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, a fair chance.
UNICEF Country Office has been providing long-term technical and expert support to the Government of Montenegro in the reform of the social and child protection system. In the scope of the conducted reforms, UNICEF ensured technical guidance and expertise for three core strategic documents in the field which were adopted in December 2024, namely: Strategy for the Social and Child Protection System Development 2025-2028, Deinstitutionalization (DI) Strategy 2025-2028, and Strategy for the Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence 2025-2029, with the accompanying Action plans for the first year of implementation 2025.
Montenegro still faces a significant gap in services provision due to unavailability and uneven geographical distribution of the social and child protection (SCP) services that exist. The roles and responsibilities of the central and local governments to establish and finance SCP services are not specified in the legislation, resulting in the lack of accountability for their provision and/or the absence thereof.
To respond to the above stated challenges, the project will support the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography to design and deliver a Minimum of Three Social Services and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for their cross-sectoral provision in four Montenegrin municipalities (Plav, Gusinje, Zabljak, Savnik), based on the
Desk analysis - Development of a Minimum Package of Services and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Children and Youth with Disabilities and their Families, conducted in the first phase of this project. The purpose of the SOPs is to enhance cooperation at municipal level between different sectors i.e. health, education, social and child protection, CSOs, OPDs, to provide essential support services to children with disabilities and their families. The support will also be provided for costing of the selected priority interventions in four selected municipalities. A report on the implementation of with recommendations for further scaling up to other municipalities will be prepared. The pilot will result in the provision of inputs to the new Law on Social and Child Protection.
How can you make a difference?
The main purpose of the assignment is to provide support to the Government in improving the provision of the cross-sectoral essential services to children with disabilities and their families.
The objective of the assignment is to support the Ministry to develop a Minimum of Three Social Services and SOP's for their cross-sectoral provision, as stated in the Reform Agenda, in four Montenegrin municipalities (Plav, Gusinje, Zabljak, Savnik).
The selected consultant is expected to provide direct and continuous assistance to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography and four selected municipalities (Plav, Gusinje, Zabljak, Savnik) in the needs assessment and defining the most needed services in each municipality, which will be followed by the design of a Minimum of Three Social Services that will be tailor-made and adapted for each of them individually, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for their cross-sectoral provision. The process will also comprise the training of the key stakeholders that would implement the established set of services, ideally a cross-sectoral team at the level of 2 municipalities that would be involved in the needs assessment, trainings and implementation. The implementation would imply launching of pilot projects at the level of two municipalities, led by the established cross-sectoral teams.
Under the direct supervision of UNICEF Social Policy Officer, the International Consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks:
- Perform desk review, within the preparatory phase, of the existing strategic documents pertaining to the social and child protection in Montenegro – Strategy for the Social and Child Protection System Development 2025-2028, Deinstitutionalization (DI) Strategy 2025-2028, and Strategy for the Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence 2025-2029, with the accompanying Action plans for the first year of implementation 2025, and the Desk analysis - Development of a Minimum Package of Services and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Children and Youth with Disabilities and their Families, conducted in the first phase of the project “Accelerating Disability Inclusion for Children and Adults with Disabilities” in the scope of UNPRPD.
- Perform desk review of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Sept. 2022 CRPD Guidelines on deinstitutionalization, statistical data on children in Montenegro with the focus on selected municipalities and relevant international documents, standards and best practices, regional reports, analyses, and comparative data related to the rights of persons and children with disabilities, provision of cross-sectoral and/or integrated services, social inclusion, prevention and protection of children from violence, the latest EC Montenegro Report, Reform Agenda for Montenegro, etc.
- Conduct consultations and interviews with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, selected municipalities and other stakeholders, if necessary, to perform needs assessment for specific type of services in each of the identified municipalities individually.
- Based on the findings and conclusions of the initial needs assessment, provide support to MSWFCD and four municipalities in the design a Minimum of Three Social Services for each of them, comprising the information on the following : 1) What should a Minimum of Three Social Services for children with disabilities and their families include at a level of a selected municipality? 2) What would be the preferred implementation modality at the level of each municipality, especially having in mind cross-sectoral character of the services? 3) What would be the estimated price of a Minimum of Three Social Services (in total and for each service separately) for a selected municipality?
