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.

Serbia has adopted a number of strategies and relevant regulations that are consistent in the need for stepping away from the use of institutions to a system that supports families and, where alternative care is required – the use of foster care. Still, the legal provision of a maximum number of 50 child beneficiaries in residential institutions is not in line with the international standards. The Strategy for deinstitutionalization and development of social protection services in the community for 2022-2026 envisages the enhancement of specialized, intermittent, and urgent foster care, further development of community-based services and strengthening programmes for children leaving care. One of the planned results of the Strategy is also the establishment of Centres for children, youth and families as a desirable end-result of transformation from residential institutions into community-based services for supporting children, youth and families in need, with the aim of prevention of separation and facilitating re-integration in cases when placement into formal care was in the best interest of the child.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support to UNICEF in assisting the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs (MoLEVSA) in the development of the Roadmap for the transformation of prioritized residential institutions for children and the Concept of the centres for children, youth and families, thus contributing to strengthening the enabling environment and system capacities for acceleration of the process of de-institutionalization of children.

Work Assignment Overview:

The consultant will work in close coordination with the MoLEVSA and UNICEF. He/she will provide direct expert assistance to MoLEVSA in developing roadmap/operational plan of measures and activities for transformation of priority residential institutions for children, and to the Working group for development of the Concept of centres for children, youth, and families. The consultant will attend and actively participate in the Working group meetings (min 5) and follow the conclusions and decisions reached to develop draft concepts, including the final proposal that will be submitted by the Working group to MoLEVSA for endorsement.

Duration of the assignment: April – October 2024 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

1. Develop the roadmap/plan of activities and measures MoLEVSA needs to undertake to facilitate the transformation of 4 priority residential institutions for children. The plan shall include specific activities (type and scope) and timeline, including a capacity building plan, an overview of regulatory acts and instructions that need to be upgraded and/or developed, as well as steps and mechanisms for sustainable financing and transition to funding from local budgets.
2. Analyse the existing working documents/drafts of relevance for the development of the Concept of Centres for children, youth and families, including through the lenses of relevant international standards; develop an initial framework that would act as the basis for the work of the Working Group to be established by MoLEVSA.
3. Actively participate in Working Group meetings (min 5), prepare the zero- and improved drafts of the text of the Concept, collect additional inputs/opinions and electronic exchange of information with members of the Working Group as needed.
4. Prepare the final document/Concept on the basis of the WG and UNICEF agreed inputs and comments, which will be submitted to the Ministry for adoption.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in a wide range of social and humanistic fields (law, social work, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, etc.).
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in development of policies, regulations (with at least 3 references / documents attached).
• Excellent knowledge of the social and child protection system in Serbia, including policies and regulations.
• Excellent knowledge on key relevant international documents and standards of relevance for deinstitutionalisation, child protection and local services.
• Very good teamwork and communication skills.
• Fluency in Serbian.
• Advanced level of English, written and spoken.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing a separate fee for each of the four tasks:

• Deliverable 1
• Deliverable 2
• Deliverable 3
• Deliverable 4

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.