MAPPING OF ORGANIZATIONS/INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN RWANDA

JUSTIFICATION The current situation of ECD in Rwanda is challenging as services are compartmentalized with limited collaboration and coordination. There is also limited Government budget for ECD services. Yet there are several bilateral and multilateral organizations, Civil society organisations, Faith-based organizations, private individuals, communities, pre-schools or health centres engaged in the provision of ECD+ family services which have not been mapped so far, thus no formal guidance or monitoring. A cursory overview suggests that there are limited links between those organizations working on ECD+ F services. There might be greater networking between those working on various components of ECD, whereas those working on the different components that consist of holistic child development tend to be more specialised and fragmented. The National ECD Taskforce seeks a better understanding of existing organizations and networks working on early childhood development in order to define an appropriate approach for possible support, collaboration and coordination taking into consideration the broad and cross cutting nature of ECD. The mapping will avoid duplication; maximize resources and effectiveness on ECD interventions and programmes. In order to have a picture and landscape of all early childhood services, the UNICEF is requesting for a consultancy to map out the different ECD+F services and their locations in Rwanda.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY The main purpose of the consultancy is to map out or identify organizations and networks currently providing services with a bearing on young children of 0-6 years of age in all districts /sectors in Rwanda.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES •To map existing services by geographical area, and type of ECD activity. • To build a directory of existing and potential organizations providing integrated ECD services, thereby making it easier for the National ECD Taskforce to liaise with them, and provide regular updates on progress; be informed of future funding that may become available; be invited to key events and be informed of all developments regarding ECD in Rwanda. •To identify and highlight gaps or deficiencies in the provision of high quality evidence- based integrated ECD services to children in an equitable fashion across Rwanda. •To define targets for improvements in service equity, quality or efficiency, develop strategies for achieving these improvements and measure effectiveness of thesestrategies. •To monitor the adequacy of workforce supply in relation to current ECD services and support service and workforce planning and development initiatives that aim toimprove identified integrated ECD service gaps in Rwanda. •To have all ECD services or intervention pathways authorized by the quality assurance by the National ECD Taskforce and ECD secretariat, •To assess the extent of linkages and coordination, if any, between those organisations working within and across the early childhood development sector. •To establish formal processes to define how multiple organizations work together to deliver high quality evidence-based integrated ECD services, including care pathways for those detected with risks and delays. •To identify the opportunities and challenges facing existing organisations and networks e.g. funding, political support, capacity etc. •To make service mapping data information accessible to the public and to professionals involved in the care of young children 0-6 years of age in Rwanda.

SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY This mapping exercise will cover all Rwandan districts and sectors and will produce a broad picture of the presence of civil society organizations networks disaggregated by theme, geographical area, type of activity, beneficiaries, and funding sources.

How to apply:

All applications: Motivation letter, P-11 and CVs to be sent to: rwajobs@unicef.org Closing date: 31 May, 2013