TOR
Terms of reference for Small Funding Agreement on Community based early childhood centers in rural areas programme in municipalities Zvecan, Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Mitrovica andVushtrri/Vucitrn
Section / ContentBackground / The maternal and child health status in Kosovo is considered to be among the poorest compared to the neighbouring countries and rest of Europe. Young children face many challenges from conception through their early childhood development years, and this is translated into a lower life expectancy and a high rate of chronic health conditions. Based on the MICS 2014, Infant Mortality Rate is estimated at 12 per 1,000 live births, while among Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children is estimated at 41 per 1000 live births. In addition, MICS 2014 suggested that 14.6% of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children under five year are stunted and 2.5% severely stunted. Unemployment and poverty are high, particularly among minority and marginalized populations. In this context, children are the most vulnerable to other serious risks that limit their opportunities for development. In the past five years, Kosovo has developed a strong policy framework with regard to non-discrimination and the creation of an inclusive society. However, despite the strong legislative framework, children from vulnerable and marginalized groups, children with disabilities and repatriated children - continue to face significant challenges in development, education, protection, and participation. Furthermore, only 14% of children throughout Kosovo* attend early childhood education.(MICS 2014). Disability is the major barrier to social inclusion, although there is a lack of accurate data on the magnitude of children age 0 to 6 years old in pre-school education.
Considering that early childhood development programme contributes to building resilience of the divided communities in the Mitrovica region, there is a huge need to strengthen and expand the exsitingservices for young children in this part of Kosovo. Therefore, thepurpose of the proposed project is to deliver and strengthen or expand Community Based Early Childhood centres in selected rural areas with a strong components on child well-being and development, healthy lifestiles, parents involvement in child development (with special focus on fathers) within the daily activities with children.
Objectives, Purpose & Expected results / Outcome 1 By 2020, more children with disabilities as well as from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, as well as Kosovo-Albanians and Kosovo Serbs have access to and utilize a quality continuum of health care and quality education services.
Cluster: Child wellbeing and inclusive education Strengthened capacity at central and municipal levels for scaling up of Home visiting scheme as a part of the decentralized family medicine systems for provision of quality maternal health, and child health and wellbeing services, particularly for the most vulnerable children including Kosovo Serbs in collaboration with education and child protection sectors
Results expected:
1)Community based early childhood centerscapacities arestrengthened to expand the reach of services to additional100of children within the most vulnerable young children and families in rural areas.
2) Improved quality of services for children through capacity development of 60 representatives of local authorities, pre-school, primary and secondary school educators, and parents with focus on early childhood development
3) Communities and parents awareness increased through radio, sensitization sessions, workshops, banners, etcon importance of inclusive education and utilize their rights with special focus on fathers and their involvement in child life
Description of the assignment / Indirectly over 5,000 children and directly around 200 most vulnerable children in selected municipalities of Mitrovica Region of Kosovo* will have an improved access to early learning and school readiness, and timely enrolment to compulsory quality education. Furthermore, 9 community-based early childhood development and learning centres willcontinue functioning and strengthen as a gateway to increase public awareness on the importance of investing more in ECD, and to expand the outreach and effectiveness of inclusive ECD, continuum of care, for the most vulnerable children and families.
This additional intervention will contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the multi-country evaluation (Regional Knowledge Leadership Agenda/RKLA 3) in the area of early learning and school readiness with emphasis on children with developmental delays and disabilities, and children from rural areas, in selected municipalities of Kosovo. In addition, it will contribute to the following Regional Knowledge Leadership Area results: RKLA 3 “Increased and equitable access to quality early education services” and RKLA 6and 7 “Young Child Health and Well-being”: “More families with infants and young children have access to basic services that support equitable and comprehensive young child wellbeing”.
Reporting requirements / Lists of the reporting guidelines and the reports to be prepared during the assignment as well as deadlines for submission:
- Progress Reports (as per SSFA agreement)
- Quarter financial report
- Draft and Final Report
- Training material
- Presentation material
- Workshop/training evaluation reports
Location and Duration /
- Location: Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Mitrovica and Vushtrri/Vucitrn Municipalities
- Starting period: September 2017
- Foreseen finishing period or duration: July 2018
- (detailed timeframe and work plan will be developed jointly with selected applicant)
Qualification requirements /
- Good knowledge of education, health and child protection systems;
- Documented knowledge and experience of working on education, health and child protection sectors analyses, programme planning and implementation;
- Experience in public mobilization, networking and coordination;
- Experience of working with high officials as well as local representatives of the education, social protection and NGOs working in relevant field;
- Excellent analytical and planning skills;
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management, including report writing;
- Experience related to early child development programmes.
Evaluation process and methods /
- Technical Review commettee will be take into consideration following criteria:
- Budget 30 points of evaluation
In total one applicant can receive no more than 100 points.
Administrative issues /
- Applicant is requested to provide CV’s for core staff positions related to this programme (e.g project manager, project assistant, finance)
- Applicant is requested to provide an all project related costs in budget.
Project management / UNICEF Kosovo Office will be in charge for overall monitoring of the programme implementation.
Payment Schedule / Payment schedule will be agreed based on SSFA requirements.
Any other information /
- The rights of each and every child should be recognized and respected - all children are entitled to develop to their full potential.
- Early years of child’s life are critical for later development; particularly 3 - 6 years, with rapid expansion of pre-school and support services for parents of young children to disadvantaged groups of population needed.