International consultant: support the Office for Sustainable Development to embed Human/Child Rights in Montenegro`s Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments from SDG Summit and integrate CR related indicators into the national SDG dashboard

Unicef is looking for an International Consultant to support the Office for Sustainable Development to embed Human/Child Rights in Montenegro`s Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments from SDG Summit and integrate CR related indicators into the national SDG dashboard.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, right to live, growth and optimal development. 

Montenegro is upper-middle-income country in South-East Europe with a population of around 618,000. Out of the total population, in 2022, 21.6% are children aged 0–17, with approximately 52% being boys and 48% being girls1. The population is expected to experience growth in the older cohort and a decrease in the child population in the coming years. According to the 2020 Human Development Report, Montenegro ranked 48th among 189 countries.

The Government of Montenegro and United Nations Country Team (UNCT) have signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Montenegro for the period 2023-2027 and the Government of Montenegro and UNICEF have signed the Country Programme of Cooperation for the period 2023-2027. These document serves as the next partnership framework between Montenegro and the UN System towards achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As such, the UN system is the key international partner to the Government regarding sustainable development policies and their implementation and UNICEF as a key partner in supporting the implementation of international commitments on child rights. Montenegro adopted the National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) in July 2016, becoming one of the first UN member states that transposed the 2030 Agenda into a national strategic framework. The NSSD is an umbrella, horizontal and long-term development strategy of Montenegro, which refers not only to the environment and the economy, but also the human and social capital that should facilitate sustainable development, including human rights and consequently protection of child rights. Also, the country adopted the national Strategy on Exercise of Child Rights 2019-2023, as an overarching strategy in the area of child rights, monitored by the national Council on the Rights of the Child, which is currently under the evaluation. 

The National Strategy for Sustainable Development defined the method of establishing a system for monitoring the sustainability of national development including the monitoring of measures and indicators based on an Action Plan. Effective implementation requires focus, prioritization and realistic and up-to-date Action Plan, with clearly set responsibilities and timelines. Hence, half-way through the 2030 Agenda, the Government has stated on numerous occasions that a revision of the Action Plan of the NSSD is necessary. This was very much expedited during the process of national consultations to prepare Montenegro’s statement of commitment for the 2023 SDG Summit. This process, which included a number of stakeholders under the coordination of the National Council for Sustainable Development, yielded a list of priority SDGs, areas and interventions that Montenegro needs to prioritize in order to accelerate the SDG agenda. They are contained in the Diagnostic Paper, that was the analytical basis of the Statement of Commitment. The Statement was adopted by the Government of Montenegro and was presented in SDG summit in September 2023. The Diagnostic paper contained variety of challenges associated with child rights implementation in the country. 

Together with adopting the National Statement, at the same session the Government adopted follow-up conclusions, stipulating that all the institutions in charge shall work on implementing the agreed actions, and that they will regularly report on those actions and results to the Office for Sustainable Development. 

Confirming its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Montenegro, as a member of the UN, Montenegro adopted the National statement/Pledge of Commitment to Fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals. This statement was presented at the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, which was held in September last year as part of the UN General Assembly session in New York. The statement is the product of a broad consultative process in which all social actors such as academia, media, civil sector, business were involved. With that statement, our country committed itself to accelerating the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2027. Among the many set goals are those related to the realization of human and children’s rights through the implementation of targeted, dynamic and continuous measures aimed at reducing poverty and deprivation in society, with special attention to children, the most vulnerable members of society and those who are exposed /e multiple sources of vulnerability.

The Office itself is tasked to make sure to use the Statement as the basis for revising Action Plan of the NSSD, through development of an Action Plan for implementation of the National statement/Pledge outlined in the Statement. In other words, implementation of the pledges from the National Statement will be based on the Action Plan that is developed, through which roles and responsibilities, timelines and resources will be outlined. Once the administrative and normative pre-conditions are fulfilled, this Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments will evolve into new Action Plan for the NSSD implementation. Thus, UNICEF Office has been requested by the National Office for Sustainable Development to support development of the Action Plan in Human Rights and Child Rights, based on Diagnostic paper, developed for the purpose of conceptualization of the National Statement for SDG Summit, held in 2023. In addition, with the support of UNECE, the development of the SDG dashboard was initiated, which will be a one-stop shop for regular publishing of data that are being collected in Montenegro as per global SDG indicator framework. The first phase of developing the dashboard has been finalized, and the data available thus far has been uploaded to the platform run by the Office of Sustainable Development. In accordance, UNICEF has been asked by the Government to provide support to the Government`s SDG unit in the domain of integration, desegregation and ensuring child rights are integral part of the dashboard through engaging an external consultant to help facilitate this process. 

This process will build upon the recently finalized update of UN’s Common Country Analysis (CCA), UNICEF Montenegro`s SITAN, and the Government SDG unit and MONSTAT will be the key interlocutors in this exercise. Moreover, the opportunity will be used to provide additional layers of analysis with regards to data availability and prospects for its further generation, to set the basis for informed UNICEF support to national statistical system.

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose is the improvement of the systematic protection of the human rights and rights and well-being of children in Montenegro through the implementation of effective policies and interventions, the use of disaggregated data and evidence to resolve inequalities or discriminatory practices, while respecting the principle of inclusivity, equality, and protection of the rights of all individuals in society, ensuring that no one is left behind in developmental process.

