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, live, growth and optimal development.
Background and Context
Social cohesion in Montenegro has become increasingly fragile in recent years, as noted in one of the recent UNCT Results Report 2020 Montenegro*. The document further explains that it is influenced by a low degree of trust in institutions and the perception of limited equality of treatment. Incidents of hate speech have also been noted, as well as sporadic incidents of violence. In addition, the social gap among children and young people based on nationality, religion, social status, etc. is evident and with the rise of peer violence among both elementary and high school students represent a great concern of teachers, parents and decision makers.
The Parliament of Montenegro, as the highest representative institution in the country, has a special role in addressing the above-mentioned issues, not just by promoting an equal and cohesive society, but also by educating citizens on these values, especially children and youth. Its overall policies should echo positive social behaviours, embrace diversity, as well as positive social and public narrative. In addition, educating the public about these values, as well as on peaceful conflict resolutions, prevention and elimination of hate speech, divisive narratives and violence in its various forms, should be an essential part of its mission.
The Parliament of Montenegro has invested significant efforts throughout the recent years in educating children and young people on different issues falling under the scope of civic education. Through its educational programs, the Parliament’s Education Centre has worked intensively on bringing children and young population closer to the institution of Parliament, as well as on familiarizing them with the concepts of democracy, human and children rights and European union.
The Education Centre of the Parliament of Montenegro is committed to the development of innovative ways to encourage children and youth to enquire and learn about the structure of the society, the dynamics of the democratic decision-making, government institutions, as well as about their own role, rights, and responsibilities. The assumption is that once children and young people learn, through engaging, creative, and participatory manner, they can later bring about the positive changes in their communities. The Education Centre has carried out several education programs aimed at Montenegro’s children and youth population such as Democracy workshops “Barbara Prammer” and Youth Parliament (Simulation of the work of Parliament).
Since 2012, Democracy Workshops Programme has had the aim of teaching children and youth aged 8-15 years (from Montenegrin Primary Schools) on different civic education topics, as well as empowering them with skills for making different media product and reporting on topics discussed during the workshop. Within four-hour workshops within three different modules, children learn about 1) democracy, parliament, elections, 2) EU institutions, and 3) human and children rights, in a very interactive and creative manner carefully educated and guided by Parliament’s qualified trainers. Through the module of human rights, participants learn about the international human rights instruments, multiculturalism, non-discrimination, gender roles, identity, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The UNICEF supported project Enhancing citizens’ trust in institutions and building resilient communities aims to strengthen the capacities of the Educational Centre’s staff to deliver age, gender- and conflict-sensitive education modules for children and young people aimed at empowering and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to foster social cohesion and contribute to building a society of trust and shared values of peace, prosperity and development, capable of preventing hate speech, divisive narratives and violence. A specific module on social cohesion will be developed, piloted, and evaluated in order to be integrated into the regular curriculum of the Educational Centre of the Parliament. In this way children, adolescents and young people will be equipped with the skills and capacities to take a proactive role and initiate public and parliamentary dialogue at the national and local levels around challenging topics which are triggering societal polarization and tensions and will act as a role model for parliamentary members and other duty barriers in society in fostering social cohesion and overcoming societal polarization.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Additionally, in UN Common Country Analysis Update 2023 (p. 44-45) it is stated that: 'Discrimination and hate speech continue to be prevalent. Despite the lack of comprehensive data collection by the authorities on the phenomenon, hate speech was frequent. There were regular incidents of discriminatory and hate speech by public officials, media, and citizens against women in public life, in particular women politicians; the only female candidate at the Presidential elections required police protection and received threats over social networks during the campaign. The latest nationally representative perception survey by CEDEM found that hate speech is believed to come mostly from politicians and to occur online, though also to be present to a significant extent on TV, in sporting events and in daily conversations, including in schools. It was believed to most pronounced against Roma/Egyptians, followed by women, LGBTIQ persons, the poor, persons with disabilities and political opponents. Less than 10 percent of those who had witnessed hate speech reported the incident. 67 percent of respondents believed that discrimination was present in Montenegro in 2022, 12 percent higher than in 2020, and highest on the ground of
political belief. The new draft anti-discrimination law, prepared in 2022, remained pending adoption in Government by December 2023.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose and Objectives
An expert will be engaged to support developing and piloting a new submodule on social cohesion within the Democracy Workshops’ curriculum on human rights, delivered by the Parliament of Montenegro’s Education Centre. A carefully tailored submodule on social cohesion would complement well the already existing programs carried out by the Education Centre in the human rights domain, but also other programs aimed at bringing the institution of Parliament closer to children and young people. In the pilot phase, at least 5 workshops on this topic will be held, whilst by the end of 2025, at least 10 workshops will be held with approximately 200 scholars taking part. Eventually, the submodule will become an integrated component of the Parliament’s overall program offerings highlighting the strategic approach in expanding its educational initiatives and covering at least 1500 participants yearly throughout several different program.
