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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

Childhood vaccination remains a challenge across Europe and Central Asia (ECA). In the post-COVID-19 period, childhood vaccination coverage in Serbia has seen a slight increase; however, it remains below the optimal level required to achieve herd immunity, particularly for measles vaccination. At the same time, breastfeeding rates in the region are the lowest globally. Health workers (nurses, midwives, gynaecologists) at maternity wards and breastfeeding counsellors both within the maternity wards and community play a critical role in supporting new mothers to breastfeed. Anecdotal evidence suggests that health workers at maternity wards and breastfeeding counsellors are sceptical to discuss about vaccination and, most often, are not involved in vaccine promotion at all.

To better understand the drivers of breastfeeding and vaccine promotion behaviours among key health providers in maternity wards, home visiting services and breastfeeding counsellors in Serbia, UNICEF seeks the services of a national consultant to conduct an assessment and provide social and behaviour-related support to Health and Early Childhood Development Program at UNICEF Serbia and UNICEF Regional Office in Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) in identifying psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing breastfeeding and vaccine promotion behaviours among health workers in maternity wards and breastfeeding counsellors in the country. The national consultant will work closely with the UNICEF ECARO consultant.

Duration of the assignment: November – December 2025 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

1. Perform a desk review of the existing qualitative research on the factors influencing breastfeeding and vaccine promotion behaviours among health workers in maternity wards and breastfeeding counsellors in the country.
2. Carry out the piloting of the research tools (research protocol, questionnaires, interview/FGD guides) that have been developed by UNICEF ECARO and its consultant, providing practical feedback to the regional consultant on their clarity, cultural appropriateness, and usability in the local context to inform any final refinements.
3. Coordinate and carry out data collection, coding and analysis of collected data, and prepare a draft report.
4. Develop the report with a summary of the identified barriers and enablers encountered and recommendations for increasing breastfeeding and vaccine promotion in Serbia to be included in the regional final report on the topic.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• At least a master’s degree in social and behavioural sciences, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public health or another relevant technical field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in designing and implementing a variety of data collection tools for mixed-methods data collection, preferably for identifying barriers to desirable health related behaviours such as vaccine uptake and/or breastfeeding.
• Proven experience in writing reports with research findings and actionable recommendations.
• Proven experience in carrying out desk reviews.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Proven experience in carrying out key informant interviews, focus groups and observations.
• Previous work with UN / UNICEF or other international organizations is preferred.
• Fluency in Serbian and English is required.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Task 1 service fee,
2. Task 2 service fee,
3. Task 3 service fee,
4. Task 4 service fee,
5. Daily travel allowance for an overnight stay in Serbia (including accommodation),
6. Daily travel allowance for 8+ hours travel without an overnight stay,
7. Transportation costs per km.

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).  
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a” or “00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.