Contract

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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, a fair chance.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: The United Nations in Montenegro i.e., UNDP, UNICEF, and Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) have been implementing a two-year UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) funded program to promote the rights of children and persons with disabilities in the country. The program aims to support the state institutions and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) to advance the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and disability inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as pre-conditions for disability inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, service delivery, CRPD compliant budgeting, and increased accountability.

The initiative aims to support the Government to prevent institutionalization and take key steps to facilitate the transition of persons with disabilities from institutions to family and community-based services and facilitate closer engagement between OPDs and the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) - The Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms - to monitor implementation of CRPD. Also, the Project is supposed to assist the UN to ensure strong disability inclusion in the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF) for the period 2023-2027 and in the Common Country Analysis which served as a basis for the SDCF development. The program`s key dimension is meaningful participation of children with disabilities and their parents, and persons with disabilities in all activities at all stages.

The initiative was originally planned to be implemented in the period January 2022-December 2023, however the UNPRPD Secretariat has approved 6 months non-costs project extension, so that some of the delayed activities may be implemented in a proper and quality manner. From this reason, UNICEF seeks for a half time UNPRPD Project Consultant to provide technical support to the Government of Montenegro, Ombudsperson’s Institution and DPOS to implement Joint UN program Accelerating Disability Inclusion for Children and Adults with Disabilities. The consultant will be focusing on remaining activities belonging to UNICEF and OHCHR components, with a focus on prevention of institutionalization, capacity building of main stakeholders, further strengthening of capacities of Institution of the Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms to maintain and sustain the Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) for joint monitoring of CRPD implementation, in active cooperation with representatives of organizations of persons with disability and following up the implementation of the recommendations from the OPDs led Analysis on the level of inclusion of children and persons with disabilities in UN programmes and activities.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work: Under the direct supervision of UNICEF Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation (CRME) Specialist, and in close cooperation with UN RC Office, the consultant is expected to support: - strengthening implementation of the CRPD and SDGs in the country. - strengthening service delivery, and accountability of services providers and duty bearers. - provide support the Government of Montenegro and key stakeholders in preventing institutionalization and taking key steps to facilitate the transition of children with disabilities from institutional to family and community-based care. - facilitating closer cooperation between OPDs and the Institution of the Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms in monitoring the implementation of CRPD. - supporting the implementation of the recommendations of the OPDs led Analysis on the level of inclusion of children and persons with disabilities in UN programmes and activities. - preparing and submitting the joint final report to UNPRPD Technical Secretariat. More specifically, the national consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks: • Provide support to the international consultant and Programme consultant in defining minimum package of services for children with disabilities and their families, and development of SOPs for cross-sectoral coordination. • Support the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in preventing institutionalization and transition of children with disabilities from institutional to family and community-based care through supporting the development of standards for foster care centres and piloting/establishing the first Centre for Foster Care in Montenegro. • Support the Institution of the Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms in continuous strengthening of the CRPD implementation, IMM and capacity building for its members. • Support the UN in Montenegro to implement the recommendations from the OPDs led Analysis of the level of inclusion of persons with disabilities in their programs and activities. • Communication with the UN Joint Communication team in Montenegro to ensure visibility of the implemented activities. • Communication with the Joint UN Program team in Montenegro and the Technical Secretariat of the UNPRPD for inquiries, guidance, and reporting. • Support organization of at least one meeting and functioning of the Project Steering Committee. • Prepare the final Project report to be submitted to UNPRPD Technical Secretariat. The consultant will be supervised by UNICEF CRME Specialist, while she/he will also closely cooperate with the members of the Joint UN program team.

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Provide support to the international consultant and Programme consultant in defining minimum package of services for children with disabilities and their families, and development of SOP for cross-sectoral coordination

• Support and comments provided to the analysis and SOP for cross-sectoral coordination drafted by international consultant

By end November 2023

Technical assistance to International Consultant to support development of standards for specialized foster care and piloting/establishing of the first Foster Care Centre in Montenegro

• Up to 3 online/offline consultations/meetings organized with participation of at least 20 stakeholders for development of standards, statutory documentation, and relevant report for the first Foster Care Centre in Montenegro

By end January 2024

Continuous support to the Institution of the Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms in strengthening of the CRPD implementation, IMM and capacity building for its members, organization of meetings, provision of guidance, ensuring interlinkages with UN and UNICEF programming

• Up to 3 IMM field visits organized
• Functioning of the IMM monitored monthly

By end June 2024

Support the UN in Montenegro to implement the recommendations from the OPDs led Analysis of the level of inclusion of persons with disabilities in their programs and activities

• The UN staff plan/s for the implementation of recommendations from the OPDs led Analysis drafted and implementation followed up

By end February 2023

Communication with the Joint UN Program team in Montenegro

• Up to 7 monthly project team meetings organized and meetings ‘minutes prepared

By end June 2024

Communication with the Technical Secretariat of the UNPRPD

• At least 1 meeting for addressing inquiries, guidance and reporting organized and follow up ensured

By end April 2024

Communication with the UN Joint Communication team in Montenegro to ensure visibility of the implemented activities

• Presentation on implemented activities prepared and updated, information for the UN Snapshot, newsletters, etc. prepared at least once in two months

By end June 2024

Support organization of at least one meeting and functioning of the Project Steering Committee

• Presentation of the Programme progress drafted
• At least one Steering Committee meeting organized
• Minutes from the meeting delivered to Steering Committee members

By end April 2024

Prepare the final Project report to be submitted to UNPRPD Technical Secretariat

• Final report developed and submitted to UNPRPD

By end June 2024

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

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social science • A minimum of two years of professional work experience in coordination, planning, implementation and/or monitoring of programmes/projects. • Sound knowledge and familiarity with CRPD. • Extensive experience in working with OPDs and children and persons with disabilities. • Experience in working with UN joint programmes is an asset. • Knowledge of the social inclusion, child protection, health, and education in programming with children with disabilities is an asset.

Language • Excellent command of local language (spoken and written). • Excellent knowledge of English language.

Other • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • Excellent writing skills. • Demonstrated tact and high sense of responsibility and discretion. • Demonstrates integrity and high ethical standards. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Persons with disabilities, particularly women with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply. All UNICEF personnel (staff members, consultants, UN Volunteers, interns, etc.) who identify as having a disability and need accommodations for their work tasks can submit a request for reasonable accommodation. In addition, reasonable accommodation can be provided to job applicants who have a disability. It is important to note the cost implications: All candidates with disabilities applying for jobs and needing accommodations can request it to the HR focal point or hiring manager. The need will be raised by the candidate on their job application in TMS via two optional questions on (1) self-identification as a person with a disability, (2) need for accommodation.

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.