International Consultant providing technical support to improve the early childhood development component in preschool teacher training and development programs, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 7 months (Internationals only, Home Based)

Contract Duration – 7 months Working arrangement: Home based UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package. Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF. TERMS OF REFERENCE The purpose of this assignment is to provide support to the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and National Institute of Education of Turkmenistan to improve the early childhood development component in preschool teacher training and development programs (pre- and in-service). If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0001815 External ToR.pdf Requirements: Education: Advanced University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: Early Childhood Development, Education, or any other social sciences. Work Experience: More than 10 years of professional and relevant experience in education, preferably in ECD/ECE in curriculum development, teacher training/capacity development. Proven experience in designing and developing ECEC programs centered on play-based learning, social-emotional development using age-appropriate methodologies. Experience in aligning national education frameworks with global ECD/ECE and international education standards. Experience in providing technical guidance to national education ministries and agencies. Experience leading capacity-building workshops for university faculty, methodologists, and education authorities. Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Knowledge of the pre- and in-service teachers training systems and experience in developing professional development programmes for preschool teachers. Proficiency in identifying gaps and outdated content through situational analyses or gap assessments of existing educational systems. Language Requirements: Excellent written and spoken skills in English or Russian Desirables: PhD in education or any other relevant social sciences will be an advantage. 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 Assessment of suitability vis-à-vis the requirements of this TOR. A summary of experience in similar assignments. Links to/attachments of examples of similar work (files can be stored in Google Drive and links shared with access). Contacts of 3 References A separate financial proposal TMC0001815 Financial Proposal.docx Remarks: 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 .