National consultant for bullying prevention programme: “Safe and Enabling School Environment” (m/f), Zagreb, Croatia (for Croatian Nationals only)

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, protection  

UNICEF Country Office in Croatia implemented the programme“For Safe and Enabling Environment in Schools” in the period from 2003-2012 in partnership with the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sport (MoSES) and the Education and Teacher Training Agency (ETTA).

In 2022, the City of Zagreb initiated research in cooperation with the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation, that showed that 75% of students in Zagreb schools experienced some form of violence in schools. Based on this research, City of Zagreb initiated development of the Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence in Zagreb, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the UNICEF Country Office in Croatia and the Community Service Counselling Center “Luka Ritz“ to revive the programme “For Safe and Enabling Environment in Schools” in primary schools in Zagreb in order  to promote violence prevention and improve mental health with the aim of creating an inclusive school environment that encourages and respects diversity, prevents discrimination, and enhances the quality of the education process.

UNICEF will support the implementation of the programme in the City of Zagreb with the aim: 

1. To ensure the transfer of knowledge and capacity building of employees of the Center for successful implementation of the Programme in more than 25 pilot schools in the City of Zagreb;
2. To provide advisory and technical assistance and support to the Center in the implementation of the Programme to achieve the set shared goals;
3. To actively participate and contribute to the work of the Programme and Expert Committees;
4. To participate in the training of the Center’s employees and Programme mentors, as well as in the preparation of educational materials and the Handbook;
5. To promote dynamic exchange of knowledge and experiences related to the prevention of peer violence and ensure regular exchange of information on Programme implementation through the Programme Committee and Expert Committee;
6. To support the promotion and awareness raising of the importance of preventing violence against children by highlighting the Programme’s results to the professional and wider public, media, and in UNICEF’s communication activities, etc.;
7. To grant the Center the right to use all materials and the Handbook for further Programme implementation in schools, training of experts, etc., in accordance with the Programmer’s principles.

UNICEF is searching 5 experts – consultants (working group – task force) who will support the adaptation of the programme and provide expert technical assistance in the pilot of the programme and transfer of the know-how to the Community Service Counselling Center “Luka Ritz“

Type of work assignment 1: Brief desk review report with the list of recommendations for the programme adaptation. Workshops and training materials adapted and prepared. Participation in supervision meetings with expert team and gathered feedback on revised materials and wrokshops from key beneficiaries. Revised handbook for teachers and programme materials according to the results of the adaptation/pilot. Team of 3 persons will be contracted.

Type of work assignment 2: Adaptation and Finalisation of the questionnaire used in earlier iterations of the programme. Prepared an M&E framework and evaluability assessment report. Team of 2 persons will be contracted.

Type of work assignment 3: Tested adapted workshops in selected schools. Delivered pilot in 7 schools. Participation in supervision meetings with expert team. Team of 3 persons will be contracted.

Type of work assignment 4: Delivered training for professionals of Centre Luka Ritz to strengthene their capacities for the implementation of the adapted programme. Four (4) persons will be contracted with clear division of responsibilities.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF is searching for 5 consultants who will be engaged to support the process of adaptation of the Programme, revision of the Programme’s Handbook and transfer of know-how to Community Service Counselling Center “Luka Ritz“.

The contract duration is by 31.12.2024. The training and workshops will be delivered in Zagreb. No travel arrangements are planned.

Scope of Work/Objectives: 

Type of work assignment 1: Brief desk review report with the list of recommendations for the programme adaptation. Workshops and training materials adapted and prepared. Participation in supervision meetings with expert team and gathered feedback on revised materials and workshops from key beneficiaries. Revised handbook for teachers and programme materials according to the results of the adaptation/pilot. Team of 3 persons will be contracted.

• Ensure internal coordination the work of the expert team for the adaptation of the programme and provide expert advice in the process of programme adaptation (up to 1,5 days per month for 1 selected team leader)
• Review the existing Programme materials (Handbooks for teachers, booklet for parents, evaluation reports, findings of relevant research and studies, etc.) to gain an understanding of the programme (up to 3 days for selected team members)
• Based on this review and expert knowledge about violence among children, propose recommendations for the adaptation of the programme (with specific focus set of workshops related to cyberbullying prevention).
• Write new and/or adapt existing workshops and other new training materials for teachers, children and parents.
• Supporting the process of testing revised workshops in a selected number of pilot schools.
• Gather feedback from teachers and professionals during the implementation of the pilot and on the results of the pilot and integrate proposed changes into the final version of the revised Programme Handbook.
• Nurture a participatory approach of all engaged experts and professionals, as well as children, aligned with participation principles and child rights approach within the Programme.

Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline:	Estimated no. of days:
Ensure internal coordination the work of the expert team	Effective coordination maintained throughout the process of adaptation of the programme	By end of December 2024	Up to 15 days
Existing materials reviewed and proposal for adaptation completed	Brief desk review report with list of recommendations for the programme adaptation	By mid of March 2024	Up to 3 days for each selected team member
Write new and/or adapt existing workshops and other new training materials for teachers, children and parents	Prepared/adaptated revised 12 workshops.	By end of March 2024	Up to 6 days for each selected team member
Supporting test implementation of the revised materials and workshops	Gathered feedback from key beneficiaries.	By end of May 2024	Up to 6 days for each selected team member
Organize mentoring and supervision meetings with trainers	Up to 6 supervision meetings held with expert team.	By 10th June 2024	Up to 3 days for each selected team member
Revise Teacher’s handbook and programme materials according to the results of the adaptation/pilot	Revised handbook for teachers and programme materials according to the results of the adaptation/pilot	By end of December 2024	Up to 10 days for each selected team member

Type of work assignment 2: Adaptation and finalisation of the questionnaire used in earlier iterations of the programme. Prepared an M&E framework and evaluability assessment report. Team of 2 persons will be contracted.

