Early-pregnancy and Child Marriage Consultant

The consultant will provide direct expert assistance in the development of the analysis report on the adolescent pregnancies and child marriage, including on relevant national legislation and practices. Based on the key information and documents of relevance provided by UNICEF, the consultant will undertake desk analysis and interviews with key stakeholders and, based on this, develop a draft concept of the report. The final report will be presented to key decision makers and advocates.

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 Government of Serbia has identified the protection of children against violence and further advancements of the child protection system as ones of its priorities in the context of advancing child rights. Focusing on child and early marriage, recognized as one of the forms of violence against children (VAC) within the national strategic framework, UNICEF is leading an action to end this harmful practice in Serbia by 2030. Child marriage is associated with early and frequent pregnancies and childbirths, causing serious health, social and economic consequences, including death among adolescent girls worldwide. Adolescent and teenage pregnancies are an issue of concern in various areas of human rights – child rights, gender equality, rights of the minority groups. Bearing in mind that, according to research, the prevalence of both child and early marriage and adolescent pregnancies is more common in the Roma population, it is necessary to further investigate interconnectedness of the two phenomena.

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of available national data on adolescent pregnancies, links with child marriage, and reporting and referral mechanisms functionality when it comes to adolescent pregnancies and births. The analysis would further contribute to the successful advocacy of the ‘National Coalition to End Child Marriage’ for the improvement of the national normative framework, as well as for the improvement and standardization of the intersectoral cooperation of health, education, social protection, judiciary, LGUs and civil society organizations.

Work Assignment Overview:

The consultant will provide direct expert assistance in the development of the analysis report on the adolescent pregnancies and child marriage, including on relevant national legislation and practices. Based on the key information and documents of relevance provided by UNICEF, the consultant will undertake desk analysis and interviews with key stakeholders and, based on this, develop a draft concept of the report. The final report will be presented to key decision makers and advocates.

Duration of the assignment: June – September 2024 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

Task 1. Development of the methodology for the Analysis on adolescent pregnancies and child marriage, designed to capture both the breadth and depth of information needed for a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy in Serbia.

Deliverable 1: Methodology plan including specific activities (type and scope) and timeline, how data will be collected, list of planed key informant interviews, list of documentation for desk review.

Timeframe: June 2024

Task 2. Desk review of the relevant literature, reports, routine data and studies on adolescent pregnancies and child marriage, including information about the prevalence of adolescent pregnancies and births and desk review of data and legislation related to intentional terminations of a pregnancy. Collecting the data of relevance for the development of the analysis including through the lenses of relevant international standards; develop initial report structure.

Deliverable 2: Initial analysis report

Timeframe: mid July 2024

Task 3. Analysis of the data and collection of additional inputs/opinions from relevant actors (key informant interviews) and updating the report based on the findings. Recommendations should be based on international standards and good practices from other countries when possible.

Deliverable 3: Advanced draft of the analysis developed

Timeframe: August 2024

Task 4. Presentation of the key findings at the public meeting of National Coalition to End Child Marriage and finalizing the report based on the feedback received. The consultant should be prepared to incorporate feedback from stakeholders and the commissioning entity.

Deliverable 4: Final text of the Analysis (in Serbian, with summary in English) reviewed and approved by UNICEF

Timeframe: mid-September 2024

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Social Work, or another relevant field (law, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, etc.).
• At least 10 years’ experience in data collection, data analysis and report writing (at least 3 references / documents).
• Proven expertise in development of national policies in the area of reproductive health and/or violence against children prevention (list relevant experience).
• Strong understanding of the social/health/child protection system in Serbia, including policies and regulations.
• Knowledge on key international standards on reproductive health and child rights.
• Very good communication skills.
• Excellent knowledge of Serbian and advanced knowledge of English language.
• Work experience with the UN will be considered an asset.

How to apply:

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

• 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.