To achieve all of the above, strong, transparent, inclusive, gender-responsive, culturally sensitive and child-centered institutions are necessary that are focused on the needs of people and children and young people specifically.

The Office of Sustainable Development of the Government of Montenegro will benefit, through the National Sustainable Development Council and its working groups, from international technical expertise to:

Embed human and children`s rights commitments of Montenegro from the national SDG Statement/ Pledge into Montenegro`s Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments from SDG Summit, in particular in relation to poverty elimination, prevention and protection from violence, universal rights to health, education, right to housing, social protection and equitable access to justice.

Integrate child rights related SDG indicators into the national SDG dashboard, in particular in relation to poverty elimination, prevention and protection from violence, universal rights to health, education, right to housing, social protection and equitable access to justice.

Methodology of work: The assignment will include consultations with key stakeholders, the review of UPR, Concluding Observations to Montenegro by ICCPR, ICESC, CEDAW, CRPD, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (2018), VNR report, Agenda 2030 and related SDGs, National Strategy on Sustainable Development, MICS survey for MNE, mapping areas assessed through the MAPS process2 that fall outside of the EU accession process, EU Progress Reports for Montenegro for the last two years and the current state of play/availability of data on the SDG dashboard. Moreover, the consultancy will be used to make in depth analysis of Diagnostic paper/Montenegro`s Pledge for SDG Summit, Action Plan of the National Strategy on Sustainable Development and Strategy on Exercise of Child Rights for the period 2019-2023 to identify priority areas in the human/child rights domain and integrate in the country’s Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments for SDG summit. It will identify relevant child rights related indicators to be included in the national SDG dashboard, provide initial collection and measurement of data and related capacity building of major stakeholders. It will also provide additional layers of analysis with regards to data availability and prospects for its further generation, alternative data sources and the role of other stakeholders (MONSTAT, researchers, academia, NGOs), to set the basis for informed UN’s support to national statistical system throughout UNSDCF cycle, e.g. through tailored trainings on data literacy among duty bearers and wider public to be able to produce, interpret and use data for evidence-based policies.

Under the direct supervision of CRME Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for following: 

Task 1: Analysis of Diagnostic paper/Montenegro`s Pledge for SDG Summit, Action Plan of the National Strategy on Sustainable Development and Strategy on Exercise of Child Rights for the period 2019-2023 and Workplan of the Council on the Rights of the Child to identify priority areas in the human/child rights domain to be integrated in the Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments for SDG summit. 

Deliverables/Outputs:  Priority areas in the human/child rights domain to be integrated in the Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments for SDG summit identified by End June 2024

Task 2: Integration of priority areas in the human/child rights domain into the Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments for SDG summit. other nationally produced indicators which can be used as proxy for the SDG ones, and c) Progress analysis against the indicators.

Deliverables/Outputs:  Priority areas in the human/child rights domain integrated into the Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments for SDG summit by End August 2024.

Task 3: Identification of relevant SDG indicators, other nationally produced indicators which can be used as proxy for the SDG ones, pertaining to children and its integration into the SDG dashboard, including recommendations for regular monitoring by 2030. 

Deliverables/Outputs:  SDG indicators on children and other nationally produced indicators which can be used as proxy for the SDG indicators on children integrated into national SDG dashboard by End July 2024.

Task 4: Capacity building of relevant stakeholders for Initial collection of data/measurement of progress against each indicator integrated on the dashboard related to child rights. 

Deliverables/Outputs:  20 stakeholders from Gov. SDG Unit, MONSTAT, NGO, academia, etc. trained for Initial collection of data/measurement of progress against each indicator integrated on the dashboard related to child rights by 15th September 2024.

Task 5: Final Report with recommendations for follow-up steps, in terms of further analysis, data collection methodologies, regular monitoring of action Plan and dashboard by 2030, including partnerships.   

Deliverables/Outputs:  Final Report (cleared and approved by UNICEF) with recommendations produced by 30th September 2024.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in human rights out of which at least 5 years of experience in children`s rights; 

• At least 3 years of experience in monitoring of data and information; 

• Familiarity with Agenda 2030; 

• Previous work experience with UN/UNICEF or other international organizations will be considered as an advantage; 

• Fluency in Montenegrin and English is required.

 

Payment: The payments will be made upon successful completion of the deliverables and submission of invoices.  Please indicate payment schedule in installments (separately for travels, professional fee, etc.)

1st tranche: 65% of the fee-upon integration of priority areas in the human/child rights into the Action Plan for implementation of National Commitments for SDG summit. other nationally produced indicators which can be used as proxy for the SDG ones, and Progress analysis against the indicators. (By end August 2024)

2nd Tranche: 35% of the fee upon submission of the Final Report (cleared and approved by UNICEF) with recommendations produced. (By 30th September 2024).

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Mandatory e-learning: Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses: Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (PSEAA), and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA). Before commencement of any travel on behalf of UNICEF, the Consultants must complete course on General Information Security Awareness Course. 

Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.

Selection methodology: All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria:

A) Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 70

1. Technical Criteria: Interview: 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points including Education: 20, Previous experience: 25, and Technical questions at interview: 25. 

Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation.

B) Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal – Maximum points: 30

The applicants are requested to submit their financial proposal as a separate document, consisting of all-inclusive professional fee for the services to be provided. Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.