Individual Consultancy to Design a Gender-Transformative Childcare Model, Nairobi at UNICEF

Key Tasks:


Literature Review and Contextual Analysis
Stakeholder Engagement:
Risk Assessment and Safeguards
Design of the Childcare Model


In carrying out the above tasks, the Consultant will integrate Feminist and Gender Frameworks, e.g. by applying the 5R model (Recognise unpaid care as work; Reduce time spent on it through services; Redistribute responsibilities to males/households; Reward care providers via incentives; Represent caregivers in decision-making) to design gender-responsive elements. The work including proposals should align with UNICEF's Gender Policy 2021-2030 and Action Plan 2026-2029, emphasising targeted investments in adolescent girls' health, nutrition, education, skills, and protection, while promoting norms change and male involvement.

Minimum requirements:

Work Experience:


Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in childcare, early childhood development, social protection, gender programming, child rights, public policy, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, evaluation, or strengthening of childcare, parenting, family support, or community-based care programmes.
Strong understanding of childcare systems, care economy, unpaid care work, nurturing care, and child wellbeing frameworks.
Experience integrating childcare interventions within social protection, education, health, livelihoods, or gender equality programmes. Demonstrated experience applying gender-transformative, disability-inclusive, and child rights-based approaches in programme design and implementation.
Experience facilitating participatory research, co-creation, and stakeholder engagement processes involving caregivers, adolescents, and communities.


Language Requirements:


English and Kiswahili


Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:


Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Social Policy, Development studies, Child Development, Public Policy, or related field.
Experience in designing gender-responsive social protection or childcare programmes or feminist economics or unpaid care work, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
Experience working with adolescent populations, including adolescent mothers and disability-inclusive programming.
Strong analytical, research, and facilitation skills.
Familiarity with Kenyan social protection system is an asset.
Excellent communication skills; ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including males in gender dialogues.
Experience working with UNICEF, UN agencies, or similar organizations is an asset.
Experience in East Africa or comparable contexts is strongly preferred.


Desirables:


Experience in designing community-based childcare models and care services.
Experience integrating childcare within social protection, education, health, or livelihoods programmes.
Experience working with adolescent mothers, young caregivers, and marginalized populations, including persons with disabilities.
Experience developing costing frameworks, investment cases, financing strategies, or scale-up roadmaps for social services.


Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):


An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial Proposal Template TMC0004762.xlsx


A detailed technical proposal not exceeding 20 pages (excluding annexes, e.g. for CVs):


Understanding of assignment
Proposed methodology/ approach to assignment
Evidence of meeting the required qualifications (this may include links to or annexes of relevant past work and CVs of all consultants engaged as annexes)
Draft workplan
Proposed budget


Deadline: 31 Aug 2026 E. Africa Standard Time