.

Candidates must demonstrate: 

Fundamental Values ​​in: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Responsibility, Sustainability

Core Competencies in:
– 1.Establish and maintain alliances
– 2.Demonstrate self-awareness and ethical awareness
– 3.Strive to achieve tangible results
– 4.Innovate and embrace change
– 5.Master ambiguity and complexity
– 6. Think and act strategically
– 7.Work collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socioeconomic background or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodations for individual consultants/contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal assistants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodations during the selection process and later in your assignment.

UNICEF has a policy of zero tolerance for conduct inconsistent 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 successful candidates are expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct the background check.

Observations:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will proceed to the next phase of the selection process.

Individuals engaged on a consultancy or individual contract basis will not be considered “staff members” under the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and UNICEF policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits. provided for therein (such as the right to vacation and medical insurance coverage). Your conditions of service will be governed by your contract and by the General Conditions of Contract for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Individual consultants and contractors are responsible for determining their tax obligations and paying any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The successful candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid throughout the contract period. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of full SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) vaccination status with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to assuming mission. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and who are not expected to work or visit UNICEF facilities, program delivery sites or to interact directly with the communities with which UNICEF works, or to travel to perform functions for UNICEF during the duration of their consulting contracts.

If you have any questions, write to itb@unicef.org  before February 24, 2024.