Consultant (South Africa, Learning and Scaling), Education Outcomes Fund, remote. Req#589171

UNICEF; Remote; ZAR 990 000 - 1 321 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children's rights organization seeks a Consultant in South Africa to lead a learning and evidence synthesis agenda for an Early Childhood Education Fund. Responsibilities include engaging with government and stakeholders, conducting research, and co-developing frameworks to enhance educational outcomes. Ideal candidates must have extensive experience in education and a degree in a related field. The position is remote until September 2026 and offers a robust opportunity to impact early learning initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in education or international development.
• Experience with Early Childhood Development (ECD) is essential.
• Proven track record in policy briefs and high-quality analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the learning, scaling, and evidence synthesis agenda for Fund 1.0.
• Facilitate a high-level design process for the Learning & Scaling Agenda.
• Conduct desk research and stakeholder interviews to identify financing options.

Skills

Education policy understanding

Analytical report production

Government engagement experience

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Degree in Education, International Development or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

Consultancy: Consultant (South Africa, Learning and Scaling)

Duty Station: UNICEF Hosted Funds, Education Outcomes Fund
Duration: 01 February 2026 – 30 September 2026
Home/Office Based: Remote

Background

In partnership with the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) launched the South Africa ECCE Outcomes Fund (“Fund 1.0”) in December 2025. Over three years, five implementing partners (IPs) will open around 1.4k new Early learning programmes (ELPs) and support around 600 existing ones throughout the country. The Outcomes fund is a form of outcomes‑based financing, wherein payment to IPs is dependent on their progress towards pre‑specified target outcomes. Under this model, EOF, IPs and pre‑financers providing working capital and performance management to the IPs will frequently collect monitoring and evaluation data related to the interventions. Fund 1.0 was developed to learn about how to improve ECCE quality, provide space for innovation, and be an opportunity for the DBE to broaden partnerships with non‑state ECCE providers. In line with the 2030 ECD strategy and the Bana Pele Blueprint, the DBE and EOF aim to surface learnings from Fund 1.0 to inform the design of a future outcomes fund (“ELP Fund 2.0”). EOF is looking to collaborate with a consultant who will serve as a full‑time member of the South Africa country team, leading the learning, scaling and evidence synthesis agenda for Fund 1.0. EOF will transition out of UNICEF on or before 30 September 2026 to another host. The successful candidate is expected to be transitioned to the new host to continue supporting implementation of the program. Further details will be provided in the recruitment process.

Scope of Work

1. Shaping Fund 2.0 by engaging with the DBE and national partners to determine key learning priorities and questions needed to launch Fund 2.0, including an analysis of the ECD market and opportunities for sector‑wide value addition.
2. Collaborate with IPs and their pre‑financers to surface learnings by leveraging IPs data collection throughout implementation and through peer‑learning engagement.
3. Synthesize findings across all learning agenda pillars into coherent evidence and insights that can inform strategic decisions for the DBE and EOF during and after implementation.
4. Disseminate key learnings and influence the broader ECD ecosystem by sharing evidence with sector stakeholders, contributing to public dialogues, and strengthening coordination and collaboration across complementary initiatives.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables

• Learning & Scaling Agenda Co‑design
  • Facilitate a high‑level co‑design process with DBE, EOF and national stakeholders to finalize the Learning & Scaling Agenda that will orient Fund 1.0 learnings and provide strategic evidence inputs for Fund 2.0.
  • Produce background materials, convene the primary multi‑stakeholder launch workshop, and deliver a short implementation roadmap for Year 1 learning activities.
  • Deliverables (due 30 July 2026):
    • Workshop background note (4–6 pages) and workshop agenda.
    • Participant list and stakeholder engagement log.
    • Workshop report (5–7 pages) with agreed learning priorities, research questions and decision cycles.
    • Short Year‑1 learning roadmap (estimated 2–3 pages).
• Desk Research & Landscape
  • Conduct a structured desk review and ~20 targeted stakeholder interviews to surface financing/partnership options for scale, including risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Deliverables (due 30 September 2026):
    • 15–20 page analytical report: landscape & financing models, interview summaries, risks & mitigation, and 3–5 concrete Fund 2.0 options.
    • 2‑page executive summary for DBE/EOF leadership.
• Data & Reporting Framework Co‑development
  • Co‑develop a practical Data & Reporting Framework that standardises learning outputs across IPs and pre‑financers, aligns with DBE’s National Data Observatory, and clarifies governance, roles and sharing protocols.
  • Deliverables:
    • Draft reporting templates, shared data dictionary and governance note (draft due 31 March 2026).
    • Final Data & Reporting Framework (5–7 pages) including reporting cadence, roles, validation checklist and operational guidance.
    • Validation notes/acknowledgements from representative IPs and pre‑financers.
  • Milestones:
    • Draft by 31 April 2026
    • Final framework by 30 July 2026
    • Final data platform system by 30 March 2026
    • Data platform updated by 30 June 2026
    • Final platform by 30 September 2026
• Market‑for‑Scale & System Readiness Diagnostic
  • Rapid diagnostic of the ELP market and system readiness for scale, assessing registration barriers, workforce capacity, provider business models and financing options.
  • Deliverables (due 30 September 2026):
    • Short diagnostic plan & methodology and rapid evidence map.
    • Diagnostic report (up to 20 pages) with actionable policy & program options.
    • Annex: provider case summaries and an action roadmap.
• Annual Learning & Scaling Reports, 12 Peer‑Learning Exchanges and Final Synthesis
  • Convene and sustain cross‑partner peer learning, produce annual synthesis reports, and recommend system actions for DBE and national fora.
  • Deliverables:
    • 3 peer‑learning sessions (quarterly across 2026) with agenda, 2‑page brief and summary notes.
    • Integrative synthesis report.
  • Due 30 September 2026.
• Travel: 3 site visits within South Africa, each of 4 working days.

Qualifications

Education

• A degree in Education, International Development, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field is required.
• A Master’s degree is preferred but not required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills

• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in education, international development, the nonprofit sector, management consultancy, public policy, government.
• ECD experience is required through policy, research or academic work, or direct implementation.
• Experience in government engagement, particularly with South Africa’s DBE.
• Understanding of education policy (preferably ECCE) and systems strengthening, including pathways for scale‑up and sustainability.
• Proven track record of producing high‑quality analytical reports and policy briefs.
• Strong analytical and synthesis abilities to feed operational insights into broader knowledge‑generation and policy agendas.
• Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills with a solution‑oriented mindset.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and facilitation skills.

Requirements

Completed profile in UNICEF’s e‑Recruitment system and upload copy of academic credentials.

Financial proposal including:

• Costs per deliverable and the total lump‑sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
• Travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
• Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability.

Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credentials and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully‑vaccinated status against SARS‑CoV‑2 (Covid‑19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)‑endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. This does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.