Young Child Wellbeing Consultant (local consultancy) 1 July - 31 October 2018

Support to the development of the new 2018-2022 Strategy for early childhood development in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (local consultancy)

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 overarching goal of the 2015-2019 UNICEF Joint Country Programme of Cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina is to support the efforts of BiH to accelerate the universal realization of child rights by fostering greater social inclusion, especially of the most vulnerable and excluded children and families: children with disabilities, children of minorities, especially Roma, and children in impoverished communities. The Country Programme is organised along four programme areas: (1) Child rights monitoring and social protection and inclusion, and (2) Child Protection and Justice for Children, (3) Inclusive Quality Education and (4) Young Child Wellbeing.

Under the Young Child Wellbeing output related to policy level interventions, UNICEF has agreed with the Federal Ministry of Education to provide technical assistance for the development of the new Strategy for Early Childhood Development (ECD) for the period 2018 - 2022. 

Given that UNICEF’s Country Programme for BiH 2015 -2019 is committed to improving early childhood development and ensure support to children with disabilities, who are identified as one of the most vulnerable groups of children in BiH, the new Strategy will provide an important tool for the Governments to enable addressing the issues of concern in the areas of health, social and child protection, education, early identification and referral and to strengthen early childhood development services for all, with UNICEF’s strategic support.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the assignment:

The consultant will, under UNICEF’s guidance, provide technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Education and Science (FMoES) and multi sectoral working group in the development of the new Strategy for the early childhood development 2018 – 2022 in the Federation BiH.

Major Tasks to be accomplished:

Under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Health and Early Childhood Development Specialist, and in close cooperation with the Social Policy Specialist, Education Specialist, M&E Specialist, Child Protection Officer and FMoES, the consultant will provide technical assistance to the multi sectoral working group in the development of the new Early Childhood Development Strategy for the period 2018 -2022.

More specifically, the consultant is expected to do the following:

1. Preparatory phase:

• Desk analysis of any  available evaluations and other reports related to the implementation of the current Strategic plan for Improving Early Childhood Development in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2013 –2017;
• Prepare a presentation of the UNICEF Early Moments Matter for Every Child report the with a special focus on the priority issues and present it to the Working group;

2. Development of the new Strategy:

• Participate in meetings/workshops of the Working group established by the Federal Government and provide guidance and technical support in the development of the new Strategy document for the area of early childhood development in FBiH for the period 2018-2022, based on the following criteria: Strategy needs to be in line with the requirements and current situation in the area of early childhood development in FBiH as well as the priorities from the UNICEF Early Moments Matter for Every Child report and other relevant international and EU reports.
• Develop and present the methodology for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Strategy for early childhood development of FBiH 2018 – 2022, which will be included into the Strategy document;
• Coordinate and maintain the regular flow of information between FMoE, UNICEF and other stakeholders;

3. Finalization of the new Strategy:

• Collect and compile the sectorial proposals and inputs for the new Strategy;
• Provide technical assistance in the process of public presentations of the new Strategy to the cantonal institutions, parent association, relevant civil society organizations,  UNICEF and other stakeholders;
• Compile the final text of the agreed Strategy document;

4. Presentation of the final Strategy document:

• Present the final Strategy document to the Working Group, representatives of the cantonal institutions, organizations of persons with disabilities, UNICEF and other stakeholders, at the final Conference which will be organized at the Federal level.

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

• Advanced University degree in Health, Education, Social work or a related field;
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in the area of young child wellbeing.
• Strong communication, writing and interpersonal skills;
• Strong planning and organisational skills;
• Fluency in English and local languages required;
• Previous experience with the UN is an asset.
• Experience in advocating for the improvement of early childhood development and inclusion and the improvement of the situation of families and children is an asset
• Experience in working with the governmental and non-governmental sectors on similar tasks is an asset
• For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Please indicate your ability, availability and lump sum amount (in USD or BAM) to undertake the terms of reference above.  Maximum number of working days for this consultancy is 50. 

For further details please contact Human Resources at UNICEF Office in Sarajevo, Ms. Marina Kadic at 387 33 293 606, mkadic@unicef.org