The consultant will support the process of developing and piloting a new submodule, which will include new, carefully tailored workshops on social cohesion for children and young people. The workshops will be both creative and interactive and will provide the right setting for fostering respect for diversity, empathy, and fairness, while promoting a sense of belonging and trust.
At the same time, the purpose of the consultancy is to increase the trust in Parliament as an institution, but also to raise the interest of children, adolescents, and youth to actively participate in shaping policies and measures that make a society better and more socially cohesive. Long term effect should bring about a deeper understanding of societal structures and dynamics, as well as of children, adolescents and youth rights to participation, their civic duties and responsibilities, while the institution could experience the true value of child and youth participation and engagement.
Methodology of work
In order to develop and pilot the new submodule, we seek to engage an expert on the given topic, who will:
1) design the concept, curricula and methodology of work for the new submodule on social cohesion, in consultation with the Education Centre’s staff;
2) develop materials and tools needed for delivering new workshops within the new submodule on social cohesion;
3) train the Education Centre's trainers and provide them with the guidance, expertise and information specifically in relation to the given topic, equipping them to successfully deliver the new workshops on social cohesion;
4) as well as, provide support during the pilot phase of implementation.
In the pilot phase, at least 5 workshops on this topic will be held, whilst by the end of 2026, at least 10 workshops will be held with approximately 200 scholars taking part. The submodule will become an integrated component of the Parliament’s overall program offerings highlighting the strategic approach in expanding its educational initiatives and covering at least 1500 participants yearly throughout several different programs.
The expert will design the new submodule on social cohesion, following a conceptual approach similar to the existing model of workshops, where scholars gather in an informal setting to explore different aspects of the given topics. The design of the submodule will also allow participants to benefit from teamwork and creating a media product that highlights the topics discussed during the workshop. The workshops will be both creative and interactive and will provide the right setting for fostering respect for diversity, empathy, and fairness, while promoting a sense of belonging and trust.
| Work assignment overview |
| Tasks/Milestone: |
Deliverables/Outputs: |
Timeline: |
|
Design and implement an interactive Democracy Workshops’ module on social cohesion, including:
1) design the concept, curricula and methodology of work for the new submodule on social cohesion, in consultation with the Education Centre’s staff;
2) draft/develop materials and tools needed for delivering new workshops within the new submodule on social cohesion.
|
The concept, curricula and methodology of work for the new submodules on social cohesion developed.
Education materials and tools needed for delivering new workshops within the new submodule on social cohesion drafted/developed.
|
(8 days) By mid-May 2025 |
| 3) train the Education Centre's trainers (app. 10 staff) and provide them with the guidance, expertise and information specifically in relation to the given topic, equipping them to successfully deliver the new workshops on social cohesion. |
Education Centre’s staff equipped with skills and knowledge necessary to deliver workshops on the topic of social cohesion. |
(5 days) By mid-June 2025 |
| Available on-line support to the Parliament during contract duration |
On-line support available |
(8 days) By December 10th 2025 |
| Monitor and guide the Democracy Workshops’ new module during its pilot phase – at least two workshops in Podgorica. |
Monitoring and guidance during at least two days of the pilot phase available. |
(10 days) By 10th November 25th 2025 |
| Write a report on the implemented activities with the recommendations for the further advancement of the module. |
Report on the implemented activities with the recommendations for the further advancement of the module prepared |
(3 days) By December 10th 2025 |
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Law, Political Science or any other social science.
- Master's degree would be considered as an asset.
Experience
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in human rights, including experience in children`s rights
- At least 3 years of experience in work on democracy, interculturale dialogue, social cohesion
- Familiarity with CRC, Agenda 2030, EU accession benchmarks
- Previous work experience with UN/UNICEF or other international organizations will be considered as an advantage.
Language
- Fluency in Montenegrin and English is required.
The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices.
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. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA)
Before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants and Individual Contractors must complete course on General Information Security Awareness Course.
In addition to above, any consultant or individual contractor must complete the following courses no later than 30 days after signature of contract:
2.General Information Security Awareness Course (only for consultants/individual contractors with a UNICEF email address). The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org).
Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.
Selection methodlogy
A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 70
1. Technical Criteria: 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points.
• Education: 20
• Previous experience: 25
• Technical questions at interview: 25
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 as a separate document, consisting of all-inclusive professional fee for the services to be provided. Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].
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.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. 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.
