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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.

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Assignment background

Building on the experiences of the UNICEF Croatia CO support to children and families in migrations since 2015, Ukrainian emergency response since February 2022 as well as continuous monitoring of the situation and advocacy efforts, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) of the Swiss Confederation recognised UNICEF’s position and capacity to contribute to the improvement of the situation of children and parents in migrations, including those from Ukraine.

Within the “Supporting protection and integration of children and families in migration in Croatia” project (December 2023 – November 2025) the need for enhancing national capacities to generate and use high-quality, disaggregated data and analysis on unaccompanied children across sectors for policy and programme development was recognised.

The Child Protection Information Management System Assessment conducted in 2023 in the framework of the project “Supporting integration of refugee and migrant children in host EU countries” of UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, provided an overview of the legal framework, outlined the functioning of the information management systems of different stakeholders involved, and identified their strength and weaknesses. The report also informed on the available data, assessed the status of the current information landscape on refugees and migrants, and providing recommendations for enhancement of data quality for better monitoring, evaluation and evidence-based action around the refugee response.

More specifically, the Assessment Report brought a set of recommendations which include (i) harmonization of the temporary unique identifier system to address the difficulties in tracking the same case within the different system; (ii) harmonization of the way that temporary protection (a specific legal status activated for displaced people from Ukraine) is tracked within and throughout the system(s); (iii) capacity building of the staff dealing with either applications or data management; (iv) additional research on the legal grounds to enable data-sharing; (v) strengthening the publicly available statistics; (vi) investing in improving the existent system and engaging all relevant stakeholders; (vii) further unpacking of the IMS aspects outlined by this rapid assessment.

The successful implementation of these recommendations will enhance the capacity of national systems to identify, register and monitor the interventions and services provided to refugee and migrant children, including unaccompanied and separated children and children from Ukraine. Additionally, high-quality and more consistent data on refugee and migrant children including unaccompanied and separated children and children from Ukraine will result in better analytics and an improved evidence base for decision-making, planning and programming.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF Office for Croatia is looking for a National IMS (Information Management System) consultant to provide technical support to the Country Office in strengthening national capacities to ensure high-quality, disaggregated data collection and analysis relevant for refugee and migrant children, including UASC and children from Ukraine.

The technical support refers to the preparation, organization and implementation of cross-sectoral workshop and round table discussion aimed at further unpacking previously identified IMS challenges and in developing a road map for future systems’ enhancements.

The consultancy service will be delivered under the overall coordination, management and technical guidance of UNICEF staff and in close cooperation with UNICEF ECARO Information Management Consultant. So, if you are a self-driven professional, experienced in assessing/strengthening information management system(s), data governance and management, and cooperation with relevant stakeholders, we invite you to apply for this job opportunity. 

To view the full job description of the position, please visit here: Terms of Reference - IMS Consultant (For ad).pdf

Scope of Work/Objectives:

Under the overall coordination, management and technical guidance of UNICEF staff, the consultant is expected to:

1. In close cooperation with the ECARO IMS Consultant and based on information available in the 2023 Assessment Report, develop (a) a list of questions relevant for obtaining information that will be used for further IMS analysis and unpacking the challenges identified, and (b) a data collection and reporting tool.
2. To the extent possible, collect, analyze and systemize the data and information from relevant data providers, managers and users needed to inform and prepare IMS related workshop.
3. Produce a brief report and concept note to guide and inform the discussions and analytical work during the technical workshop, as well as a draft workshop agenda.
4. Support UNICEF in the preparation, delivery and documentation of the technical level one-day national IMS related workshop. The objectives of the workshop are as follows:

1. active engagement of all relevant data providers and managers and selected data users (technical level)
2. reflection on the actuality of the issues identified and on new and emerging IMS challenges and opportunities
3. knowledge sharing and familiarization with good practices and lessons learned from other countries
4. detailed analysis of the bottlenecks and barriers identified by the 2023 Assessment Report, which prevent effective and efficient information management systems and their inter-operability including possible short- and longer-term solutions considering available resources, as well as ethics and data protection regulations.
5. achieving consensus among the technical experts on priority actions to effectively address the issues identified before and during the workshop and gathering inputs relevant for the development of the “Roadmap document for strengthening national Information Management Systems’ quality and inter-operability relevant for refugee and migrant children including UASC and children from Ukraine (Roadmap Document)”

5. In close cooperation with the ECARO IM Consultant develop, validate (through sharing relevant documents with relevant stakeholders and requesting their feedback) and finalize the Roadmap Document which will set out the next steps to effectively address the priority issues identified during the workshop.
6. Provide assistance to UNICEF CO in organizing the roundtable discussion on enhancing IMS in Croatia to improve data on refugee and migrant children. The roundtable is expected to gather relevant decision makers, data providers, managers and users across sectors and to increase political commitment and accountability for required actions. 

All points listed above will be implemented in consultation and collaboration with relevant UNICEF team members.

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

• University degree in one of the following fields: statistics, sociology, economics, political science and other social sciences is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in assessing/strengthening information management system(s), data governance and management, and working in that regard with stakeholders from different sectors such as child and social protection / education / public health policies and programmes, is required.
• Good knowledge of general and personal data protection.
• Good understanding of ethics in evidence generation, processing and exchange.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written command of Croatian and English is required.
• Commitment to adhere to the UNICEF Code of Conduct.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies:

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Innovates and embraces change
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

In addition to these required qualifications, skills and competencies, you will preferably have:

• Advanced university degree in one of the above-mentioned fields would be considered as an asset.
• Basic understanding of child rights and the situation of children in Croatia, including equity and gender equality issues, would be an asset.
• Basic understanding of national and/or EU policies relevant to refugee and migrant children and families.
• Excellent planning and communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels).
• Self-motivation with strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure; good negotiation and presentation skills; pro-activity and a strong orientation towards results.
• Proven written, presentation and reporting skills and demonstrated computing skills.
• High level of computer literacy.

What to submit?

1. Cover letter and CV
2. Brief reflection on the ToR and understanding of expected assignment. If there is a suggestion to adjust tasks/workplan from the one presented in the ToR, please elaborate with sufficient rationale and justification explaining effectiveness and efficiency of the revised approach (not to exceed 1 page). 
3. Examples of relevant previous work/projects related to data management and/or IMS projects with described projects’ objectives and main results, and applicant’s role and responsibilities (up to 350 words per project)
4. Financial proposal in EUR (tax inclusive)

Payment terms:

Payment will be processed in two instalments, upon satisfactory completion of the tasks listed above in the “Work Assignment Overview” section - first instalment upon completion of tasks 1 and 2, and second instalment upon completion of tasks 3 and 4.

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 advanced to the next stage of the selection process. 

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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.