Terms of Reference: ECCD Local Expert/Consultant

Extending Integrated Community Based ECCD in Kosovo

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Background on Save the Children

Save the Children is the leading global independent organisation for children.Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Our vision: A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Our mission: To inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Our values: Accountability, ambition, collaboration, creativity and integrity.

We are committed to ensuring our resources are used as efficiently as possible, in order to focus them on achieving maximum impact for children.

General information on the project

The specific objective of this project is to improve access and quality in ECCD services that foster holistic development of children aged 0-6. In line with this objective the project aims to promote better care and education practices for children attending preschools and community-based ECCD centres by increasing educators’ professional capacities in certain core areas, and thus improve the quality of education provided in preschools and ECCD Community Based Centres in targeted municipalities.

Objective

To create a “how-to” guide which will include good practices from Save the Children’s ECCD model for the following research activity: Document SCiK’s ECCD community-based model, including a budget analysis of investing in pre-school education in at least two municipalities

Location and official travel involved

Official travel might include travel to specified project locations within Kosovo in agreement with SCIK staff for any assignment related interviews with the field team and project beneficiaries.

Services the Supplier will provide

The consultant will be responsible for creating a comprehensive guide on how to set up an ECCD centre in Kosovo, through utilization of SCIK’s tested methodology and approach, which will outline the exact costs, budget analysis and procedures. This guide will assist the government in replicating SCIK’s ECCD model, which will serve as a “how-to” guide in how to initiate and maintain an ECCD centre in the long term. These findings will then be compiled into a policy paper which will be used as part of an “advocacy package”, meant to advocate to the government on the importance of investing in early childhood education.

Experience and skill set required

The consultant should have the following essential skills and knowledge:

• University degree (Masters’ degree preferred, PhD is an advantage) in evaluation, research, education, human rights, psychology, social work or any related field in the social sciences;
• Previous experience in conducting high-quality evaluations; preference will be given to applicants with experience in the field of early childhood care and development, and delivering education development programs
• Excellent command of English and Albanian (written / spoken). Serbian would be an asset;
• Ability to produce concise and well-written reports, in reader-friendly format, demonstrating excellent analytical skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to audiences with varying technical knowledge and skills;
• Creative, open and acceptance for suggestions;
• Respect for timeframes

SCIK expects the following deliverables and timeline:

Timeline

The assignment should be delivered during the period between April – May 2022, as specified in the schedule below. The final draft of the paper should be delivered not later than fourteen (14) days after receving the final comments and suggestions from SCIK staff.

Estimated Commencement Date: April 7^th 2022

Estimated End Date: May 4^th 2022 (presentation date is not included)

Status updates/reporting

·       Inform SCIK staff on progress/status of deliverable completion;

·       Coordinate with SCIK staff in regards to field visits and conducting literature review (including sources and information published by SCIK);

·       Coordinate with SCIK involving presentation delivery date.

Acceptance

·       Deliverable 1 – to be approved from SCIK staff by April 7^th, 2022;

·       Deliverable 2 & 3 – to be approved from SCIK staff by April 15^th, 2022;

·       Deliverable 4 – to be approved from SCIK staff by April 22^nd, 2022;

·       Deliverable 5 – to be approved from SCIK staff by April 29^th, 2022;

·       Deliverable 6 – to be approved from SCIK staff by May 4^th, 2022;

·       Deliverable 7 – to be decided on a delivery date in agreement with SCIK staff.

General assumptions and dependencies

The organization is responsible for:

·        Providing relevant documents (such as: Early Learning Development Standards for Children age 0 to 6, Kosovo Curriculum Framework, Competent educators of the 21^st Century, etc.);

·        Providing the engaged consultant with quick access to all relevant material produced by Save the Children members.

Payment information 

SCIK will remunerate the Service Provider on a daily gross fee, from which the income taxes and pension contribution will be withheld and paid according to the Kosovo Law. The terms of payment are in accordance with Save the Children International’s payment policy. All payments will be made through bank transfer within Kosovo.

The Service Provider will invoice SCIK for the fee, in accordance with deliverable assignment timeframe (see delivery timeframe above). SCIK will make the payment through bank transfer in Service Provider’s bank account within fourteen (14) working days upon completion of Deliverable 7 (see above) of the consultant’s engagement and timesheet.

The Fees are inclusive of all costs, overheads and expenses, including travel, subsistence and accommodation.

How to apply for the services

Interested Candidates are welcome to apply by sending the documents listed below to procurementkosovo@savethechildren.orgwith the subject line: ECCD Local Expert/Consultant

a.     Financial proposal for each working day including offer in gross amount before any legal deductions of the country of origin;

b.     Curriculum Vitae;

c.      Samples of similar conducted assignments.

The deadline for responses is: March 30th, 2022 by 16:00.