Expert to Support the Migration Training Center

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.

Children affected by migration and displacement are among the world’s most vulnerable populations. An estimated 50 million children are on the move in the world today. Millions more have been deeply affected by migration. Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration (SCRM) is the key institutional actor for migration management, policy support and capacity building. With the vision of creating a national hub for excellence in migration management and research, the SCRM has established a dedicated Migration Training Centre (MTC) in Plandiste in 2018. MTC is envisioned to host sustainable training and capacity building programs and research in migration, targeting migration policy makers and implementers, as well as service providers, and has been developing towards this goal since.

In partnership with the SCRM, UNICEF jointly with the IOM, UNHCR and UNDP, initiated a 2-year project entitled “Promoting Evidence-based Migration Governance for Maximizing Development Potential of Migration”, funded by the Migration Multi Partner Trust Fund. One of the key goals of the project is to ensure that migration stakeholders at the national and local levels have enhanced capacities to implement evidence-based policies in accordance with the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) objectives, incorporating international standards and principles ensuring child and gender sensitive human-rights based approach in delivering services and assistance to migrants in need.

This goal includes focused efforts on building a central-level learning resource in the migration area which should be used to increase competences on migration governance matters at the central and local government levels, as well as including the civil society partners. The project will thus further strengthen the MTC, as one of the SCRM’s units and functions, to increase capacities of migration stakeholders to design and implement effective, evidence-based, gender and child sensitive migration policies, and accelerate the implementation of migration priorities towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfilling its commitments under the GCM.

Work Assignment Overview:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to the SCRM related to the capacity building component in order to strengthen structured and systemic capacity building on migration issues in line with national legislation and strategic framework, as well as international migration standards. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the SCRM and provide technical assistance to strengthen the internal mechanisms for managing and further developing MTC capacity building function.

Duration of the assignment: March – August 2025 (part-time, remote)

Task description:

Task 1: Provide technical assistance to the SCRM management in the development of the Migration Training Center (MTC), in line with the Law on Migration Management and other relevant national legislation:

• Collaborate with the SCRM to undertake the analysis of the MTC mandate, institutional and normative grounds, organisational and technical capacities and resources, and identify key development areas with regards to MTC’s role as a national hub for excellence in migration management and research.
• Conduct analysis of the MTC necessary human resource structure and requirements to support core functions, and assist in developing/updating terms of reference and job descriptions for strategic MTC positions.
• Based on the analysis above and other tasks’ analysis, draft MTC Development Strategy Paper with a road map. Liaise with the SCRM team and management to ensure the MTC Development Strategy Paper reflects the efforts invested so far and the vision of the SCRM management; Submit to SCRM management for adoption.

Deliverables:

1. Designed MTC Development Strategy Paper and Workplan, in close collaboration with the SCRM and submitted to the SCRM management for validation,
2. Analysis of the MTC necessary human resource structure and requirements produced, including terms of reference for the strategic MTC positions.

Timeframe: March 2025 – June 2025

Task 2: Provide technical assistance to the SCRM in strengthening the training function for employees performing tasks of significance for migration management through an improved training program:

• Support further enhancements of the SCRM system of qualifications and skills for positions engaged with the MTC, aligning also with the good practices and the qualification system of the European Union Agency of Asylum (EUAA).
• In collaboration with the SCRM, develop a catalog of the existing trainings in the area of migration, as part of the learning offer of the MTC.
• Identify gaps in thematic areas that are not covered by existing curricula in the current MTC learning offer and formulate recommendations for future capacity-building initiatives, based on the overview of existing curriculums and survey of frontline workers.
• In collaboration with the SCRM, develop the MTC capacity building quality assurance mechanism, including defining the standards for participant feedback and training evaluation system; liaise with the Capacity Building Consultant to ensure the implementation of the standards in the trainings delivered within the project.

Deliverables:

1. The system of qualifications and skills required for MTC posts is enhanced.
2. The MTC training catalog is developed.
3. The Report on gap areas in the current MTC learning offer is drafted.
4. The MTC capacity building quality assurance mechanism model is developed.

Timeframe: April 2025 – August 2025

Task 3: In close collaboration with the SCRM, provide technical support for further enhancements of the MTC migration resource and knowledge management function:

• Assist in further enhancements of the system of records and documentation on MTC capacity building and training activities, and other relevant technical resources in the field of migration management; Prepare recommendations on ensuring the MTC system of records and documentation complies with regulations on office operations and record-keeping in state administration, as well as national good practices.
• Create a roadmap for developing the MTC knowledge management function (to be annexed to the Development Strategy paper from Task 1) including establishing a repository of existing technical resources on migration and MTC training-related materials and identifying key resources which should be part of it.
• Develop an MTC communication strategy to include guidance and recommendations on the promotion of MTC learning offer and resources and collaboration opportunities to diverse audiences including civil servants, civil society and the academic community. The MTC communication strategy should complement the Development Strategy Paper (Task 1).

Deliverables:

1. An enhanced system of MTC electronic technical archive and system of records on capacity building initiatives in MTC.
2. A roadmap for developing the MTC knowledge management function.
3. MTC communication strategy developed.

Timeframe: May 2025 – August 2025

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in one of the following fields is required: pedagogy and related disciplines, management and organizational sciences, law, and other relevant fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in capacity building and organisational development.
• Knowledge of frameworks and stakeholders, along with experience in implementing and/or developing policies in the field of migration management, is considered an advantage.
• Experience in working with government authorities is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Good digital literacy: facility with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint presentation, and email/internet software.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Self-driven and well-organised personality.
• Fluent written and spoken Serbian and advanced knowledge of English language is required.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD* as a separate document, providing a separate all-inclusive fee for the following items:

1. Deliverable 1.1
2. Deliverable 1.2
3. Deliverable 2.1
4. Deliverable 2.2
5. Deliverable 2.3
6. Deliverable 2.4
7. Deliverable 3.1
8. Deliverable 3.2
9. Deliverable 3.3
10. Daily travel allowance for travel within Serbia without overnight stay,
11. Daily travel allowance for an overnight stay in Serbia (including accommodation),
12. Transportation costs per km (for travel within Serbia).

*Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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.