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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. 

For every child, protection from any harm. 

The Government of Montenegro has placed the rights of the child high on its agenda. Its efforts in aligning policy and legislation framework with international standards, including the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention) in 2010. In 2011, the Committee of the Parties to the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Committee) was established as a provision for the Lanzarote Convention and monitors its implementation. In 2015, the Barnahus (Children’s House) model was recognised by the Lanzarote Committee as a good practice example for a child-friendly multidisciplinary response to child sexual abuse.

The protection of children from violence is one of key priorities within the country’s EU accession process and the pursuit of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The implementation of the recently adopted Strategy on Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence (2025-2029) which envisaged introducing the Barnahus model is one of the priorities of Montenegro's program of accession to the EU 2024-2027, under the Chapter 23. Moreover, strengthening the system of protection of children from violence will contribute to meeting the closing benchmark for Chapter 23 related to fundamental rights - Montenegro protects fundamental rights both in law and in practice and is fully prepared to implement the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and other relevant EU acquis upon accession.  

The Government has already taken proactive steps towards a more effective child protection framework by undertaking a number of legislative and policy interventions and strengthening the social and child protection and justice systems to better respond to the needs of children victims and witnesses of crimes.

In respect of Montenegro’s commitments under the Lanzarote Convention, as well as under the European Union accession process, the Government has already taken steps towards establishing a concrete integrated response mechanism for combating violence against children i.e. the Barnahus model service, the Barnahus unique approach brings together all relevant services under one roof to avoid the child re-victimization and provide every child with a coordinated and effective response that has a legal standing. Its core purpose is to coordinate parallel criminal and child welfare investigations and provide support services for child victims and witnesses of violence in a child-friendly and safe environment.

With support of UNICEF and Council of Europe, the Feasibility Study for establishment of the service was conducted. In addition, the Government announced the introduction of the Barnahus service at the regional conference “Elevating Excellence: Uniting for Effective Child Protection with the Barnahus Model” hosted in Podgorica by the Government, with support of UNICEF, Council of Europe and the EU. Finally, the Government adopted the Pledge on Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence in February 2025 committing to establish the Barnahus-model service as comprehensive one-stop-shop approach for children’s victims of severe cases of violence, including cases of sexual exploitation and abuse by 2027.  The lead institution is the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family care and Demography in coordination with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions.

Given the above, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography has already established the cross-sectoral Technical Working Group for establishing the Barnahus whose next steps are developing the national standards for the Barnahus service to be adopted by the Government of Montenegro. 

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Government of Montenegro in strengthening the country’s response to the most severe forms of violence against children by establishing the Barnahus model service based on best European practices.

The objective of the consultancy is to develop national standards with a roadmap for establishing the Barnahus model service and provide support to the cross-sectoral Working Group lead by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography.

The consultant is expected to provide support to the cross-sectoral Working Group established by the Government, led by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography in developing the national standards for the Barnahus in Montenegro. This will be done through the process of developing the national standards for establishing Barnahus which will include setting out a framework for the organisation and operational procedures of Barnahus from the structural, operational and financial aspect. This will include, but not limited to: implementing parties, target group, organisational structure, roles and responsibilities of the implementing parties, forensic interviews, finance and resource allocation, venue, training and competence building and evaluation - based on the internationally recognised Barnahus Quality Standards. The Guidelines will aslo include a roadmap to propose specific actions that support progress towards operating the Barnahus including in the areas of law, policy and procedures, awareness and competence, location and equipment, as well as budget and financial allocation. The consultant is expected to support the Working Group by providing comparative experiences from other EU countries and guidance on how to apply best practices and adapt them to Montenegro’s context.  

Given the above, UNICEF Montenegro is seeking a consultant to support the Government of Montenegro in strengthening the country’s response to the most severe forms of violence against children by establishing the Barnahus model service.

The International Consultant is expected to perform tasks under the direct supervision of UNICEF Child Protection Officer.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, law or other relevant fields.
• Master’s or equivalent diploma will be considered as an advantage.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of experience in drafting relevant policy papers and standards in the areas of child-friendly justice and child protection, in particular in the area of violence against children and exploitation.
• Prior work experience in conducting legislation, policy and institutional framework analysis, research, reviews including drafting recommendations in the area of child protection would be an asset.

• Knowledge of UN and CoE child-friendly justice principles and guiding standards.
• Knowledge of the context of Montenegro in particular legal and institutional framework relevant to child protection and application of child-friendly justice standards will be considered as an advantage. 
• Previous work experience with UN/UNICEF or other international organization will be considered as an advantage. 

Language:

• Excellent command of English; knowledge of Montenegrin will be considered an asset.

Other:

• Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills.
• Ability to work with different stakeholders.
• Demonstrates tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion.
• Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Payment schedule:

The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

Mandatory e-learning:

Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.

1. Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF

2. Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (PSEAA)

3. Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)

Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete the following course before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF.

• BSAFE security training

Any consultant or individual contractor who is issued a UNICEF email address must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract:

• Fraud Awareness

• Information Awareness Security Course (only for consultants/individual contractors with a UNICEF email address)

The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: Summary of Mandatory Learning for UNICEF Staff .

Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.

Selection methodology:

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:

A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 70

1.   Technical Criteria 

 Interview assessment -70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points

•    Education: 20 points

•    Previous experience and submitted an example of previous relevant work: 20 points

•    Technical questions at the interview: 30 points

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation.

B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal - Maximum points: 30

The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal consisting of a professional fee only for the services to be provided.

•    Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.