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, care 

Тhe Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and UNICEF are currently implementing the Country Programme for the period 2023-2027, which aims to ensure that girls and boys, young children, and adolescents, especially the most vulnerable, have a better start in life, are safer and receive better support to develop their full potential.

Bulgaria was one of the seven countries, selected by the European Commission, for pilot testing the European Child Guarantee with support from UNICEF under Phase III of the Preparatory Action. The pilot project for the European Child Guarantee in Bulgaria, which was implemented in the period 2021-2023, supported more than 17,000 and 10,500 and strengthened the capacities of more than 800 professionals from different sectors for ensuring access to services to the most disadvantaged children through innovative approaches and practices. The experience and lessons learned from the pilot project informed the development the National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee 2030, which was adopted by the Government in November 2022.

A key commitment of UNICEF Bulgaria is to support national partners for the effective implementation of the National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee 2030. The independent evaluation of the pilot testing of the European Child Guarantee (Phase III of the EC Preparatory Action) highlighted the key role of local authorities for the implementation of the ECG and recommended to strategically invest in strengthening the capacities at local level.

UNICEF Country Office in Bulgaria intends to support three municipalities in conducting a comprehensive Situation Analysis and in developing Local Action Plans under the framework of the European Child Guarantee. The objective is to improve access to essential services for vulnerable children, including children living in poverty. The Situation Analysis will cover all sectors at the local level that impact children’s well-being, including: health, education, child protection, social protection, and social services.  The Situation Analysis will identify existing gaps, barriers, and bottlenecks in the delivery of services to vulnerable children. It will also assess the effectiveness of current inter-sectoral coordination mechanisms and provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations for improvement.

UNICEF intends to hire an external consultant to support in undertaking the situation analysis work. Based on the findings, the consultant will support local stakeholders in the development of Local Action Plans for the European Child Guarantee. These plans will outline short-, medium-, and long-term measures to ensure access to key services for vulnerable children. The plans will also include strategies to strengthen inter-sectoral coordination and community engagement.

In a subsequent phase, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework will be developed, including a set of indicators to track progress, measure outcomes, and ensure accountability.

How can you make a difference? 

The main purpose of this consultancy is to prepare a comprehensive Child Welfare Situation Analysis for three municipalities – Kazanlak, Tvarditsa and Kotel. Based on the findings, the consultant will support to draft a Local Action Plan for Children for each municipality, including a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to track progress and ensure accountability.

For a detailed description of the assignment, please refer to the attachment below „Description of Assignment”.

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

• Advanced degree in social sciences, public policy, child rights, or related fields
• Minimum five years of experience in child welfare or social sector analysis
• Proven track record in situation analysis, strategic planning, and policy development
• Familiarity with the European Child Guarantee and relevant EU/national frameworks
• Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis
• Experience with surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group facilitation
• Ability to synthesize findings into practical, evidence-based recommendations
• Experience drafting local action plans and designing M&E frameworks with indicators, baselines, and targets
• Excellent analytical thinking and report-writing skills
• Fluency in Bulgarian and working knowledge of English

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. 

 Description of Assignment.docx