Contract Duration - 3.5 Months

Working arrangement - Remote work, Podgorica, Republic of Montenegro

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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this assignment is to engage an International Consultant to support the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation in strengthening the regulatory framework for preventing school dropout, early school leaving, and educational exclusion by reviewing existing legislation, identifying policy and implementation gaps, and developing practical, evidence-based measures aligned with national priorities and international standards to improve equitable access to quality, inclusive education.

The analysis should provide up-to-date evidence on the existing measures and support mechanisms for preventing school dropout, early school leaving, educational exclusion and NEET, early identification and referral mechanisms, case management, data and monitoring systems, and coordination and cooperation between education, social protection, health and other relevant sectors. The analysis should also provide evidence-based recommendations for key stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, Bureau for Education, Centre for Vocational Education and other relevant institutions, including proposed regulatory measures and an implementation roadmap.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0005665 External ToR.pdf

Minimum Qualification required:

Education:

Master’s degree in Education policy and Pedagogy

Work experience:

• At least eight years of experience in education policy, education systems strengthening, pedagogy.
• Experience in equity in education policies is an asset;

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in equity in education policies, inclusive education, school dropout prevention, and early school leaving.

• Strong knowledge of education equity, inclusive education, and policies addressing educational exclusion.

• Experience in developing and evaluating policies that promote equitable access to quality education.

• Good cross-sectoral knowledge; education, health, child protection, and social protection issues;

• Familiarity with the local context in Montenegro is a distinct advantage;

• Previous experience of collaboration with the UN/UNICEF is an asset.

Language Requirements:

An advance knowledge of English language, with an advance knowledge of any of regional languages- ie.

Montenegrin, Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian.

Desirables:

• Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills.

• Ability to work with different stakeholders.

• Demonstrates tact and a high sense of responsibility and discretion.

• Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Expression of Interest Letter
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0005665 Financial proposal.xlsx
• Technical proposal requirements:

1. CV and sample of a previous work that the candidate authored (up to 5 pages)

2. Proposed methodology for Analysis

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.