Local Consultant - Social Protection and Inclusion (SPI), support to SPI model implementation, UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina, February 2020 – March 2021

Under the overall supervision of Social Protection Specialist, the national individual consultant will provide technical assistance in the implementation of the Social Protection and Inclusion model in 4 new target locations. The main elements of the assignment will include intensive advocacy and technical assistance to 4 multisectoral SPI Commissions and social care services providers, aimed at improving and sustaining the social protection and inclusion services for children with disabilities and their families.

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, Inclusion

Relevant authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNICEF have jointly developed and implemented a Social Protection and Inclusion model in 34 % of Municipalities. The SPI model is designed to contribute to the eradication of social exclusion, child poverty, discrimination and inequality in accessing basic social protection services in local communities, and to meet international obligations related to child rights. Key strategies under the SPI model are to strengthen systems and apply a holistic, multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral approach to defining the priorities, policies and means of implementation of quality social protection and inclusion policies and services.

The SPI model has been developed as a comprehensive, multifaceted and long-term intervention, with incremental changes achieved in all important areas of social protection and inclusion policies and services for children. These include efforts: 1) to strengthen the expertise of relevant institutions; 2) to improve planning and implementation of social protection, care and inclusion policies for children; 3) to ensure outreach and inclusion of children and young people through participation; 4) build innovative services and approaches to early childhood development, child protection and inclusive education; and 5) to encourage and institutionalise referral mechanism and cooperation between decision-makers, service providers and other relevant institutions working to protect and care for children.

As the implementation of this model has contributed to significant results for children and families, efforts are being pursued to continue promoting the expansion of this model through system changes and across different programmes, including through joint projects with other UN agencies. As set out in the current CPD 2015 -2020, strategic approach under the Social protection and inclusion programme is to reach out to 50 % of Municipalities of BiH. UNICEF BiH has identified this methodology as a strategic tool to improve and contribute to the outcomes under other programmatic areas such as early childhood development, inclusive education and child protection.

In mid-2019, as part of ongoing support to UNICEF’s programmes in Child Protection, donors decided to allocate additional funding to support social inclusion activities at local level. To support the implementation of this initiative, UNICEF plans to hire a contractor with experience in Social Protection and Inclusion, to support the implementation of the SPI model at the local level, in close cooperation with local authorities.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of Social Protection Specialist, the national individual consultant will provide technical assistance in the implementation of the Social Protection and Inclusion model in 4 new target locations. The main elements of the assignment will include intensive advocacy and technical assistance to 4 multisectoral SPI Commissions and social care services providers, aimed at improving and sustaining the social protection and inclusion services for children with disabilities and their families.  

Major Tasks to be accomplished:

Under the supervision of Social Protection Specialist, the national individual consultant will support 4 new target locations in implementation of the Social Protection and Inclusion model.

More specifically, the consultant will:

1. Provide on-site technical assistance to 4 selected target Municipalities (tbd) to: 1) establish SPI Commissions; 2) conduct situation assessments; 3) develop small scale projects to support establishment of social services and/or social protection and inclusion referral mechanisms; 4) develop SPI Action Plans.
2. Revise SPI Commission ToRs and adjust SPI methodology as required;
3. Participate and provide support in the organization of relevant trainings and facilitate group work as needed;
4. Assist SPI Commissions and local partners in preparing project documents, budgets, small scale projects and administering funds in accordance with UNICEF’s rules and regulations;
5. Assist SPI Commissions in implementation and monitoring of SPI Action Plans, including the monitoring of the new social services established through grants and following up on the sustainability;
6. Follow up on financial reporting and proper utilization of funds;
7. Monitor the implementation of activities and grants;
8. Facilitate communication and coordination between SPI Commissions, government institutions, civil society organizations and other partners at local levels;
9. Ensure synergies and exchange of good practice models across different projects;
10. Organize field visits for UNICEF staff, government partners and donors.

Key deliverables include:

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

• University degree in social sciences;
• Minimum four years of experience in programme management and implementation in the area of Social Protection and Inclusion;
• Experience in working with municipal authorities and social service providers;
• Understanding of the Rights Based Approach to Programming;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills;
• Planning, organizational and monitoring skills;
• Ability to work independently;
• Experience in working with international organizations is an asset;
• Fluency in English and local languages, with good writing skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) 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.

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.

Remarks:

Please indicate your ability, availability and lump sum amount (in USD or BAM) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a lump sum fee will not be considered. Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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