National Consultants for Field Implementation of the EU4People Social Protection

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission 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 to its staff. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, emphasizing the importance of belonging and growth within the organization.

Job Overview:
The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure the 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 is crucial due to the geographic scope of the program, the diversity of institutional arrangements, and the varying capacities of municipalities, Centres for Social Work, and local service providers. The consultant will provide dedicated technical support to translate program objectives into practical improvements in local service delivery, coordination, and planning. The position requires a proactive approach to engage with various stakeholders and ensure effective implementation of social protection initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide technical support for the implementation of the EU4People Action on Social Protection across designated locations.
• Engage with local authorities, Centres for Social Work, service providers, and civil society organizations to facilitate stakeholder coordination.
• Monitor and report on the progress of program implementation, identifying risks and proposing solutions.
• Prepare concise implementation reports that reflect the status of activities and outcomes.
• Conduct field visits to assess the quality of service delivery and provide feedback for improvement.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders to enhance their capacities in social protection and child protection.
• Ensure adherence to UNICEF’s standards and principles throughout the implementation process.
• Manage competing priorities effectively while working independently across multiple locations.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in social protection, child protection, social services, local governance, or community-based service delivery.
• Strong experience in stakeholder coordination with local authorities, Centres for Social Work, service providers, and civil society organizations.
• Proven ability to monitor, report, and prepare concise implementation reports.
• Strong understanding of social protection and child protection frameworks in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a secondary education, preferably supplemented by relevant training, or a university degree in social sciences. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of social protection and child welfare systems.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in fields related to social protection, child protection, or community-based service delivery. This experience should include working with local authorities and service providers, as well as involvement in program implementation and stakeholder coordination.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken local languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina is mandatory. Proficiency in written and spoken English is also required. Previous experience with UNICEF or UN agencies is desirable, along with a general understanding of UN and UNICEF procedures and programming principles.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be full-time, with a focus on field implementation across multiple locations. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and reasonable accommodations will be provided for candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages.