Consultant for Developing Implementation Guide for Caring Families Programme

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. With a mission to advocate for the protection of children's rights, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families. The organization focuses on various areas including health, education, and protection, aiming to reach the most disadvantaged children in the toughest places. UNICEF's commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in its workforce, encouraging candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply, including individuals with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Developing Implementation Guide for the Caring Families Programme will play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of parenting support services in Montenegro. This position involves creating a comprehensive Implementation Guide that will serve as a practical resource for the effective delivery of the Caring Families programme, which is designed to support parents and caregivers of children aged 2-

• The guide will be based on existing national guidelines and the global Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) Implementation Guide, ensuring that it aligns with best practices in early childhood development and positive parenting. The consultant will be responsible for outlining essential standards, processes, and tools necessary for the recruitment, training, and supervision of facilitators, coaches, and trainers, thereby contributing to the sustainability and scalability of the programme. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all families and children in Montenegro can benefit from high-quality delivery of the programme, which aims to prevent violence against children and promote positive parenting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing a zero draft of the Implementation Guide based on available reports, guidelines, and documents.
• Submitting the zero draft to UNICEF for feedback and revisions.
• Creating the first draft of the Implementation Guide to be shared with national partners for consultation.
• Conducting consultations with programme trainers, supervisors, and relevant ministries to gather feedback on the draft.
• Finalizing the Implementation Guide based on the feedback received and submitting the final draft to UNICEF.
• Ensuring that the guide includes a comprehensive overview of the programme, organizational planning requirements, essential standards for facilitator training, and quality assurance processes.
• Contributing to the overall effectiveness and expansion of the Caring Families programme in Montenegro.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences, or a related technical field. They should have at least 5 years of professional experience in child protection, early childhood development, or parenting support, with a minimum of 2 years of experience in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines. Familiarity with the Caring Families programme is essential, and previous work experience with UNICEF or other international organizations will be considered an advantage. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and writing skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical standards.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Psychology, Sociology, or Social Sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child development and the social dynamics involved in parenting support.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas related to child protection, early childhood development, or parenting support. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience specifically in developing SOPs and guidelines, which is critical for the role of creating the Implementation Guide. Experience working with UNICEF or similar international organizations is highly desirable and will enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in the Montenegrin language, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other languages officially used in Montenegro will be considered an asset, and proficiency in English will also be advantageous, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract will be governed by UNICEF's General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. The selected candidate will be required to complete mandatory e-learning courses on ethics and integrity, prevention of sexual harassment, and general security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">information security awareness before commencing the assignment. Payment will be made in one installment upon successful completion of deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if performance is unsatisfactory. The selected candidate must also confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to remote consultants.