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For every child, the right to hope, care, future, education, knowledge

How can you make a difference?

Nepal has achieved substantial progress in expanding access to Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED); however, evidence from national learning assessments, school readiness studies, and programme evaluations continues to highlight significant challenges in the quality of early learning experiences and children's readiness for primary education. Research from Nepal and globally demonstrates that quality early learning opportunities, developmentally appropriate pedagogy, strong teacher support systems, and effective transition from ECED to Grade 1 are critical determinants of children's later learning and educational success. At the same time, there is growing interest in adapting evidence-based approaches, including structured pedagogy, to strengthen teaching and learning practices in ECED settings while ensuring affordability, feasibility, and sustainability within government systems.

In this context, UNICEF seeks technical expertise to support the design, development, testing, and refinement of a Structured Pedagogy-Informed ECED Package and Grade 1 Transition Package that is aligned with Nepal's Integrated Curriculum, Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), and school readiness priorities. The assignment will help improve the quality of ECED services, strengthen children's developmental and learning outcomes, and support a smoother transition from ECED to Grade 1.

The consultants will work closely with UNICEF, and relevant stakeholders to develop an integrated package that strengthens children's learning and development in ECED, making them ready to learn and transition into Grade 1. The assignment will include the development of structured daily activity plans (192 days for ECED and at least the first 90 days, but not limited to, for Grade 1 teachers focusing on transition), formative assessment tools, coaching guidance, school readiness and transition resources, parent and caregiver engagement materials, and practical implementation guidance for teachers, schools, and local governments.

The consultancy will also support the testing and refinement of materials, tools, and implementation approaches based on emerging evidence and stakeholder feedback. Particular attention will be given to ensuring that the package is developmentally appropriate, inclusive, scalable, affordable, and adaptable to diverse implementation contexts across Nepal.

The assignment will deliver a technically validated (1) Structured Pedagogy-Informed ECED Package and (2) Grade 1 Transition Package, including resources for implementation, monitoring, teacher support, and integration within existing government training, coaching, and quality assurance systems. Together, these outputs will contribute to improved school readiness, stronger foundational learning outcomes, and more effective transition from ECED to basic education.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Early Learning Consultants (ECED and Grade 1 transition).pdf

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

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in Early Childhood Education, Education, Child Development, Teacher Education, or a related field
Work Experience:
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in Early Childhood Education, foundational learning, curriculum development, teacher professional development
- Demonstrated experience in developing or adapting teaching-learning materials, teacher guidebooks, training packages, or curriculum resources for ECED and/or early primary education.
- Proven experience in designing and implementing programmes focused on school readiness, early grade learning, transition to primary education, structured pedagogy, or teacher professional development.
- Experience conducting technical consultations and facilitating collaboration with government, development partners, and education stakeholders.Skills (optional): [Insert technical and non-technical skills].
Language Requirements: Excellent command in Nepali and English language, particularly proven ability to write in Nepali
Knowledge/Expeertise/Skills:
- Strong knowledge of child development, early learning, school readiness, foundational learning, and effective pedagogical practices.
- Familiarity with evidence-based approaches to structured pedagogy, formative assessment, coaching, mentoring, and teacher support systems.
- Good understanding of curriculum design, competency-based learning, and instructional material development.
- Knowledge of international and national evidence related to ECED quality improvement and transition to primary education.
- Understanding of education system strengthening, implementation science, scalability, affordability, and sustainability considerations within public education systems.
- Familiarity with Nepal's education sector, ECED curriculum, ELDS, and teacher professional development systems will be an asset
- Strong interpersonal and training delivery skills
- Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines
Desirables: Prior work experience with Government, UNICEF or other UN organization is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal Early Learning Consultant.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal:
Applicants are requested to submit a technical proposal (max 3 pages) demonstrating relevant expertise and experience indicating either of ECED package or Grade 1 transition package consultancy. Previous approved/published work on teacher support resources, TG or TRM needs to be included as part of the technical proposal.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

National Early Learning Consultants (ECED and Grade 1 transition) - remote with travel