State Consultant- Early Childhood Education (Apply by: May 08, 2017)

1. POSITION VACANT: State Consultant- Early Childhood Education, International Development Agency, Patna, Bihar

2. ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

Our client is a respected, International Development Agency, that works across the globe to promote children's survival, protection and development.

Project Background                                                                  

Early childhood is a crucial period of life in terms of a child's physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.

This is a formative stage and thus, the care, physical and emotional security, stimulation and learning opportunities are available for the child at this stage plays a determining role in child’s future capacities. Investments made in ensuring quality care and learning opportunities for children at this state yields very high returns both economically and socially. Studies demonstrate that children who are provided emotional and physical security, ample opportunities to interact meaningfully with others, stimulating environment within homes and at ECE centers are much less likely to drop out from schools, engage in delinquent behaviour or indulge in deliberate self-harm (drug abuse, risky behaviours and suicide). They enhance as happy, productive and mentally healthy individuals who have skills to deal with challenges of adolescence as well as adulthood. Many families owing to poverty and lack of knowledge may not provide the required support to child alone and hence governments and policy makers must support families with information as well as quality ECE services. Organization global policy documents too advocate for ensuring investments in most formative years of child life to yield better and sustainable developmental and educational outcomes (School Readiness: A Conceptual Framework: International Development Agency 2012). It is categorically stated in International Development Agency School Readiness Framework that investments in early childhood education and care are not just beneficial at individual levels but have multiplier effects at societal and economic levels. It is further discussed in International Development Agency manual on ECE titled ‘School readiness and Transitions.

As per the approved Annual Work plan of the organization Bihar 2016-17, International Development Agency is working with ICDS in ensuring the National ECCE policy 2013 be implemented on ground. The policy has multiple tiers of interventions which are required to support the Directorate of ICDS. In Bihar, there are substantial challenges with respect to the realization of the child’s fundamental right to education and overall development. These challenges are particularly acute in the early years even before children go to school. For instance, there are important issues with respect to the implementation and quality of Early Childhood Education, which is a critical component of the overall development of the young child.

A recent evaluation of the ECE program component in ICDS commissioned by ICDS and International Development Agency (and undertaken by the Consultant in 2013-14) points out to the systemic problems concerning the institutionalization of ECE. A key observation from the evaluation is the need for systemic capacity on Early Childhood Care and Education at all levels within the government system. This systemic capacity building is needed to ensure that children will be provided safe, enabling and stimulating environments both at home and in ECCE centers such as the Anganwadis.

International Development Agency is working with  with NGOs at the district level for implementation and at the State level on policy  matters.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the overall guidance of the Director- ICDS, Government of Bihar and Education Specialist of the International Development Agency, the SC-ECE would provide support to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education in the state, involving, where need be, competent technical agencies for this purpose.

Key Job Responsibilities:

(1) Provide technical support to ICDS for developing strategies to roll out ECCE policy at the State;
(2) Strengthen early intervention strategy for ECCE and identification of disability;
(3) Support to ICDS in conducting the approved curriculum pilot implementation monitoring;
(4) Planning and implementing orientation of DPO/ CDPO in ECCE and training of LS, AWW and AWS in approved ECCE curriculum;
(5) Provide assistance to ICDS in procurement and printing of ECE related items and materials.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification:
(1) Applicants must have a Master’s Degree in the field of Education, Monitoring and Evaluation or Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:
(1) At least 3-5 years of work experience in the area of Education and child development;
(2) Previous experience in the field of disability shall be preferred;
(3) Experience in planning and monitoring of Education and child development Programs or related issues would be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies: 
(1) Demonstrated abilities in educational research and documentation skills would be required;
(2) Good skills of working with government and partners and understanding of system of education;
(3) Ability to use computer software i.e. MS Office, MS Excel, PowerPoint and Internet programmes;
(4) Good verbal and written communication skills (English and Hindi), including presentational skills.

5. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The SC-ECE shall be hired on a consultancy contract through Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd. (SAMS), a respected HR Agency.

6. PROFESSIONAL FEES:

Gross annual remuneration budgeted for the position is attractive. The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history.

7. LOCATION: Patna with need base travel to field.

8. DURATION:

The consultancy assignment will be effective from the date of joining till December 31, 2017.

9. REFERENCE: SC-ECE

10. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senior Consultant
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 2684 2162; 4165 3612
Email: sc-ece@sams.co.in

11. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply to sc-ece@sams.co.in with a cover letter, discussing their interest in and suitability for the position, along with an updated resume, giving details of three references, current cost to organization and expected compensation, by May 08, 2017. For further details, please visit www.sams.co.in.