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, the best start to life. 

Action to improve child health, development and well-being is a key priority for the Region, and is reflected in the WHO European Child and Adolescent Health Strategies, Nurturing Care Framework (2018), Framework on Early Childhood Development in the European Region (2020), Health 2020, UNICEF Programme Guidance for ECD and UNICEF regional ECD Strategy closely aligned with the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health 2016-2030, Immunization Agenda 2030, UNICEF Immunization Road Map 2030 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Investments in the earliest years represent a major opportunity to reduce mortality and morbidity, as well as address health and social inequalities in the Region.

The health sector plays a crucial role during early years as it is uniquely positioned to provide support to children and their families with early and universal services, and acts as a gateway for multisectoral coordination and integration. Both WHO and UNICEF have been supporting the primary health system strengthening and the provision of accessible and quality health care, development and well-being of children in general. Timely vaccination is corner stone of effective healthcare package for children on primary level, fundamental to building and sustaining population immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), ensuring that communities receive early protection from life-threatening infections and helping to prevent large-scale outbreaks.

Montenegro is faced with critically low and continuously declining immunization rates - despite its upper middle-income status. Immunization coverage rates for first dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR1) have been decreasing in recent years – from 88% in 2013 to 24% in 2023, which is a critically low rate and one of the lowest in Europe and Central Asia region. This means that the most of all young children are not protected from the most contagious vaccine-preventable diseases.

The development of the National Programme of Measures for Immunization 2025-2027 with an Action Plan 2025-2027 is a crucial step in strengthening Montenegro’s public health system. This National Programme will serve as a credible and achievable framework for immunization and the health sector, securing political commitment and funding as well as ensuring timely vaccination, reducing disease outbreaks, and protecting citizens’ lives. By aligning with national and international recommendations (EU, UNICEF, WHO), the National Programme will facilitate the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of immunization program while also enhancing the overall immunization system. A strong focus on programmatic and financial sustainability will help improve vaccine availability, particularly for vulnerable populations, and ensure the long-term success of immunization efforts. Additionally, one of the key objectives of the National Programme is to establish a transparent and systematic approach to immunization, fostering public trust in the healthcare system.

By integrating with Montenegro’s national health strategic plan and identifying synergies with other primary healthcare programs, the National Programme will not only strengthen immunization services but also contribute to a more sustainable and effective healthcare system.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this assignment is to support the government of Montenegro to prepare a National Programme of Measures for Immunization 2025-2027 with an Action Plan 2025-2027 that will be both credible and achievable for the health sector and wider government. The attention to programmatic and financial credibility will provide the platform that will allow the National Programme of Measures to additionally concentrate on becoming a frequently used reference document that drives the strategic direction of the immunization program development and implementation.

The National Programme of Measures for Immunization will be closely linked to existing national health strategic plans, explore potential synergies with other primary healthcare programs, consider operational and fiscal realities, and provide a realistic prognosis for financial sustainability.

To implement this task, UNICEF Montenegro seeks to identify a national consultant that should work under the supervision of the Early Childhood Development Officer and in close collaboration with Social and Behaviour Change Officer and complete the assessment, following the specific tasks described in detail in the Work Assignment Overview section below. The selected consultant shall also work in collaboration with the UNICEF HQ Senior Immunization Specialist.

All deliverables should be produced in local language and final consultancy report in both, local and English language.

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

Education

An advanced degree (Master's) in: preferably Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Management and Administration. Also, Economics, Legal studies, Social sciences or related relevant sciences.

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.