Consultant for the development of family support service standards

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support to UNICEF in assisting the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs in the development of standards for intensive family support services in the community, thus contributing to strengthening of an enabling environment and system capacities for acceleration of childcare reforms, promotion of social inclusion and ensuring the right of every child to live in stimulative and safe family environment.

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 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 standards for intensive family support services in the community, thus contributing to strengthening of an enabling environment and system capacities for acceleration of childcare reforms, promotion of social inclusion and ensuring the right of every child to live in stimulative and safe family environment.

Work Assignment Overview:

The consultant will provide technical expertise and assistance to the Working group for the development of standards for intensive family support services to be established by MoLEVSA. The standards / rule-book shall specify the service (purpose, beneficiary groups, activities) and institutional and functional standards.

Duration of the assignment: May – November 2024 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

1. Analyse existing documents / draft standards and in consultation with key actors (as needed) to develop initial framework with proposed options based on the needs, priorities and opportunities, including being guided by the existing evidence (evaluated / tested standards), the Social Welfare Law and particularly being informed by relevant international standards and guides. The initial framework will act as a basis for the work of the Working group for development of standards for intensive family support services to be established by MoLEVSA.
2. Active participation in Working Group meetings (up to 4) preparation of the zero- and improved drafts of the text of the standards, collection of additional inputs/opinions and electronic exchange of information with members of the Working Group as needed.
3. Preparation of the final document / standards 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 and regulations (with at least 3 references/documents attached).
• Demonstrated experience in the social and child protection system in Serbia, including with policies and regulations.
• Excellent knowledge on key relevant international documents and standards of relevance for child protection and local services.
• Very good teamwork and communication skills.
• Fluency in Serbian and advanced knowledge 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 three tasks:

• Deliverable 1
• Deliverable 2
• Deliverable 3

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.