Deadline: 08-Dec-2025

UNICEF is inviting proposals to expand and strengthen Early Childhood Development (ECD) services across Pakistan, with a primary focus on Punjab and additional support across KP, Baluchistan, GB, AJK, and ICT. The initiative, part of the 2025–2027 Country Programme, aims to build multisectoral systems that ensure children aged 0–8 receive equitable, high-quality, and gender-responsive care. Applicants must support government capacity, policy integration, evidence generation, and national coordination through a holistic Nurturing Care Framework.

UNICEF Call for Proposals: Strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) Systems in Pakistan

Overview

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking partners to support a major initiative to enhance Early Childhood Development services in Pakistan. The effort focuses heavily on Punjab, with complementary activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and the Islamabad Capital Territory.

This initiative operates under the 2025–2027 UNICEF Country Programme, prioritizing equitable access to integrated, gender-responsive ECD services for vulnerable children, adolescents, and women.

Programme Goal

To build a robust, multisectoral, and inclusive ECD ecosystem in Pakistan by strengthening government capacity, aligning policies and systems, and ensuring that all children aged 0–8 receive nurturing, safe, and developmentally appropriate care.

Why This Initiative Matters

Early Childhood Development is a critical foundation for lifelong health, learning, and well-being. Pakistan’s diverse regions face significant disparities in access to early learning, nutrition, health services, child protection, and supportive family environments.

This UNICEF initiative aims to:

• Promote equitable and gender-responsive ECD systems

• Strengthen government institutional capacity

• Integrate ECD principles into national curricula and programmes

• Advance a unified, multisectoral approach guided by the Nurturing Care Framework

• Increase evidence generation and replication of effective models

• Improve coordination across health, nutrition, education, protection, and WASH sectors

Building an integrated ECD system allows Pakistan to support its youngest citizens during the most important developmental window—birth to age 8.

Key Focus Areas

1. Strengthening Government Technical and Institutional Capacity

Applicants are expected to support provincial and regional authorities in:

• Designing comprehensive ECD policies and strategies

• Managing, monitoring, and scaling integrated ECD services

• Applying global standards and best practices

• Improving coordination across relevant sectors (health, nutrition, education, child protection, social welfare)

Capacity development will directly enhance provincial ownership and long-term sustainability of ECD services.

2. Advancing a Multisectoral, Holistic ECD Model

The initiative is grounded in the Nurturing Care Framework, which emphasizes:

• Good health

• Adequate nutrition

• Responsive caregiving

• Early learning

• Safety and security

Partners must help embed this model across provincial programmes, service delivery systems, and government planning processes.

3. Integrating ECD into Teaching Curricula and Government Programmes

Applicants will:

• Support harmonization of ECD concepts across sectors

• Work with teacher training institutions and curriculum bodies

• Promote inclusive and culturally relevant ECD approaches

• Strengthen institutional alignment through policy mapping and joint planning

This ensures that ECD principles are consistently applied in classrooms, community centers, and government programs.

4. National Coordination, Advocacy, and Knowledge Sharing

The initiative requires partners to facilitate a shared national understanding of ECD through:

• High-level policy dialogues

• Annual international ECD conferences

• Technical working groups

• Regular online learning sessions and webinars

These platforms build alignment across ministries, development partners, researchers, and frontline practitioners.

5. Evidence Generation and Knowledge Strengthening

Applicants will contribute to:

• Operational research

• Process evaluations

• Documentation of promising practices

• Quality assurance for Nurturing Care Centers of Excellence

• Inter-provincial learning exchanges

Insights generated will guide scaling, adaptation, and continuous improvement of ECD services nationwide.

How the Initiative Works: Core Deliverables

Partners must submit a clear, actionable plan describing:

1. A Detailed Log Frame

Using UNICEF’s standard template, the log frame must include:

• Goals and outcomes

• Outputs and activities

• Indicators and verification sources

• Risks, assumptions, and mitigation strategies

2. Implementation Methodology

Applicants should outline:

• Technical approach

• Capacity-building strategies

• Tools and resources required

• Geographical focus areas

• Mechanisms for government engagement

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan

Including:

• Baseline assessment methods

• Reporting frameworks

• Learning integration

• Evidence-sharing commitments

4. Governance and Coordination Plan

Defining:

• How sectors will work together

• How alignment will be achieved across provinces

• How stakeholders will collaborate with UNICEF and government bodies

Who Is Eligible?

While UNICEF will provide full eligibility details in the official solicitation, partners typically include:

• NGOs and INGOs

• Research institutions

• Universities

• Social development organizations

• Organizations experienced in ECD system strengthening

• Policy and governance experts

• Capacity-building institutions

Applicants must demonstrate prior experience with multisectoral programs, government coordination, and evidence-driven policy work.

Common Challenges and Tips for Success

• Underestimating multisectoral coordination needs: Strong alignment across ministries is essential.

• Weak log frames: UNICEF requires precise indicators, risk analysis, and monitoring plans.

• Insufficient ECD technical expertise: Proposals must demonstrate strong grounding in the Nurturing Care Framework.

• Lack of provincial engagement: Local government leadership is central to system-level results.

• Limited evidence strategies: The initiative strongly prioritizes operational research and knowledge generation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What regions does the initiative focus on?

Primary focus is Punjab, with additional support in KP, Baluchistan, GB, AJK, and ICT.

2. What is the core goal of the programme?

To strengthen systems that deliver high-quality, equitable, and integrated ECD services for children aged 0–8.

3. What framework guides the initiative?

The Nurturing Care Framework, which promotes multisectoral and holistic ECD.

4. Are partners expected to engage in policy work?

Yes. Applicants will support policy dialogue, curriculum harmonization, coordination platforms, and national advocacy.

5. Is evidence generation part of the assignment?

Yes. Partners must contribute to operational research, evaluations, and knowledge strengthening.

6. What documents are required?

A detailed log frame aligned with UNICEF templates, plus methodology, work plan, and MEL components.

7. Who are the primary beneficiaries?

Children aged 0–8, along with their families, caregivers, and service providers.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s call for proposals presents a significant opportunity to transform Early Childhood Development systems across Pakistan. By strengthening government capacity, advancing multisectoral coordination, improving curricula, and generating evidence-driven insights, this initiative will support the foundational development of millions of children. Partners with strong technical expertise and a commitment to the Nurturing Care Framework will play a vital role in shaping Pakistan’s long-term ECD landscape.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.