Deadline: 21-Jul-2025
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting expressions of interest from local NGOs in Rwanda to support and strengthen its parenting education program through Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers. The initiative focuses on transforming gender norms through edutainment and increasing men’s engagement in positive parenting.
The goal is to improve the overall quality of life in Rwanda by ensuring family support and positive parenting education from the village level to national systems. Organizations working in gender-transformative approaches and developing innovative strategies for male involvement in parenting are especially encouraged to apply.
UNICEF is prioritizing NGOs with expertise in communication for development, engaging men and boys, research and data analysis, and community engagement. Other valued specializations include digital interventions like radio and mobile apps, the use of edutainment for behavior change, and partnerships with government bodies like MIGEPROF and NCDA for system strengthening.
The project has two core pillars: using audio-visual tools and apps like Itetero and Akure in edutainment-driven learning and promoting gender transformation through men’s active engagement in parenting via targeted ECD centers.
Expected outcomes include equipping at least 50 ECD centers with digital learning tools, setting up 50 listening clubs for parents and caregivers, and training 100 ECD caregivers in digital literacy. The initiative aims to reach 1,000 parents with digital content and develop 25 ECD centers as gender-transformative hubs for male parenting champions. Sessions co-led by 100 trained male champions are expected to reach at least 50,000 parents.
Monitoring and evaluation activities will include two KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices) assessments, along with a midline review to track behavioral progress. The program also plans to document at least 12 stories of change and produce four learning briefs per year. Advocacy materials highlighting successful models will be developed and shared with government and partners, both locally and internationally.
The geographic focus of this project is in the Southern region of Rwanda.
UNICEF will assess applicants based on several criteria:
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Sector expertise and experience (40%), with a minimum of 3 years in implementing gender-transformative and male-engagement programs, particularly in ECD.
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Organizational capacity (30%), including the ability to deliver national programs and technical proficiency.
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Partner contribution (10%), such as in-kind support or staffing.
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Experience with government systems (10%) related to gender, youth, and behavioral change.
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Experience with UN or international partners (5%), and
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Gender-balanced leadership (5%) within the organization.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
