UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

The consultant will provide technical support to strengthen the institutional capacities of the local self-governments supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Youth for the development of Local Volunteer Services (LVS). The assignment will focus on supporting the establishment and operationalization of LVS, enhancing multi-stakeholder coordination, and contributing to sustainable governance models.

The consultant will work on capacity development, technical advisory, stakeholder engagement, and systems strengthening related to volunteer management, safeguarding, partnerships, and community engagement, in collaboration with Youth Offices, civil society organizations, and relevant public institutions.

The assignment will also include support to monitoring, knowledge generation, and learning processes to inform continuous improvement and promote coordination within the youth and volunteering sector.

Contract duration: April – December 2026 (up to 35 workdays)

Tasks and Deliverables:

Task 1: Prepare the needs assessment/training needs analysis of the LVS

Deliverables:

• Analyze the projects of up to 15 local self-governments to identify components for system strengthening and potential areas for capacity development.
• Conduct at least two meetings with representatives and employees of the up to 15 LVS to identify gaps in employee skills and knowledge, ensure that future training program is matching their needs and harmonize efforts with UNICEF and the Ministry of Tourism and Youth (MTY).
• Develop an online questionnaire to assess training needs and capacity gaps of all LVSs.
• Produce one training needs analysis report summarizing progress, agreements, action items, opportunities for collaboration, and alignment with other initiatives.

Timeframe: April 2026 – 2 days

Task 2: Design and the implementation of the training program for the development of LVS, including defining their architecture governance model, workflows, and mechanisms for youth engagement.

Deliverables:

• Developed Capacity Building Program methodology and training agenda under the supervision of MTY
• Prepared training materials, presentations and practical tools
• Delivered 2 three-days trainings
• MTY supported in strengthening capacities of Youth Offices and partner organizations in up to 15 municipalities
• Compiled training evaluation summaries and participant feedback

Timeframe: April to September 2026 – 12 days

Task 3: Provide technical assistance and mentoring to municipalities and local stakeholders to support the establishment and operationalization of Local Volunteer Services.

Deliverables:

• Technical support provided to 15 municipalities under the supervision of MTY
• Developed templates and practical tools for LVS establishment
• Documented local volunteer programs and operational plans
• Support to organisers of volunteering service to use digital platforms and tools for volunteer management
• Summary report on the establishment and operational status of LVS

Timeframe: May to November 2026 – 8 days

Task 4: Monitoring the progress of Local Volunteer Service development and support continuous learning and collaboration among stakeholders involved in volunteering initiatives.

Deliverables:

• Developed monitoring framework and tracking tools
• Supported MTY in Implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities in line with the approved methodology and programme objectives
• Supported MTY in Regular monitoring of LVS development in 15 municipalities
• Supported MTY in Facilitated knowledge exchange meetings and peer-learning sessions
• Identified good practices and lessons learned applicable to local youth offices in Serbia

Timeframe: May to November 2026 – 5 days

Task 5: Prepare regular progress updates, documentation and strategic recommendations for UNICEF and MTY leadership

Deliverables:

• Produce report for each module summarizing each training session, participant feedback, challenges, and recommendations • Produce final report highlighting overall outcomes, achievements, and lessons learned with recommendations for participating municipalities and guidance for future municipalities joining the programme
• Provide an action plan and recommendations for sustaining and scaling up the local volunteering program, including continuous improvement of governance and financing

Timeframe: April to December 2026 – 8 days

Requirements:

• Minimum high school diploma is required
• At least 5 years of work experience in the relevant field, preferably youth participation program and policy issues - design, evaluation, monitoring and evaluation, youth engagement, innovation, social innovation or entrepreneurship, communication, multi-stakeholder engagement including private sector, and managing relations with those stakeholders who support ecosystem engagement
• Experience in deploying digital platforms, tools and approaches
• Experience in working with national stakeholders (civil society, public administration, social partners, local organizations, etc.)
• Fluency in Serbian and advanced knowledge of English

Desired qualifications

• Excellent understanding of policy, institutional and legal frameworks in the Republic of Serbia
• Knowledge of children's rights, gender issues, children's and youth participation
• Good analytical, writing and reporting skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience with international organizations (UN and similar)

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

• An all-inclusive daily fee in RSD.

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).  
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a” or “00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.