Social Policy Consultant (International)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and gender parity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

UNICEF Serbia country programme is focused on: (a) young child health and wellbeing; (b) quality and inclusive pre-university education, including early childhood education and care (ECEC); (c) child protection; (d) young people and (e) social policy, public financing and child rights monitoring. Serbia’s economy has largely sustained the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, spiking international energy prices and a slowing global economy. The effects of new pressures like accelerating inflation, driven predominantly by higher food and energy prices, and the expected slowing growth on income and consumption are likely to substantially impact households in the country and, more so, poor families with children and other vulnerable households, potentially worsening a situation that was already far from ideal.

The at-risk-of-poverty rate for the general population in 2021 reduced to within the EU average (21.2 per cent), although inequality in Serbia remains high. Unfortunately, public spending on social assistance is not meeting the needs of the poorest households with children. Public participation in the budget process remains one of the lowest in the world, and there is limited qualitative assessment and debate about the budget among stakeholders.

Work Assignment Overview:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support UNICEF Serbia in advancing the social policy agenda. The consultancy will be part-time, including part remote work and part office presence.

Duration of the assignment: October 2023 – December 2024 (part-time, hybrid)

Task description:

1. Conducting data-driven analyses for effective prioritization, planning, development, and results-based management.
2. Maintaining effective partnerships with the Government and other stakeholders to enable sustained and proactive commitment to child-focused policies.
3. Advising on a broad range of social policy areas and supporting UNICEF’s response to the agreed policies (including planning, adjusting, and scaling-up specific social policies).
4. Coordinating with UNICEF staff and consultants at the Regional and Country levels in the development of programme policy and strategy to address priority issues in the area of social policy, and supporting strategic stock-taking of the social policy portfolio with external partners as part of the Country Office Programme Review.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• University degree in Economics, Social Policy or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in social protection, both internationally and within the Europe and Central Asia region.
• Proven expertise in social policy.
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills.
• Excellent knowledge of English; knowledge of Serbian language is considered an asset.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in USD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Daily rate (all costs included, e.g. health insurance, pension, usage of mobile phone),
2. Travel to Serbia (up to 10 visits are expected; please state a price per visit),
3. Daily travel allowance for an overnight stay in Belgrade,
4. Daily travel allowance for an overnight stay in Serbia,
5. Transportation costs per km (for travel within Serbia).

Important notes:

• Please do not forget to specify your name in the financial proposal file while saving (to be uploaded online under the “Financial Proposal” tab).
• Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a” or “00" under the fee-related questions in the online application form.
• Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.