National Lead Consultant for Field Implementation Coordination and Quality Assurance

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs thousands of staff worldwide and is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package to its employees.

Job Overview:
The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure sustained, structured, and quality-assured field-level implementation of the three-year EU4People Action on Social Protection across 40 partner locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This role requires dedicated coordination and technical support to translate program objectives into practical improvements in local service delivery, coordination, and planning. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including local authorities, Centres for Social Work, and service providers, to enhance the effectiveness of social protection initiatives. The consultant will also be responsible for monitoring and reporting on the progress of the program, identifying risks, and proposing solutions to overcome implementation challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the implementation of the EU4People Action on Social Protection across multiple locations, ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and methodological support to local stakeholders involved in the program.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and collaboration among local authorities, service providers, and civil society organizations.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of program implementation, preparing concise analytical reports on progress and challenges.
• Identify bottlenecks in implementation and propose practical solutions to enhance service delivery.
• Ensure quality assurance in the delivery of services and adherence to UNICEF’s standards and principles.
• Support the capacity building of local teams and stakeholders through training and workshops.
• Manage competing priorities and work independently across multiple field locations.
• Maintain effective communication with UNICEF and other partners to ensure transparency and accountability in program implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, social policy, social work, public administration, development studies, local governance, social protection, child protection, or related disciplines.
• A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in social protection, child protection, social services, local governance, or community-based service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-location programs and providing technical guidance.
• Strong stakeholder coordination skills and experience working with local authorities and service providers.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality written reports and meet deadlines.
• Valid driving license and ability to travel to multiple locations as required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, social policy, social work, public administration, development studies, local governance, social protection, or child protection. Advanced degrees in these areas may be considered an asset, although not mandatory.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience. Candidates should have a strong background in social protection and child protection, with demonstrated experience in program implementation and field coordination. Experience in monitoring and reporting, as well as stakeholder engagement, is essential. Previous experience working with UNICEF or similar organizations is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken local languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina is mandatory. Proficiency in written and spoken English is also required. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is expected to be full-time and may involve travel to various locations within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.