Consultancy - Review of ECDE - Situation Analysis at Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO)

Role overview

• Conduct a comprehensive county-level situational analysis of the ECD system and its programmes in North Counties - Mandera, Wajir (1st Block), and Turkana, Lamu, Marsabit, Kilifi, Isiolo (2nd Block)
• Generate reliable evidence on counties’ existing ECD policies and programmes, their technical capacities and existing technical gaps to implement ECD policies and programmes.
• Review all ECD related programmes and initiatives which were introduced by government and non-government organisations in the selected countries over the last five years and identify promising practices
• Make recommendations regarding developing ECD interventions that promote equity and inclusion and empower teachers with continuing professional development opportunities.
• 5) Analyse existing ECD frameworks and references in multisectoral and sectoral polices, plans and legislation, with a particular focus on the education, health, livelihood and social protection sectors that may provide a legal basis for an inclusive and equitable ECD system as well as identify current gaps.
• Analyse the status and needs of marginalised and vulnerable children, parents and care givers targeted by ECD system and its services and identify gaps in data availability, barriers to accessing ECD services, current ECD programmes coverage,
• Identify and assess existing policies and practices related to pre-service and in-service training, personnel and performance standards, licensing/certification.
• Identify existing human resources for the provision of ECD services, including education officers, trainers, professional and paraprofessional ECD teachers and volunteers who are delivering education services and their professional development needs and gaps in current services.
• Identify potential promising programmes and practices that promote inclusion and equity, and marginalised children access to ECD services and that improve teachers’ knowledge, skills and confidence in apply gender transformative and inclusive teaching pedagogy in the classroom.

Ideal Applicant Summary

• Degree in Education, Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE); Special Needs Education; or social sciences (preferably at masters level).
• Knowledge on ECDE, inclusive education, teacher professional development, educational reform, and Education in marginalised communities/ASAL.
• Experience in working with teachers and learners in ECDE, play based learning, emergency, and crisis situations.
• Excellent understanding of international and Kenyan local legal frameworks on ECDE; inclusive education and Education in Nomadic/pastoral communities.
• Excellent analytical and research skills
• Availability to start work at short notice and to undertake and complete the consultancy within a short period.

Competencies and Behaviour

At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together. Whether you want to join us as an employee, or as a volunteer working in your own country, overseas or online, our selection process includes an assessment based on these core competencies:

• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to facilitate positive change and build sustainable working relationships
• Ability to seek and share knowledge