TERMS OF REFERENCE

Research Consultant – Childcare Scoping Study, Mozambique

RDPI Background                                                                     

The Early Childhood Development Network (RDPI) is a Mozambican Non-Governmental Organization comprised of over sixty national and international institutions that implement programs throughout the country.

Their vision is to see strong multi-sectoral collaborations and partnerships established to promote early childhood development in Mozambique so that all children are safe, healthy, well-nourished, and happy.

RDPI focuses on three strategic pillars: i. Evidence-based advocacy and lobbying to influence public policies and budgets; ii. Organizational strengthening of members and the Secretariat to ensure the program’s sustainability; and iii. Improvement of coordination and monitoring to generate multi-sectoral impacts.

1. Background

Access to affordable, quality childcare is a critical enabler of children’s development, women’s economic participation, and broader social and economic outcomes. In Mozambique, childcare services remain limited, fragmented, and uneven in quality, particularly for low-income and rural populations. Less than 40% of children aged 2–4 are developmentally on track, and childcare as a distinct system – especially for children aged 0–3 – remains significantly underdeveloped.

Commissioning Partners

GSF, AfECN, and RDPI are jointly commissioning this scoping study to generate high-quality, actionable evidence to inform programme design, investment strategies, and policy engagement to strengthen childcare systems in Mozambique.

Global Schools Forum (GSF) is a collaborative community of non-state organisations working to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged children in low- and middle-income countries. GSF works with 200+ member organisations across 70+ countries, collectively running or supporting over 1.38 million schools and centres. GSF is leading programme coordination and study oversight.

The Africa Early Childhood Network (AfECN) is a pan-African platform championing excellence and collaboration in ECD across the continent. It brings together civil society, academia, government, and the private sector to influence policy and practice, strengthen partnerships, and share knowledge in ECD. AfECN provides regional technical guidance and stakeholder access for this study.

Rede para o Desenvolvimento da Primeira Infância (RDPI) is a Mozambican network dedicated to advancing early childhood development through advocacy, knowledge-sharing, and multi-sectoral collaboration. RDPI brings together civil society, government agencies, researchers, and development partners working on ECD across Mozambique. As the in-country partner, RDPI leads local stakeholder facilitation and contextual guidance.

Strategic Fit

This study is a foundational piece of evidence that will directly inform the design of  forthcoming childcare programmes in Mozambique. Findings will feed into investment decisions, partnership strategies, and policy engagement at national level. The study is expected to go beyond descriptive mapping to provide forward-looking, strategic insights that can guide scalable interventions aligned with national priorities.

2. Purpose and Scope

The study will deliver a comprehensive, systems-level analysis of childcare in Mozambique. Specifically, it will:

• Map the current childcare landscape – key actors across government, non-state providers, funders, and ecosystem partners
• Surface service delivery models, promising innovations, and practices with potential for scale
• Identify systemic gaps, constraints, and bottlenecks across policies, access, quality, workforce, financing, and governance
• Analyse drivers of these challenges, including socio-economic, institutional, and cultural factors
• Assess the needs and growth constraints of non-state childcare providers
• Identify enabling conditions and opportunities for multi-stakeholder partnerships
• Generate practical, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen provision, quality, and equitable access

The consultant will propose the detailed methodology in the Inception Report. The following provides indicative guidance on scope and approach.

3. Methodology Guidance

Geographic Scope

The study should cover both urban and rural contexts representing different geographic, economic, and demographic profiles. The consultant should justify the final selection in the Inception Report.

Stakeholder Engagement

Primary data collection should include key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).

Ethical Clearance and Safeguarding

The consultant is responsible for ensuring the study is conducted in accordance with ethical research standards. This includes:

• Obtaining any required institutional or national ethical clearance prior to primary data collection
• Ensuring informed consent from all research participants
• Anonymising data appropriately and managing data securely
• Applying child safeguarding principles throughout, including when conducting research in or near childcare settings

The consultant should confirm their approach to ethics and safeguarding in the Inception Report.

Language

Primary data collection will primarily be conducted in Portuguese and/or local languages as appropriate. The consultant must have working proficiency in Portuguese. All written deliverables should be submitted in English; the commissioning partners may request executive summaries in Portuguese.

3. Responsibilities

A. Study Design and Planning

• Lead the overall design and execution of the study, including refining the methodology, analytical framework, and workplan

B. Data Collection and Ecosystem Mapping

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant policies, literature, and existing data on childcare and ECD in Mozambique
• Map key stakeholders across government, non-state actors, private sector, and development partners
• Design and implement primary data collection: key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder consultations

C. Analysis and Insights

• Analyse the childcare ecosystem across service provision, workforce, financing, quality, governance, and systems integration
• Identify and document promising models and innovations with potential for scale
• Synthesise findings into structured insights highlighting key gaps, opportunities, and priorities for action

D. Validation, Recommendations, and Dissemination

• Facilitate stakeholder validation workshops to test findings and gather feedback
• Develop evidence-based recommendations to inform programme design, policy engagement, and investment strategies
• Produce high-quality deliverables tailored to different audiences

4. Key Deliverables

6. Governance and Oversight

Reporting Line

The consultant will report day-to-day to the Executive Director, who serves as the primary point of contact for all contractual and technical matters.

Technical Steering

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprising representatives from GSF, AfECN, and RDPI will provide strategic oversight of the study. The TAG will review and approve the Inception Report and Final Report, and will participate in the validation workshop. The Programme Lead will coordinate TAG feedback and communicate consolidated comments to the consultant; the consultant should not be required to manage separate review processes with each partner.

Approval Process

The commissioning partners will review each deliverable and provide written feedback within 10 working days. The consultant should incorporate feedback and resubmit within 5 working days. Final approval for each deliverable rests with the Programme Lead in consultation with the TAG.

5. Person Specification

• Demonstrated experience in childcare, early childhood development, or the care economy
• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa; preference for Mozambique or Lusophone contexts
• Proven ability to translate research findings into practical, actionable recommendations
• Familiarity with scaling social innovations and market- or community-based service delivery
• Strong research and analytical skills; track record of high-quality reports, briefs, and knowledge products
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong written English; ability to produce clear, structured outputs
• 15 years’ experience in research, evaluation, or advisory roles

6. How to Apply

Please submit the following to Rede para o Desenvolvimento da Primeira Infância (RDPI) via email

1. CV
2. Technical Proposal (approach and methodology, max. 5 pages)
3. Financial Proposal (daily rate and estimated level of effort)
4. Two examples of relevant work (reports, tools, or frameworks)

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a written assessment followed by interviews. For reasonable adjustments during the process, contact: Rede para o Desenvolvimento da Primeira Infância (RDPI) via email

GSF, AfECN and RDPI are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive process. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of race, age, disability, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith.

COMO CANDIDATAR-SE?

Os candidatos deverão submeter as Propostas em dois idiomas (Português e Inglês) dentro do prazo estabelecido pela RDPI para o seguinte endereço electrónico: candidaturas@rededpi.org.mz, até o dia 07 de Agosto de 2026.