National Consultant to Provide technical support to the Dept.of Basic Education’s ECD Directorate on early learning & development, Education/Early Childhood Dev., Pretoria, South Africa, 13.5 months, office-based/remote+travel 593089

Contract Duration: 13.5 month

Working arrangement: remote+travel

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.

The consultant shall execute the assignment under the joint supervision of the Director responsible for ECD at the Department of Basic Education and the Early Childhood Development Officer at UNICEF

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:   Terms of Reference, Tech support to Basic Edu.pdf

A minimum of three years’ relevant professional work experience related to the objectives of this assignment in early learning, education, programme management in an education field, preferably in curriculum as well as sound analytical and policy experience

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to produce clear, concise, and high-quality written outputs.

Knowledge of early learning and development and the ECD sector in South Africa is a requirement.

Sound knowledge of current developments in the field of early learning and basic education, including a clear articulation of play-based learning across the education curriculum (NCF and CAPS).

Innovative, good skills in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel as well as excellent and concise writing skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills, willingness to travel and a valid driver’s license, proactive and energetic approach to work and ability and commitment to work under tight timeframes

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.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (financial template   Financial Proposal template to complete Early Learning dev.docxto be completed)

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.

Advertised: 15 May 2026 South Africa Standard Time
Applications close: 28 May 2026 South Africa Standard Time

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