Senior Consultant - ECE Teacher Cadre & Service Rules - HR Reform in Balochistan

<h2><b>OVERVIEW</b></h2> <p><span><span><span>Parent Sector : </span>Education Sector (ED)</span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Duty Station: <span>Remote</span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span id="cke_bm_174S"> </span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Job Family: </span>Education</span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Type of contract : </span>Non Staff</span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Duration of contract : </span>From 7 to 11 months</span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Recruitment open to : </span>External candidates</span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : </span>07-JULY-2025</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span><span><span>UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism</span></span></span></p> <p> </p><h2><b>OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST</b></h2> <p> </p> <p><span><strong><span>Background and Rationale</span></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>The Government of Balochistan (GoB), through its School Education Department (SED), recognizes the foundational importance of Early Childhood Education (ECE) for lifelong learning and equitable development. Guided by the Balochistan Education Sector Plan (BESP 2020–2025) and the Balochistan Partnership Compact (2024–2028), the province is undertaking comprehensive reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of ECE.</span></p> <p><br/><span>One critical bottleneck impeding ECE quality is the absence of a dedicated, professionalized ECE teacher cadre. Existing early childhood educators often lack the specialized training, career progression pathways, and institutional recognition needed to deliver developmentally appropriate, <span>inclusive,</span> and equitable early learning. While the 2015 ECE Policy initiated a foundation, it did not sufficiently address the systemic need for structured service rules and professional development for ECE teachers.  </span></p> <p><br/><span>In response to these critical challenges, the School Education Department (SED), with support from the GPE-System Capacity Grant (SCG), is undertaking a comprehensive reform of its policy framework. This includes the revision of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) policy, alongside the renewal of the overarching Education Policy and the Gender Equality in Education Policy to ensure coherence, inclusivity, and alignment with provincial priorities and international standards. A key component of this effort is the establishment of a dedicated ECE cadre, supported by the development and notification of service rules for the recruitment, deployment, and professional development of ECE teachers. This initiative aims to strengthen regulatory mechanisms, enhance service delivery, and improve learning outcomes at both the ECE and primary education levels.</span></p><h2>Long Description</h2> <p><span>The professionalization of the ECE cadre under the SCG will also play a pivotal role in enabling the effective implementation of STG interventions. By introducing dedicated service rules for the recruitment and professional development of ECE teachers, the SCG will help institutionalize a qualified, accountable ECE workforce aligned with the goals of the STG. This foundational work will ensure that the expanded ECE services supported through the STG are delivered by trained personnel equipped with appropriate pedagogical skills and guided by clear performance standards. Through this alignment, the SCG not only strengthens systemic capacity but also directly contributes to improving the quality and long-term sustainability of service delivery under the STG.</span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span><strong><span>Objectives of the Consultancy </span></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>The objective of this consultancy is to support the Government of Balochistan, through SED, in the development of a dedicated ECE teacher cadre and accompanying service rules. The consultant shall:</span></p> <ul> <li><span>Define the structure, roles, and responsibilities within the ECE cadre.</span></li> <li><span>Develop career pathways, recruitment mechanisms, qualification standards, and continuous professional development requirements.</span></li> <li><span>Align the cadre framework with provincial, national, and international best practices and legal frameworks.</span></li> <li><span>Promote gender-responsive and inclusive workforce strategies, especially for recruiting and retaining qualified teachers in marginalized communities.</span></li> </ul><h2></h2> <p><span><strong><span>Scope of work and timeline </span></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span>Under the supervision of IIEP-UNESCO team coordinator, the consultant shall support the following activities:  </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span>1) Inception and Situational Analysis </span></strong></p> <p><span>a. Conduct a desk review of:</span></p> <ul> <li><span>2015 ECE Policy, Provincial Education Polic