Part-time Individual Contractor (home-based in Bratislava, Slovakia): Project Coordinator - Europe and Central Asia Regional Office

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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

Purpose of the Assignment

UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) is hiring a project coordinator to support the implementation of the EU-funded project in Slovakia.

Scope of Work

To support Slovakia with the implementation of the reforms, the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European Commission has decided to fund the request of the Slovak Government and provide technical support to Slovakia, together with UNICEF. The technical support will be provided in the area of realization of children’s rights, with the purpose of ensuring social inclusion of children with disabilities who are in the substitute care system. This will be done through strengthening the system’s capacity in setting standards and enhancing the enabling environment for the children to achieve their potential and enjoy all their rights.

The project coordinator will serve as liaison between UNICEF (ECARO) and the team of the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (MoLSAF) of the Slovak Republic, and provide close support to the implementation of the project’s activities. Such support includes admin/ logistical support for organization of in-country missions of UNICEF’s experts, facilitation of various working meetings with the MoLSAF and other stakeholders, coordination of additional services (e.g., translation, printing, venue, etc.). Besides, it is expected that the project coordinator will provide technical support through reviewing the working documents (produced by international experts) in English and in Slovak to ensure correct use of terminology as per the key legislative documents on child legal protection and substitute care system for children in Slovak Republic. The specific tasks expected from the project coordinator are described further in the document (details of all tasks and activities will be discussed in more detail with the selected candidate). It is important to notice that project coordinator will have to work very closely with the team of the MoLSAF of Slovakia along the implementation of all activities. Being UNICEF’s focal point in the country, the project coordinator will be responsible for overall logistics and admin support of the project in the Slovak Republic in accordance with rules and regulations of UNICEF. For example, before a final commitment is made with a third party for delivery of specific service (e.g., translation), the national coordinator will have to seek approval/clearance from UNICEF ECARO.

Finally, it is expected to have regular calls with UNICEF ECARO to review progress, challenges and next steps. Ad-hoc calls may take place as deemed necessary. All reports to be submitted in electronic format by email to UNICEF Regional Child Protection Specialist in English.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks / Milestone******Deliverables / Outputs******Timeline / DeadlineActing as a key focal point for the organization of various working meetings/workshops/events in the Slovak Republic related to the project’s activities (in close consultation with UNICEF ECARO and in accordance with UNICEF rules and regulations for outsourcing vendors, service providers).Admin/logistical support with identifying the venue/catering/translation/interpretation, Draft agendas and the lists of participants, sending out invitations (in consultation with the team of MoLSAF and UNICEF)ContinuousActing as a rapporteur during the meetings/workshops when and if necessary and in agreement with the international experts, drafting minutes and reports in coordination with UNICEF team.Minutes, reports, correspondence, etc., for various events/meetings, activitiesProvide necessary technical expertise and admin support for all activities of the project(i) Organisation of the scoping mission and a kick-off meeting: in consultation with the MoLSAF and UNICEF teams provide inputs to the mission agenda, support in organising meetings (ii) Support with the development and testing of a model of inclusion for children with disabilities in substitute care system (iii) Support with the development of a new national framework on the right to inclusion of children with disabilities in substitute care - and an action plan for the transition from the current state of play towards an inclusive model for care and support (iv) Support with the development of the training content (materials) and facilitation of a training for the MoLSAF; if needed, adjust to possible to -face-to-face alternative options of conducting the trainings under the guidance of the international expertsSupporting international experts with the assessment of the current practices, mechanisms and gaps in the areas of inclusion of children with disabilities in substitute care(i) logistical support for in-country mission – in close contact with UNICEF team (ii) provision of inputs to the draft documents produced by international experts, including testing the assessment tools (iii) provision of technical support (i.e., translating materials, providing (desk research) the international experts with related documents such as legislation and EU legally binding documents, materials produced by the CSO sector and other organizations, previous research analyses, etc.) (iv) supporting with the collection of qualitative and quantitate data for the assessment, preliminary analysis, preparing supporting documentation (research graphs), verifying the assessment outcomes (v) maintenance of close contact with MoLSAF team and UNICEF for coordination of joint activities during the assessment (vi) ensure quality control over the translations of the key documents necessary for the assessment (vii) assist with hiring a junior researcherIn the final month of the project, a closing event will be organized in order to (i) present the final proposals and products developed; (ii) to take stock of the progress and results achieved throughout the project(i) Organization of the closing event (everything related to admin/logistical aspects of the event) which will take place in Bratislava with support from MoLSAF (ii) Logistical support for UNICEF team traveling to Bratislava, and potential support with organisation of side meetings with the MoLSAF while in the country (iii) Provision of inputs to the agenda, list of participants, the final report, and so onEstimated Duration of the Contract

50%; between December 2022 and October 2023

Individual Contractor's Work Place and Official Travel

The assignment will be home-based in Bratislava, Slovakia. The Individual Contractor is required on a part-time basis for the period of the contract.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made monthly, according to the number of days worked each month, and based on submission of monthly invoices by the individual contractor. Please indicate a monthly fee (in USD) in your application to undertake this assignment. The invoices should be accompanied by a brief report that states the key monthly deliverables and the number of days worked throughout that month.

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. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future

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

• Bachelor's degree in international development, human rights, social work, sociology, or another relevant social science field.
• Proven experience in successful coordination of similar projects and project management.
• At least six years of professional work experience in substitute care/children with disabilities/social inclusion.
• Knowledge and/or good understanding of the system of substitute care of children/De-institutionalisation/child disability in Slovak Republic, and recent reforms in these areas is an asset.
• Knowledge and/or experience in conducting research or managing research project is an asset.
• Knowledge and/or experience in delivery of the trainings is an asset.
• Good knowledge/understanding of the local environment of different stakeholders and service providers (key ministries engaged in substitute care/children with disabilities, etc.).
• Ability to deliver unofficial translation (English-Slovak-English) when necessary.
• Good networking and collaboration skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Slovak languages (able to provide unofficial translation and interpretation from English to Slovak and back), with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to be flexible and deliver results under tight deadlines.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office applications.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Please include a full CV and Financial Proposal in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and monthly rate (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a monthly rate will not be considered. 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.