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For every child, the right to health

The national consultant will provide technical assistance for the revision of the existing legal framework with a focus on development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and by-laws for establishment of universal developmental monitoring for children 0-3 and coordination with ECI services.

In North Macedonia, the 2021 census reported 140,436 children under the age of six. According to a 2023 UNICEF situation analysis, using a probability rate of 12.5% (which aligns with global statistics indicating that 10–15% of children from birth to age six experience developmental delays), an estimated 17,554 children may require early childhood intervention (ECI) services. The analysis also found that a worrying 31% of children utilizing ECI services were enrolled after reaching three years old (37 months and above). Factors contributing to this include limited access to standardized assessments, lack of screening in all municipalities, and low parental awareness, particularly in rural areas. The study recommended establishing a universal system for developmental monitoring to facilitate earlier identification of children who may benefit from support and enhancing coordination between relevant services, recognizing that family doctors, paediatricians, patronage nurses and vaccination points as well as child care providers and preschool teachers should be the “gate-keepers” or the entry points that will conduct this universal screening. There should be referral follow up, possibly done by the patronage nurses (envisioned in the Universal Progressive Model of Patronage). These services should be free and accessible for all, with specific measures taken to ensure children from disadvantaged backgrounds receive appropriate attention and outreach.

In addition, investment in early childhood development in the country remains below European benchmarks. Efforts to establish quality processes for early childhood development and stimulation are complicated by the division of responsibilities among three ministries: the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health. This division leads at times to overlapping or uncertain competencies, which may affect the quality of systems to support optimal child development. Since there is no uniform approach, systematic cooperation among health, social, and educational sectors is needed to improve early identification and intervention rates.

Recognizing the need for coordinated action, UNICEF is collaborating with the Ministries of Health, Social Policy, and Education and Science to jointly develop a universal system for monitoring child development and delivering early intervention services to children from birth to six years old. In May 2025, this partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, committing the parties to support children presenting risk factors, developmental delays, or disabilities according to their functional capabilities.

The Law on Health Care focuses solely on health system matters. Article 26 addresses early detection and control of chronic disease risk factors and screening, as outlined in Article 16. Article 30 details primary-level activities, including preventive programs for vulnerable groups and the rehabilitation of individuals with special needs. No additional regulations provide for cross-sectoral service coordination among health, education and social sectors.

In view of the ongoing UNICEF supported ECI activities in the child protection sector, UNICEF in close consultation with the Ministry of Health seeks to engage a national consultant with knowledge of the ECD and ECI system in the country to provide technical assistance for the revision of the legal health framework, with a focus on development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and by-laws for regulation of developmental monitoring and coordination with ECI services.

How can you make a difference? 

In close collaboration with Child Protection sector working on ECI, and under the direct supervision of the Health Officer and in close consultation with the Ministry of Health the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conduct a desk review of the laws, legal reviews and health related regulations related to developmental monitoring, to identify gaps, inconsistencies and barriers vis a vis national and international commitments (e.g., WHO Universal Health Coverage principles, EU health policy frameworks, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and data protection regulations).

• Draft SOPs, rulebooks and/or by-laws to address gaps, inconsistencies and barriers for establishment of universal developmental monitoring and provisions needed for coordination with early intervention.

• Organize and facilitate consultations with key stakeholders, including but not limited to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Policy, Demographics and Youth, healthcare providers, service providers, civil society organizations, pediatricians, and parent representatives to present the analysis, recommendations and proposed legislative documents, and adjust them based on the feedback received

• In consultation with relevant stakeholders (MoH, health insurance fund and primary healthcare doctors in first line) and based on review of relevant documents, propose incentive mechanisms for healthcare providers involved in developmental monitoring, e.g., payment from Health Insurance Fund for preventive services

• Gather input on the practical and financial implications of introducing proposed regulations and develop policy brief outlining recommendations of additional analysis/changes to accompany proposed legal revisions.

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

Minimum requirements:

Academic background:  Advanced degree in Public Health or other field related to child development. Exceptions can be made for professionals who have an advanced degree in another relevant field but with substantive professional experience with legal revisions.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in policy/program analysis and development of secondary legislation documents in social sectors, preferably at cross-sectoral level, including the health sector.
• Knowledge of North Macedonian legal, healthcare and social systems, including the Health Insurance Fund’s operations.
• Familiarity with international health policy frameworks (e.g., WHO, EU, UN) and
• Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English and Macedonian.
• Prior experience working with the UN system and/or international development agencies is an asset

In order to apply, please submit: 

- Your most recent CV
- Letter of interest
- Financial proposal, indicating the daily gross fee in Macedonian Denar

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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. 

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for consultancy work with UNICEF are required to provide a letter signed by the authorities, confirming that the assignments of the consultancy do not coincide with their regular duties in the Government, before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.