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, protection.

In agreement with key line ministries, UNICEF and European Delegation (EUD) in BiH support implementation of the activities on strengthening social, child protection and education systems in BiH to provide inclusive services and prevent institutionalization.

Overall objective of the activities are to contribute to improving socio-economic situation and living conditions of children and families BiH with specific focus on strengthening social, child protection, and education systems in BiH to prevent unnecessary family separation of children and their institutionalization.

This activity is in line with cooperation agreement between EUD in BiH and UNICEF titled “Strengthened social, child protection and education systems in BiH to provide inclusive services and prevent institutionalization” more specifically- Result area 3: Strengthen capacities of institutions to promote every child’s right to grow up in a supportive family environment and prevent institutionalization.

The component of UNICEF's child protection program focuses on supporting the strengthening of social and child protection systems, including the strengthening of institutions to develop the capacity to promote the right of every child to grow up in a supportive family environment.

The general goal of this activity is to engage staff who will provide support to the Ministry of labour and social policy of FBiH in activities related to the implementation of the project.

How can you make a difference? 

The UNICEF BiH is looking for a qualified consultant who will support the implementation of the action and provide technical support to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of FBiH.

UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina will ensure that the activities related to the tasks of the consultant are in accordance with the most up-to-date EU guidelines related to deinstitutionalization (DI) processes, including technical recommendations on the transformation of existing childcare institutions, strengthening the mechanisms of prevention of entry into the system of alternative care, and foster care.

Tasks of the consultant will be aligned and in scope with Document of Action related to EU funded program “Strengthening of system of social and child protection and education in BiH for provision of the inclusive services and prevention of institutionalization”.  

Under the overall supervision of UNICEF's Head of Child Protection Section, the consultant will work closely with relevant partners and will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Providing technical and logistical support in the coordination and implementation of agreed work plans
• Providing support to initiatives related to childcare reform and deinstitutionalization
• Monitoring of all issues relevant to project activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of the system to promote the right of every child to grow up in a supportive family environment and preventing institutionalization in coordination between the Ministry and UNICEF BiH in this regard
• Ensure the exchange of information and collaboration at the technical and organizational level between the Ministry, UNICEF BiH and relevant partners
• Coordinating and providing full technical support in the organization of meetings, trainings, workshops and similar events organized by the Ministry and UNICEF BiH
• Consolidates materials within project activities
• Contributes to the development of the relevant strategic documents:
• Provides technical assistance and support in communication, coordination of activities and initiatives related to child protection
• Coordinate the exchange of information between the ministry, local communities and UNICEF BiH
• Monitors the status of spending of funds for activities and prepares narrative and financial reports and provides timely information to the Ministry and UNICEF BiH
• Administration of project documentation and record keeping
• Provides support and technical assistance during donor visits
• Conducts field visits and attends meetings related to project events, when necessary, in agreement with the Ministry and UNICEF BiH
• Translates technical documents and relevant communication in written and verbal from English and local languages

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

• University degree (minimum BA) from Social Science or relevant areas.
• Minimum three years of experience in relevant field
• Experience working in child protection and social protection area would be considered as an asset.
• Familiarity with the key stakeholders in the social protection and child protection sector
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, intercultural sensitivity;
• Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision and as part of a team;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships;
• Strong writing and communication skills required.
• Knowledge of child protection, social welfare, and/or previous experience with UNICEF will be considered as an asset
• Strong organization and planning skills required
• Ability to analyze documents, gather information from key stakeholders and synthesize into succinct format.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Fluency in English and BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) mandatory.
• Solid ICT skills, including the use of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint

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.