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, empowerment.

UNICEF Country Office (CO) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is at the forefront of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of adolescents, particularly focusing on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), violence prevention, and gender equality. Collaborating closely with government entities, civil society organizations, and youth-led initiatives, UNICEF BiH implements a range of programs designed to address the diverse needs of adolescents. As part of the Adolescent Girls Programme Strategy, this implementation research seeks to establish a multi-country research initiative tailored to investigate the programmatic approaches to and the vulnerabilities faced by adolescent girls in BiH. The research implementation is designed in a way to ensure comparability between countries, featuring core implementation research questions and methods shared across BiH, Peru, and Morocco.

In BiH, UNICEF’s Adolescent Girls Programme focuses on increasing awareness of available services and rights among adolescents for the three thematic areas: mental health, violence, and social norms. Programme included initiatives such as providing in-service training for school professionals, professionals at the mental health centers, centers for social welfare, professionals working on the Blue Phone initiative, and strengthening referrals to health and social welfare systems. One specific knowledge product which was created within the programme was the Teacher’s Praktikum, which is a result of cooperation between students, school professionals and UNICEF’s implementing partners. Programmatic activities within this programme strongly focus on adolescent’s and youth participation in programme design and implementation. Additionally, partnerships with the IT business sector and ministries of education through “IT Girls” initiative offer opportunities for girls to enhance their digital skills and access quality education.

UNICEF BiH CO is seeking an experienced Team Leader/Individual Consultant to lead the research project focused on adolescent girls and boys in collaboration with the Research Team. The Research Team will consist of approximately 10 students from universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research activities will provide a unique opportunity for the students to enhance their skills and capacities, while also giving them a chance to connect with their peers from the country.

 How can you make a difference?

The Team Leader will supervise the project team, overseeing research from design to report drafting, focusing on adolescent mental health, violence prevention, and gender equality in BiH. He/she will provide training, guidance, and policy recommendations based on findings to enhance UNICEF’s programming for adolescents. This research aims to improve adolescents’ lives in BiH and aligns with UNICEF’s global mission. Upholding ethical standards, the Team Leader will prioritize the protection and dignity of all involved. Their dedication will drive positive change, empowering adolescents in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Under the supervision of the Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, and in close cooperation with the Research Assistant, the Team Leader/Individual Consultant will:

1. Serve as Team Leader of the Research Team:

• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Research Team, comprising of approximately 10 students;
• Provide support in the training sessions on data collection methods, survey administration, and qualitative research techniques to enhance team members’ skills;
• Offer hands-on guidance to students during data collection activities to ensure quality and consistency.

2. Lead the Research Design Process:

• Collaborate closely with the Research Team to develop a robust research design aligned with project goals and objectives.
• Design methodologies, sampling strategies, and data collection tools tailored to address research questions effectively.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards and best practices throughout the research design phase.

3. Lead Fieldwork and Data Collection:

• Take the lead in organizing and executing fieldwork activities, with support of UNICEF Research Assistant, ensuring adherence to research protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Conduct interviews and focus group discussions, with support from the Research Team;
• Assign key roles in focus group discussions according to students’ proficiency, ensuring quality of the data collection at the same time.

4. Lead Data Analysis Process:

• Conduct and oversee the data analysis process, ensuring the application of appropriate analytical methods and techniques.
• Assign data analysis tasks to Research Team in collaboration with professors/mentors, considering their capacities and skills.

5. Draft Research Report:

• Lead on the drafting of the research report, ensuring clarity, coherence, and alignment with research objectives;
• Define and delegate portions of the report to be written by Research Team based on their data collection experience and capacities.

6. Provide Policy and Advocacy Recommendations:

• Based on research findings, formulate policy and advocacy recommendations to support UNICEF’s future programming on adolescent girls and boys;
• Integrate recommendations into the final research report to inform decision-making and program development.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master or higher) in Sociology, Psychology, Public health, Anthropology, or another related social science discipline.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in research and/or policy analysis, with a focus on social research, adolescent development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research projects from conception to completion, including research design, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Proficient in analyzing complex data sets using quantitative and qualitative methods. – Skilled in statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA) and qualitative data analysis software.
• Experience in facilitating consultations with government representatives, adolescents and children, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for reports, presentations, and training sessions.
• Previous exposure to areas of work relevant to UNICEF programmes – such as social and child protection, health, education, early childhood development is considered an asset.

Additional Skills & Functional Competencies

• Strong leadership abilities in guiding research teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Proficient in task delegation, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Experience in translating research into policy recommendations for program development and advocacy efforts.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language required.

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.

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.