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, support

Poor quality education and high levels of youth unemployment are significant challenges limiting young people's potential in Kosovo. While a child in Kosovo can expect to complete nearly 13 years of schooling by age 18, poor
education quality reduces their learning to the equivalent of only 7.7 years—a gap of more than five years. Students consistently rank near the bottom in international assessments like PISA, with 2022 results showing a
decline in mathematics, reading, and science proficiency among 15-year-olds compared to 2018. Simultaneously, youth unemployment and inactivity remain critical concerns. In 2022, 33.7% of young people were not in
employment, education, or training (NEET), significantly higher than the Western Balkan average of 22.3%, with youth aged 15-24 experiencing the highest unemployment rate at 19%. These challenges highlight the urgent
need for investments in education and skill development at scale to equip young people with essential skills like problem-solving, communication, creativity, and leadership, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the
economy and society.

Adolescence and youth are particularly important developmental phases that shape an individual’s future wellbeing and contributions to society. However, this period is often accompanied by challenges such as identity
exploration, peer pressure, and academic stress, all of which can have significant impacts on mental health. Mental health issues account for a significant proportion of the disease burden among adolescents globally, with
many cases going unrecognized or unsupported. In addition, to ensure optimal development and wellbeing for children and youth, supporting mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of caregivers is critical. UNICEF places a
specific emphasis on the importance to address these challenges through accessible, inclusive, and youthcentered mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, utilizing a holistic approach that recognizes
the role of caregivers and the broader family environment.

Given the above and in line with the priorities of the existing UNICEF Programme 2021-2025 and while bridging into the new five-year programme cycle, the importance of investing in adolescents and youth people remains
relevant and important for UNICEF. Therefore, UNICEF is committed to support central and local level institutions, here including the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and Ministry of Culture,
Youth and Sports (MCYS) to instill skills-based programmes in formal education settings and institutionalization of the participation in the newly established structure which derived from the new Law on Youth, and support
the identification of entry points for supporting institutions for MHPSS services for children and youth.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall supervision of the Youth and Adolescents Development Officer, the Youth Policy and Programme Consultant will support UNICEF Kosovo and the relevant line ministries, including the Ministry of
Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), in developing roadmaps, manuals, and strategic entry points for UNICEF youth programmes. This role will focus on
advancing skills-based programmes, supporting the establishment of youth participation structures at both central and local levels, and identifying opportunities to advocate for programmes and services that address the
urgent needs for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). The consultant with align its proposed actions with the ‘Law on Youth’ and ‘Youth Strategy’. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF programme staff and
officials from MESTI and MCYS.

Within the scope of work, the expected outputs of this consultancy are outlined below:

• Develop a roadmap for operationalizing new youth participation structures at local and central levels, ensuring alignment with principles of scalability and inclusiveness.
• Create a step-by-step implementation plan for the new youth structures in accordance with the latest legislation approved by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports.
• Develop manuals on meaningful youth participation tailored for four key groups: municipalities, young people, youth structures, and local authorities.
• Identify entry points for UNICEF engagement and institutional support in MHPSS programming following the completion of the mapping analysis.
• Assess opportunities for integrating and sustaining UNICEF second-decade programmes within existing structures in both formal and non-formal education, with special emphasis on new mechanisms established by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports.
• Develop a roadmap for institutionalizing a skills-based program for in-service teachers under the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Work Assignments Overview:
Develop a roadmap for operationalizing new youth participation structures at local and central  levels, ensuring alignment with principles of scalability and inclusiveness
Delivery deadline:
The roadmap is developed which leads to its operationalization and engagement of different partners.
Delivery deadline
15.04.2025 (14 working days)

Work Assignments Overview:
Create a step-by-step implementation plan for the new youth participation structures in accordance with the latest legislation approved by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports.
Delivery deadline:
The detailed implementation plan is developed in accordance with the latest legislation approved.
Delivery deadline:
30.04.2025 (15 working days)

Work Assignments Overview:
Develop manuals on meaningful youth participation tailored for four key groups: municipalities, young people, youth structures, and local authorities,
Delivery deadline:
Manuals for meaningful participation for young people, youth structures and local authorities are developed and approved by all stakeholders
Delivery deadline:
30.05.2025 (14 working days)

Work Assignments Overview:  
Identify entry points for UNICEF engagement and institutional support in MHPSS programming following the completion of the mapping analysis
Delivery deadline:
The entry point for adolescents and youth MHPSS programming is identified based on the mapping analysis conducted by other experts.
Delivery deadline:
30.08.2025 (14 working days)

Work Assignments Overview:  
Assess opportunities for integrating and sustaining UNICEF second-decade programs within existing structures in both formal and non-formal education, with special emphasis on new mechanisms established by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports
Delivery deadline:
Plan developed for UNICEF programmes for skills-building and school-to-work transition programmes
Delivery deadline:
30.06.2025 (15 working days)

Work Assignments Overview:  
Develop a roadmap for institutionalizing a skills-based programmes for in-service teachers under the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation
Delivery deadline:
Roadmap for institutionalization and sustainability of skills-based programmes is developed in collaboration with UNICEF and MESTI
Delivery deadline:
30.07.2025 (14 working days)

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

• University degree, preferably with master’s degree in social sciences.
• At least 7 years of experience working in the field of youth engagement, participation and with institutions and systems
• Proven analytical and report writing skills.
• Ability to write concisely, clearly, and under time pressure.
• Strong facilitation, negotiation and coordination skills.

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.