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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, Child Protection

How can you make a difference? 

In general, the legal framework on the rights of the child in North Macedonia complies with international standards, and the legislative reform is ongoing to ensure further improvement and adherence. The new Law on Justice for children has been adopted in 2024, and significant revisions of the Criminal Code, the Law on Civil Registry and the Law on Execution of Sanctions have been made over the past few years. Additional revisions of the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Law are ongoing, also aimed at protecting children and aligning the provisions with international standards.
The new Justice for Children Law encompasses all relevant issues pertaining to the justice for children system in the country and ensures that the best interest of the child principle is guiding all decisions pertinent to children in contact with the justice system whether they are in conflict or in contact with the law. The restorative justice approach has also been incorporated as an overall guiding approach, ensuring that a child’s right to be heard is actively implemented and seeking to achieve restorative outcomes that promote the child’s rehabilitation and reintegration.
Whilst there has been progress in terms of improving the legal framework, its implementation should be further enabled and supported. To ensure the implementation of the aforementioned laws, the revision and development of suitable by-laws is essential, so that professionals can have adequate guidance and tools to refer to.
To this end, UNICEF Skopje is seeking national consultant/s to support the revision and development of the by-laws in line with international and European standards. Moreover, the consultant will develop materials to support the advocacy and awareness raising efforts throughout the revision process. The assignment will be conducted through a participatory process with involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

Purpose and objectives of the Individual Consultancy
UNICEF is seeking to engage national consultant with experience and knowledge of the justice for children system in the country, child rights, international standards related to justice for children, and particular experience in legislative revisions related to justice for children. The consultant will provide technical assistance to:
i. Assess the need for revision and development of by-laws, in consultation with key national stakeholders. This should include but not limited to the following matters: protection of child victims, procedural protection, implementation of restorative justice practices, mediation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
ii. Develop by-laws for the implementation of the Law on Justice for children, the Law on Execution of Sanction, and other laws if identified under the previous task. The by-laws should be developed as per the national practice and in direct communication and consultation with Ministry representatives, professionals and other key stakeholders.
iii. Develop short compelling materials, based on the developed by-laws, that can be used for awareness raising and dissemination purposes.

Deliverables and timeframe:

Work Assignments Overview (1): In consultation with national key stakeholders assess the legal and policy framework regulating justice for children and the need for revision and development of by-laws. This should include but not limited to the following matters: protection of child victims, procedural protection, implementation of restorative justice practices, mediation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Deliverables/Outputs (1): 
- Conduct desk review of the national legal and policy framework and identify the need for the development of by-laws.
- Organize at least three meetings with professionals, ministry representatives, practitioners, CSO representatives
- Organize at least three meetings with the Legal Working Groups working on the pertinent laws.

Timeframe: 30 April 2025

Work Assignments Overview (2): Develop by-laws for the implementation of the Law on Justice for children, the Law on Execution of Sanction, and other laws if identified under the previous task. The by-laws should be developed as per the national practice and in direct communication and consultation with Ministry representatives, professionals and other key stakeholders.

Deliverables/Output:

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

- A Master University degree in law. Exceptions can be made for professionals having a degree in another field but with substantive professional experience with legal revisions. Advanced degree is considered as an asset;
- At least 10 years of experience and expertise in the area of justice for children and legislative reforms. Previous contribution in the development of justice policy and legislative framework is considered an asset;
- Demonstrated mastery of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant international standards in the area of justice and child protection;
- Previous work experience with UNICEF will be considered as an advantage;
- Excellent command of English language;
- Strong advocacy, facilitation and communication skills;
- Excellent writing skills;
- Prior experience working with the UN system and/or international development agencies is an asset.

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.