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.
The Strategy for the Development of Education 2030 in the Republic of Serbia aims to ensure quality education that allows every child, youth and adult to achieve their full potential. Strengthening an inclusive approach to education is one of the strategic priorities in the Republic of Serbia. The Ministry of Education (MoE) continuously works on improving policies that contribute to openness, fairness and accessibility of education, in accordance with ratified international agreements, among which the most important are the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Dedicated efforts are being made to enhance existing mechanisms and establish new ones to support children from vulnerable groups, with a special care for children and students with disabilities. This approach includes equipping the Resource Centres (RC) with high-tech Assistive Technology (AT) – social robots – as a new tool for enhancement of inclusive education of children with disabilities, accompanied by software for its usage in Serbian language and training of trainers who would train and support the RC staff to support teachers in using humanoid robots in their classrooms.
Work Assignment Overview:
The consultant will provide direct support to the MoE in usage of AT and social robotics in Serbian schools, supported by the Resource Centres. The assignment will consist of several tasks which are directly connected with the usage of AT and humanoid robots in teaching and learning, including: support to the training of the RC staff, upgrading mentoring program and development of a classroom observation tool, developing a protocol for usage of robots in the classroom, and providing mentoring and supervision.
Duration of the assignment: June – December 2025 (part-time, remote)
Task description:
Task 1: Quality assurance and supervision of the dissemination/roll-out of the capacity building for the Resource Centers on social robotics and AT:
- Conduct the online session for trainers/mentors, following up on the ToT realized in 2024,
- Upgrade the mentoring program developed for the RCs for the assessment and provision of AT,
- Conduct supervisory sessions with trainers and mentors, including an onsite session with the RCs (one visit to Belgrade, Serbia, for a 2-day session).
Deliverable 1:
- Online session concept, delivery of session and report
- Mentoring concept and report
- Report on supervision implementation with recommendations for further support needed
Timeline: June to December 2025
Task 2: Support to the MoE in monitoring the usage of humanoid robots in mainstream schools:
- Develop the Protocol for utilization of humanoid robot in mainstream schools,
- Develop a draft of the Classroom Observation Tool for the assessment of effectiveness and benefits of the utilization of AT and social robots in the classroom (in collaboration with schools),
- Finalize the Classroom Observation Tool after testing and feedback (testing, revision after testing in consultation with relevant institutions).
Deliverable 2:
- Protocol for utilization of humanoid robots
- Classroom Observation Tool
Timeline: June to December 2025
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
- PhD in human sciences, preferably education, pedagogy, psychology, sociology, or other humanities.
- Minimum 5 years of expertise and experience in the area of disability, AT in education, social robotics, ICT and AT innovation, related services and AT research.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in projects related to inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in education.
- Participation in regional/international expert groups and networks, initiatives related to AT.
- Previous experience in development of capacity building program for multiple stakeholders from various institutions and sectors related to inclusion/AT.
- Experience in ICT/AT application development is an asset.
- Ability to work in multi-cultural settings.
- Good communication and facilitation skills.
- Advanced knowledge of English language.
- Knowledge of Serbian education system and Resource centre mechanism will be considered as an asset.
- Knowledge of the UN/UNICEF mandate and UN rules/procedures will be considered as an asset.
How to apply:
The application must include a financial proposal in USD as a separate document, providing a separate fee for each deliverable:
- Deliverable 1 (including the cost of one travel to Belgrade, Serbia, and 2 days stay),
- Deliverable 2.
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.
