UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a future.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this assignment is to ensure sustained, structured and quality-assured field-level implementation of the three-year EU4People Action on Social Protection across 40 partner locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Given the geographic scope of the programme, the diversity of institutional arrangements, and the varying capacities of municipalities, Centres for Social Work and local service providers, dedicated technical support is required to translate programme objectives into practical improvements in local service delivery, coordination and planning.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0006496 External ToR.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Secondary education, preferably supplemented by relevant training, or university degree in social sciences;

Work Experience:

Minimum five years of relevant professional experience in social protection, child protection, social services, local governance, community-based service delivery, programme implementation.
Strong experience in stakeholder coordination with local authorities, Centres for Social Work, service providers, civil society organizations and/or development partners.
Experience in monitoring, reporting, risk identification and preparation of concise implementation reports.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Strong understanding of social protection, child protection, local governance and community-based service delivery in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Strong planning, organizational and coordination skills.
Demonstrated stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
Ability to work effectively with local authorities, Centres for Social Work, service providers and other local stakeholders.
Ability to work independently across multiple field locations and manage competing priorities.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to identify implementation bottlenecks and propose practical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and produce concise, high-quality written reports.
Valid driving licence and ability to self-drive to a minimum of five target locations.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken local languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Desirables:

Previous experience with UNICEF, UN agencies or EU-funded programmes.
Understanding of UNICEF’s mandate, brand and programme standards.
General knowledge of UN and UNICEF procedures and programming principles.
Prior experience supporting social protection reform, integrated service delivery or local social protection planning.
Experience coordinating or quality-assuring the work of field-based teams or consultants.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Adaptability, resourcefulness and ability to work effectively in changing field conditions.
Approachable and collaborative working style.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0006496 Financial proposal template.docx
Applicants are requested to submit a Technical Proposal (maximum 5 pages) outlining the understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, work plan, deliverables, relevant experience and innovative approaches if any.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

National Consultants for Field Implementation of the EU4People Social Protection Programme, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Remote with travel, 21 months