International Consultant (Reviewing Guidelines of a Preschool Child Care Center)

iDE (International Development Enterprises) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending poverty. With over 40 years of experience, iDE is a pioneer in market-based development. Our work within agriculture, sanitation, climate change resilience, and gender equality, stands out because we don’t simply provide handouts. Instead, iDE believes in powering small-scale entrepreneurs and building robust market ecosystems that lay the groundwork for low income and marginalized people to prosper on their own terms. iDE has almost 1,300 global staff, and offices in 10 countries across Africa, Asia and Central America.

Requirements

1. Background

iDE is seeking the services of a qualified consultant to provide an independent review of the guidelines for a preschool child care center in Nepal. These guidelines were developed recently by consultants. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the guidelines align with generally accepted principles and practices, and that they prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the children under our care.

Attached as background information are:

• Draft of the guidelines as prepared by the previous consultants
• Original Terms of Reference for developing the guidelines

The consultant will report to:

• Country Director, iDE Nepal
• Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Officer, Asia

2. Objective

The main objective of this consultancy is to assess the quality of the existing guidelines and compare them with internationally recognized standards for preschool child care.

3. Scope of Work

Here's a more detailed elaboration of what is expected from the consultant:

1. Comprehensive Review of Existing Guidelines:

The consultant will thoroughly examine the draft of the guidelines that were prepared by the previous consultants. This review should encompass all aspects of the guidelines, including policies, procedures, and practices.

2. Comparison with Generally Accepted Principles, Practices, and Standards:

The primary task is to compare the existing guidelines with internationally recognized principles, practices, and standards related to preschool child care. This involves assessing how well the current guidelines align with established best practices in the field.

3. Identifying Areas for Improvement and Gaps:

The consultant should identify any areas in the current guidelines that may require improvement to meet or exceed international standards. This includes recognizing any gaps or deficiencies in the existing guidelines.

4. Recommendations for Enhancement:

Based on the comprehensive review and the identification of areas for improvement, the consultant will be responsible for providing specific, actionable recommendations for enhancing the guidelines. These recommendations should aim to bring the guidelines in line with internationally accepted standards for early childhood development.

5. Clear and Detailed Reporting:

The consultant will be expected to compile a detailed report summarizing the findings of the review. This report should include an assessment of how well the existing guidelines align with international standards, a breakdown of identified areas for improvement, and a clear set of recommendations. The report should be comprehensive and well-structured for easy understanding.

4. Deliverables

The consultant will provide:

• An annotated copy of the guidelines with detailed comments and recommendations (Word or pdf format).
• A slide deck summarizing key findings and recommendations (PowerPoint or similar).
• A verbal presentation of key findings and recommendations with Q&A discussion (1-2 hours by Zoom or similar).

5. Timeframe

The consultancy is expected to take up to three days of the consultant’s time and should be completed by December 15, 2023.

6. Qualifications

The consultant should have:

• A Master’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Development or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in child care or a related field.
• Proven experience in policy or guideline review.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Familiarity with international standards in preschool child care.

Benefits

How to Apply

Interested and qualifying applicants can submit their application Letter and CV in English, with both phone and email contact details of at least 3 professional references by November 30, 2023.

Benefits

As per the iDE and Nepal norms.

iDE Nepal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and Members of Disadvantaged Caste, Ethnic and Religious Groups are Strongly Encouraged to Apply.