Individual consultancy for childcare policy reform

About the Organization

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.

Job Description/Responsibilities

UNICEF India’s Country Programme Document (2023–2027) commits to strengthening child-sensitive social protection systems, advancing early childhood development, and supporting policies that reduce gender inequalities. The UNSDCF for India identifies social protection and human capital development as priority areas for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Looking ahead, UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 places care systems and social protection at the heart of its global agenda, emphasizing integrated approaches that link nutrition, learning, protection, and women’s empowerment. Childcare reform sits at the intersection of these commitments: it directly advances multiple child rights domains while positioning UNICEF as a credible partner in shaping India’s care economy. The ToR also aligns with SPSP approved workplan commitments (Act#5) providing technical support to MoWCD in drafting national childcare policy guidelines—will strengthen inter ministerial coordination and ensure adherence to minimum protocols.

This consultancy will therefore deliver two technical outputs:

• National Policy Guidelines on childcare as a core pillar of the care economy, focusing on affordable, accessible, quality and universal childcare. The Guidelines will be addressed primarily to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, with the Ministry of Labour and Employment as a secondary client, and other relevant stakeholders. They will benchmark minimum standards against global evidence and Indian experience, map existing models, analyse the uneven uptake of the Palna scheme, and outline financing strategies.
• Operational Blueprint for Palna, for UNICEF’s internal use, translating the Guidelines into a practical framework. This will cover infrastructure, staffing qualifications and ratios, funding sources, curriculum, group sizes, and engagement strategies with ministries and partners. The Blueprint will enable UNICEF to demonstrate a proof of concept by supporting the establishment of a Palna crèche in a state where the scheme has not yet taken off.

Together, these outputs will give UNICEF India a unified institutional position on childcare across SPSP and the Nutrition Network, align with CPD, UNSDCF and Strategic Plan 2026–2029 commitments, and support structured engagement with government, private sector and NGO partners.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or above) in Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field. Specialisation and record of research in the care economy is preferred.
• Work Experience: Minimum 10-12 years of progressively responsible experience in care economy policy design, early childhood development, or women’s economic empowerment
• Language Requirements: Hindi and English
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Demonstrated experience of producing high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs or strategy documents for a UN agency, Government or major development organisation, including work with governments, government schemes and key ministries
• Proven familiarity with India’s child care landscape, including relevant schemes (ICDS, Palna, PMMVY, GPDP) and key ministries (MoWCD, MoLE, MoHUA).
• Demonstrated understanding of care economy-child care linkages and integrated service delivery.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and engaging with senior government officials.
• Strong analytical writing and facilitation skills; ability to synthesise complex evidence into accessible, professionally written documents.
• Prior experience working with or for UNICEF or a UN agency in India is an advantage.
• Desirables: Extensive experience in care economy-with expertise on ECD

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