Individual Consultancy for Childcare Policy Reform
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, protecting their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed to our mission, offering diverse opportunities for professional growth within a passionate and inclusive culture. Our work for every child includes advocacy, hope, care, protection, safety, and opportunity.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to reform childcare policy in India by developing National Policy Guidelines on childcare as a core pillar of the care economy, focusing on affordability, accessibility, quality, and universality. The guidelines will target the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Labour and Employment, benchmarking standards against global and Indian evidence, analyzing existing models, and proposing financing strategies. Additionally, an Operational Blueprint for the Palna scheme will be created for UNICEF's internal use, translating the guidelines into a practical framework covering infrastructure, staffing, funding, curriculum, and engagement. These outputs will strengthen UNICEF India's institutional position on childcare, align with country and strategic plans, and support structured engagement with government, private sector, and NGO partners.
Responsibilities
Develop National Policy Guidelines on childcare as a core pillar of the care economy, ensuring they are affordable, accessible, quality, and universal. Address these guidelines primarily to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, with the Ministry of Labour and Employment as a secondary client, and other relevant stakeholders. Benchmark minimum standards against global evidence and Indian experience. Map existing childcare models and analyze the uptake of the Palna scheme. Outline financing strategies for childcare services. Create an Operational Blueprint for Palna for UNICEF's internal use, translating the Guidelines into a practical framework. This blueprint will detail requirements for infrastructure, staffing qualifications and ratios, funding sources, curriculum, group sizes, and engagement strategies with ministries and partners. Support the establishment of a Palna crèche in a state where the scheme has not yet taken off to demonstrate a proof of concept. Ensure these outputs align with UNICEF India's Country Programme Document (2023–2027), the UNSDCF for India, and UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 commitments. Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and engage with senior government officials throughout the process. Synthesize complex evidence into accessible, professionally written documents.
Work Experience
Minimum 10-12 years of progressively responsible experience in care economy policy design, early childhood development, or women’s economic empowerment. Demonstrated experience producing high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs, or strategy documents for a UN agency, Government, or major development organization.
Skills
Care economy policy design, Early childhood development, Women's economic empowerment, Analytical report writing, Policy brief development, Strategy document creation, Government engagement, Stakeholder consultation, Understanding of Indian childcare landscape, Familiarity with relevant schemes (ICDS, Palna, PMMVY, GPDP), Familiarity with key ministries (MoWCD, MoLE, MoHUA), Facilitation skills