• Support preparation of the revised questionnaire and the revised workshops by gathering and systematising inputs of the expert team and other professionals engaged in the adaptation process.
• Support development of M&E monitoring framework to ensure adequate monitoring mechanisms and enable future evaluation process.
• Conduct evaluability assessment of the programme in close cooperation with Centre Luka Ritz and UNICEF key staff.
• Nurture a participatory approach of all engaged experts and professionals, as well as children, aligned with participation principles and child rights approach within the Programme.
• Strengthen the capacities of the Centre Luka Ritz for a continuous monitoring of the programme implementation, quality assurance and improvement of the programme based on gathered monitoring evidence, and evaluation processes.

Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline:	Estimated no. of days:
Adaptation of the questionnaire used in the 1st step of the programme	Finalized questionnaire	By mid-March 2024	Up to 2 days for each selected team member
Support development of M&E monitoring framework and conduct evaluability assessment of the programme	Prepared M&E monitoring framework and evaluability assessment report	By end of September 2024	Up to 2 days for each selected team member

Type of work assignment 3: Tested adapted workshops in selected schools. Delivered pilot in 7 schools. Participation in supervision meetings with expert team. Team of 3 persons will be contracted.

• Participate in the process of testing revised workshops in a selected number of pilot schools.
• Gather feedback from teachers and professionals during the implementation of the pilot and on the results of the pilot and integrate proposed changes into the final version of the revised Programme Handbook.
• Nurture a participatory approach of all engaged experts and professionals, as well as children, aligned with participation principles and child rights approach within the Programme.

Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline:	Estimated no. of days:
Supporting test implementation of the revised materials and workshops	Gathered feedback from key beneficiaries	By end of May 2024	Up to 6 days for each selected team member
Participate in mentoring and supervision meetings with trainers	Up to 6 supervision meetings held with expert team	By10th June 2024	Up to 3 days for each selected team member
Pilot programme in 7 schools.	Training of teachers and pilot of the programme in 7 selected schools completed	By end of 2025	Up to 6 days per school for each selected team member (depending on the size of the school and no. of teachers)

Type of work assignment 4: Delivered training for professionals of Centre Luka Ritz to strengthene their capacities for the implementation of the adapted programme. Four (4) persons will be contracted with clear division of responsibilities.

• Ensure regular exchange of information with members of the expert team and key responsible staff in UNICEF and Centre “Luka Ritz”.
• Strengthen the capacities of the Centre Luka Ritz for a continuous monitoring of the programme implementation, quality assurance and improvement of the programme based on gathered monitoring evidence, and evaluation processes.

Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline:	Estimated no. of days:
Prepare technical inputs, support organization and delivery of training for programme mentors and trainers.	Prepared training materials.	By end of June 2024	Up to 6 days for each selected team member.
Deliver training for professionals of Centre Luka Ritz to strengthen their capacities for the implementation of the adapted programme.	Delivered 6 day training divided in 2 modules for professionals of Centre Luka Ritz	By end of August 2024	Up to 6 days for each selected team member.

How to apply

To apply, it is mandatory to create and/or update your profile at the UNICEF vacancy portal and include a Financial Proposal in your application by indicating your availability and a lumpsum to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a financial proposal and outside the UNICEF vacancy portal will not be considered.

This post is reposted, and previous applicants should refrain from reapplying as their original application will be duly considered.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in psychology, pedagogy, social pedagogy, child protection, education and/or related sciences.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 10 years of combined experience in following areas: prevention programmes and child rights, working in a school environment, delivering trainings to teachers and other professionals, and programme monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in English and Croatian is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Specific technical knowledge required: knowledge of children’s issues in Croatia; knowledge of the scope of the professional responsibilities of teachers, principals, the expert team in schools, knowledge and understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; knowledge of the subject of violence against and among children, including cyberviolence; familiarity with prevention programmes concepts, methodology and objectives; knowledge of the principle of gender equality.
• Other skills required: excellent organizational, presentation and communication skills; good multi-cultural and interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels, commitment to adhere to UNICEF Code of Conduct; a self-motivated person with strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure; good negotiation and presentation skills; proactivity and strong orientation towards results; proven written skills.
• Other technical knowledge to be acquired/enhanced: UN common approaches to
  programmatic issues, knowledge of the latest developments and trends in violence prevention programmes.
• Previous experience in work related to violence prevention is preferred.
• Skills for undertaking quantitative and qualitative research in a school environment is preferred.
• Experience of working with children who are vulnerable is preferred. Understanding of cyberbullying and the online behaviour of children and young people is preferred.

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. 

Remarks:  

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

This post is reposted, and previous applicants should refrain from reapplying as their original application will be duly considered.

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. 

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