Home-based: Consultant for Crisis Response, Emergency Planning and Preparedness (52 working days within 6 months) - ECARO

UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO) is looking for a qualified Crisis Response, Emergency Planning and Preparedness Consultant (national OR international) to support municipalities in Slovakia in strengthening emergency preparedness, crisis response planning, and the transition from temporary protection measures to sustainable, long-term inclusion of refugee and migrant children and their caregivers, within the framework of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project.

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, the right to protection and inclusion.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to support municipalities in Slovakia in strengthening crisis response and emergency preparedness, and in planning the transition from the Temporary Protection Directive towards sustainable, long-term inclusion of refugee and migrant children and their caregivers, within the framework of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project, through the development of practical SOPs, recommendations and transition scenarios that promote inclusive, shock-responsive and child-focused service delivery.

Context

Before the Ukraine refugee crises, Slovakia has not been a traditional final destination for refugees and migrants. Since the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, more than 162,200 refugees from Ukraine have applied for temporary protection or asylum in Slovakia. Municipalities in Slovakia have promptly responded to the challenge of welcoming large numbers of refugee children and women from Ukraine and providing support to address their basic needs. Cities of Nitra and Bratislava now host up to 47% of refugees from Ukraine with granted temporary protection in Slovakia. The share of migrants and refugees in both cities increased from 7-8% in 2020 up to 14-15% of the overall population in 2023.

Since the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, more than 162,200 refugees from Ukraine have applied for temporary protection or asylum in Slovakia, with municipalities responding to the arrival of large numbers of refugee children and women. Cities of Nitra and Bratislava now host up to 47% of refugees with temporary protection, with the share of migrants and refugees increasing from 7–8% of the population in 2020 to 14–15% in 2023. The EU Temporary Protection Directive, in place since March 2022, is currently active until March 2026 and extended until March 2027, with an expected termination thereafter. In parallel, the anticipated lifting of the national state of emergency will require approximately 60,000 foreigners to renew residence permits and around 130,000 people under temporary protection to transition to other residence statuses.

The increased presence of refugee children and caregivers has placed additional pressure on social, education and health services that were already overstretched, while municipalities continue efforts to move from emergency response towards long-term inclusion through coordination mechanisms, needs assessments and local inclusion strategies. To address ongoing challenges, municipalities in Slovakia, together with partners in Poland and Romania, requested support under the EU Technical Support Instrument (TSI). The multi-country request was approved by the European Commission, with UNICEF selected as the partner for implementation.

To support delivery of the EU-funded TSI project, UNICEF ECARO will engage a Crisis Response, Emergency Planning and Preparedness Consultant to provide technical support to municipalities in Slovakia, including the development of practical SOPs, recommendations, transition scenarios and capacity-building activities.

Scope of Work

1. Production of tailored SOPs and recommendation guidelines for adaptation of the current modus-operandi for local emergency preparedness and expansion of comprehensive social policy support for shock-affected population (TSI Output 5)
   
   To support municipalities preparedness, adaptive planning, budgeting readiness to mobilize support and quickly expand social policy support, public, social and child protection services, in case of future migration or refugee crisis, a tailored guidelines document with practical recommendations to address displacements shocks through broad social policy response, will be developed. The document will include dedicated focus on children and their caregivers. Focusing on the specific established needs of target beneficiaries (disability, gender, ethnicity, language, etc.), intersecting vulnerabilities and integrated response, and adhering to the principles of inclusion, the document will serve to support local level strategic planning and adaptive response.
   
   The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be developed together with municipality representatives and Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV), implementing partners in the project. This activity complements the ongoing work to revise Bratislava contingency plan and develop a practical data collection tool for migration-related emergencies SAV. For both guidelines/recommendations and SOPs close collaboration with municipal representatives and respective staff working on the TSI is expected.
   
