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 

Mental health1 and well-being are fundamental to the healthy development, learning and future opportunities of children and adolescents. Mental health conditions among children and young people represent significant and growing public health issue. In Serbia2, approximately 16 per cent of adolescents aged 16–17 is assessed as vulnerable in terms of mental health and in need of professional support, while stigma and limited access to services remain major barriers to care. Relevant ministries responsible for health and youth in Serbia recognize that creating a stigma-free environment and ensuring youth-friendly, low-threshold entry points to care, significantly increases the likelihood that young people will access mental health services and remain engaged in support3. At the same time, political attention, policy momentum and funding opportunities for child and adolescent mental health are increasing in countries and at both European and global levels. This creates a critical opportunity to support governments with high-level technical assistance to strengthen systems, promote multisectoral coordination, and ensure the delivery of equitable, high-quality and non-stigmatizing services.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) is a strategic priority for the United Nations and UNICEF. The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026–2029 prioritizes MHPSS for children, adolescents, caregivers and parents, building on integrated programming across health, education and child protection systems, with a strong focus on equity, gender and disability inclusion. In addition, UNICEF Serbia CO country program document 2026-2030 recognizes that adolescents today have poorer mental health compared to previous generations, with increasing numbers experiencing anxiety, irritability and sleep difficulties, particularly adolescent girls. While there have been significant efforts to improve mental health services across the country, the availability of services at the community level is insufficient and the stigma still hinders those in need from seeking support. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and other ministries will be supported to strengthen the mental healthcare system for prevention, early identification and integrated response, including developing the workforce and strengthening the collaboration between the health, education, social protection and youth sectors. Mental health literacy will be promoted to encourage health-seeking behaviors and tackle stigma. In Serbia, UNICEF supports the Government-led reform of the MHPSS system through the implementation of the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (2023–2030), signed by six line ministries, and its accompanying Action Plan. This initiative aims to strengthen integrated, community-based MHPSS services across the health, education and social welfare sectors, reduce stigma, and increase access to care for all children and adolescents.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to relevant partners to support the implementation of the MHPSS MoU and Action Plan nationally, strengthen multisectoral coordination in municipalities, data framework enhancement, referral protocols development and utilization, and enhance the availability, accessibility and quality of child- and adolescent-centered MHPSS services at national and local levels, in line with UNICEF’s mandate and strategic priorities. If you would like to know more about this consultancy on the detailed deliverables and expected outcomes, please review the complete 

Terms of Reference here:  TMC0001075 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, medicine, social work, or other relevant mental health background.

• Work Experience: A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional work in mental health working on design, development, evaluation and implementation of MHPSS programmes for children and young people.

Experience in managing country networks/projects and leading collaborative processes.

Experience in Child Health and /or MHPSS project management in Governmental bodies, NGO’s, and UN Organisations is a strong asset.

• Language Requirements: Advanced level of English is required.

Desirables:  Experience working with UN/international organizations

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 promoting 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 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 (Talent Management System): 

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)  

• Cover letter 
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0001075 Financial proposal.docx 

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.