Current vacancies

Contract Duration – 1.5 years

Working arrangement: Home Based

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

                                                        TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of the consultancy is to support UNICEF Serbia in advancing the social policy and public finance agenda. The

consultancy will be part-time, including part remote work and part office presence.

UNICEF’s current Country Programme Document for Serbia (2026-2030), consistent with government priorities and the

UNICEF Strategic Plan, is to contribute to national efforts to progressively fulfil the rights of all children in Serbia,

especially the most disadvantaged and excluded, and enable them to develop to their full potential in an inclusive and

protective society respectful of their voices. The country programme is focused on: (a) Best start in life for all children;

(b) Better learning and skilling opportunities for all Children, adolescents and youth; and (c) Non-violent and supportive

environment for the safety and psychological wellbeing of all children, adolescents and youth. Social policy, public finance and child rights monitoring ensure evidence generation, monitoring of child rights and public finance.

Serbia’s economy has so far largely sustained the impact of ongoing global conflicts, spiking international energy prices and a slowing global economy, but the effects of new pressures like accelerating inflation are likely to substantially

impact households in the country, especially poor and vulnerable households. With the political priorities still set on economic growth and crisis management, as well as management of regional political turbulence, there is insufficient

attention being given to poverty and achieving equity for the poorest children.

The at-risk-of-poverty rate for the general population in 2024 was at 19.7 per cent, and 21 per cent for children, although inequality in Serbia remains high. Unfortunately, public spending on social assistance is not meeting the needs of the

poorest households with children. Public participation in the budget process remains one of the lowest in the world, and there is limited qualitative assessment and debate about the budget among stakeholders.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  External ToR TMC0001510 2.pdf

Minimum requirements:

• Education:
  • Bachelors degree in a wide range of social and humanistic fields (law, social work, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, etc.).

• Work Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in social protection both internationally and within the Europe and Central Asia

region;

• At least 3 years of expertise and advisory roles in social policy and public finance;

• Advanced analytical and communication skills as evidenced through reports and publications produced;

• Excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of Serbian language is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal  Financial proposal TMC0001510 2.docx

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.