Development and Delivery of Capacity Building Programme on Public-Private Partnerships in Early Childhood Education and Care
Organizational Context
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. 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.
Job Purpose
UNICEF is seeking a consultant to develop and deliver an introductory capacity building programme on public–private partnerships (PPPs) in early childhood education and care (ECEC), followed by municipal mentoring. The assignment will strengthen public officials’ ability to understand partnership options, assess their relevance to local ECEC needs and identify practical steps for incorporating suitable options into ECEC expansion plans. Partnership approaches in ECEC remain insufficiently explored in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Municipal officials need a practical understanding of how public resources, private providers and other partners may contribute to expanding access, alongside the financing, legal, quality and accountability requirements involved. UNICEF’s existing PPP mapping and analytical resources provide a starting point for a new capacity building package tailored to participating jurisdictions.
Responsibilities
The programme will cover formal PPPs under applicable legislation and broader arrangements, including subsidies, purchase of preschool places and service contracts. It will distinguish their legal and financial characteristics rather than assume that every arrangement involving a private provider constitutes a formal PPP. The intended audience is approximately 40 public officials from four locations included in the Joint UN Programme Accelerating Agenda 2030 through Governance and Sustainable Growth (SDG 2030 BiH). Participants will include municipal staff responsible for economic development, social affairs, education and finance, together with relevant education and finance ministry officials. UNICEF will confirm the participating locations, coordinate nomination of participants and provide logistics support in organizing capacity building sessions. The consultant will analyze applicable BiH legal and institutional arrangements and translate them into clear, jurisdiction-specific guidance for public officials.
Work Experience
At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in PPP and/or public finance, including substantive work on PPP structuring, implementation or regulatory frameworks. Demonstrated experience developing and delivering practical training for public authorities in the areas of PPP and public finance.
Skills
Ability to analyze applicable BiH legal and institutional arrangements, Translate legal and institutional arrangements into clear guidance, Strong ICT skills, MS Office proficiency, Excellent interpersonal skills, Excellent communication skills, Strong facilitation skills, Ability to work independently, Proactive work ethic, Excellent professional writing skills