   
2. Support municipal planning of the response following the termination of Temporary Protection Directive (TSI output 5)
   
   Following the anticipated termination of Temporary Protection Directive, it will be necessary to adequately transition to the post-TP response. At the foreground of the response and the transition, the municipalities and refugee population face increased risks and challenges, related to the change of TP status to other status regimes, financing of the response, workforce needs, and other.
   
   The consultancy will analyze the current situation of refugees within the Slovak system, including their rights and responsibilities under the TP directive, the opportunities to align with the EU Council recommendations, and develop scenarios as to plan and prepare for the transition and to sustainably safeguard the rights of refugees and their long-term inclusion as in the Slovak municipalities. The scenarios will support to ascertain and address the budget, staff, space, and other needs, and to operationalize recommendations directly applicable to municipalities in the immediate transitional period.
   
   
3. Capacity building for municipalities and service delivery institutions on emergency preparedness and long-term inclusion of refugees and migrants (TSI output 7)
   
   Within the scope of TSI project, capacity building in the form of training will be organized for Bratislava and Nitra municipality and relevant service delivery institutions. The capacity building will serve to support mid-to long term inclusion of migrant and refugee children and their caregivers into service delivery systems.
   
   Recommendations on shock-responsive strategic planning and response will be presented and discussed as part of the broader training. The capacity building activity is tentatively planned for May 2026. Capacity building be organized in collaboration with the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV). Furthermore, support with organization and delivery of final Slovakia TSI workshop planned for June 2026 will be expected from a national consultancy.

The consultant is expected to work closely with municipalities in Slovakia, UNICEF and national partners to strengthen emergency preparedness, crisis response planning and the transition towards long-term inclusion of refugee and migrant children and their caregivers. The work will include supporting the development of practical SOPs, recommendation guidelines and transition scenarios, as well as contributing to capacity-building activities for municipalities and service delivery institutions. The consultant will collaborate regularly with municipal representatives and implementing partners, including the Slovak Academy of Sciences, to ensure that preparedness measures, planning processes and service delivery responses are inclusive, shock-responsive and aligned with the needs and rights of displaced children and caregivers.

Estimated Duration of the Contract

52 working days (55 working days if national consultant) between January 2026 and June 2026

Work Modality and Travel Arrangements

The consultancy is remote/home-based. The assignment is part-time and will be carried out over a period of six months between January and June 2026. The consultancy is open to both international and national consultants, with an estimated input of 52 working days for an international consultant or 55 working days for a national consultant.

For international consultants not based in Slovakia, consultations under activities 1 and 2 are expected to be conducted online. Travel to Bratislava for the capacity-building activity under activity 3 in May 2026 may be agreed, or alternatively conducted remotely, subject to programme needs. Approved international travel expenses, including flights, will be reimbursed upon submission of an invoice and clearance by the Supervisor.

For national consultants based in Slovakia, activities will be implemented primarily through in-country engagement, with in-person participation in capacity-building activities in Bratislava foreseen as required. Local travel costs, where applicable and approved, will be reimbursed in line with UNICEF procedures.

Travel Clause

• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants apply.
• All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
• The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSAFE certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are 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.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 52 working days (55 working days for national consultants) to undertake this assignment.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Master's in public administration, emergency management, crisis and security management , social and behavioral science, international relations or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in analysis and technical assistance to strengthen social policy/protection system and measures at the national and/or local levels.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in social policy/ and protection in emergency situations, emergency preparedness and planning.
• Minimum 2 years of experience developing SOPs, preparedness strategies/recommendations and manuals.
• Experience working with Slovak systems, including municipalities/local governments in support of refugee and migrant children and caregivers.
• Fluency of English is required.

Desirables:

• Experience working with UNICEF/UN is a strong asset.
• Experience working on Ukraine refugee response is a strong asset.
• Familiarity of TSI is an asset.
• International experience is an asset.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an asset.
• Fluency of Slovak is an asset. Ability to read/understand Slavic languages is an asset.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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 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.

Remarks:  

Please submit a fully completed online profile/application form, CV, a Cover Letter, and a financial proposal (in USD) in your application. Applications submitted without a professional fee 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.