- Upon the conducted design of a Minimum of Three Social Services, adapt the existing draft Standard Operating Procedures for cross-sectoral implementation for each of the identified municipalities or the unified version which may be used across municipalities.
- Prepare the presentation of a Minimum of Three Social Services and SOPs to the representatives of the MSWFCD and selected municipalities with the aim of obtaining comments, inputs and suggestions, and integrate them in the final versions.
- Design two training sessions of the key stakeholders at the level of the identified municipalities that would implement the established set of services, ideally a cross-sectoral team at the level of 2 municipalities (one training session per two municipalities).
- Assist in launching and implementation of at least one pilot project at the level of two municipalities, which would be led by the established cross-sectoral team and other relevant central and municipal stakeholders.
- Upon the implementation of a pilot project, prepare recommendations for scale-up and replicating the results in other Montenegrin municipalities.
The International Consultant will lead the above-described process and will work in a close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, selected municipalities, other involved national and local stakeholders, and UNICEF Country Office Montenegro.
The Consultant is expected to work both in the field and from home.
The detailed timeline will be agreed with UNICEF and MSWFCD.
Work Assignment Overview
Estimate
Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Timeline: Perform desk review of the existing national strategic documents pertaining to the social and child protection in Montenegro and relevant international documents, standards and best practices
(2 days);
Desk review report submitted
By 30 April 2025 Perform needs assessment for specific type of services in each of the identified municipalities individually based on the collected inputs from the consultations and interviews held with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, selected municipalities and other stakeholders
(8 days); Needs assessment performed in each of the identified municipalities individually and reports submitted By 19 May 2025 Design a Minimum of Three Social Services for the selected municipalities, comprising the following information: 1) What should a Minimum of Three Social Services for children with disabilities and their families include at a level of a selected municipality? 2) What would be the preferred implementation modality at the level of each municipality, especially having in mind cross-sectoral character of the services? 3) What would be the estimated price of a Minimum of Three Social Services (in total and for each service separately) for a selected municipality?
(6 days); A Minimum of Three Social Services for the selected municipalities defined By 20 June 2025 Adapt the existing draft Standard Operating Procedures for cross-sectoral implementation for each of the identified municipalities or the unified version which may be used across municipalities
(3 days); The existing draft SOPs reviewed and aligned with the needs assessment and defined minimum package By 30 June 2025 Prepare the presentation of a Minimum of Three Social Services and SOPs to the representatives of the MSWFCD and selected municipalities with the aim of obtaining comments, inputs and suggestions, and integrate them in the final versions
(2 days
Presentation of a designed Minimum of Three Social Services and SOPs delivered; both documents finalized with the integrated comments and suggestions obtained from the relevant stakeholders
By 21 July 2025 Design and deliver two training sessions of the key stakeholders at the level of the identified municipalities that would implement the established set of services, ideally a cross-sectoral team at the level of 2 municipalities (one training session per two municipalities)
(5 days); Two training sessions of the cross-sectoral teams at the level of 2 municipalities designed and delivered By 31 July 2025 Assist in launching and implementation of at least one pilot project at the level of two municipalities, which would be led by the established cross-sectoral team and other relevant central and municipal stakeholders
(7 days); At least one pilot project at the level of two municipalities launched with support of consultant By 30 September 2025
Upon the implementation of a pilot project, prepare recommendations for scale-up and replicating the results in other Montenegrin municipalities
(2 days).
Recommendations for scale-up and replicating the results in other Montenegrin municipalities prepared and submitted By 19 December 2025
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in legal, social work, social policy, social and child protection, or a similar. technical field.
Experience
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in policy development in social and child protection, particularly in relation to social and child protection services, prevention, and protection of children from violence, poverty.
- At least 5 years of experience in aligning policy, strategic and/or legal documents with international and regional human rights instruments.
- Good knowledge of the reform processes in the social and child protection system in Montenegro.
- Specific knowledge and/or experience in the implementation of integrated and/or cross-sectoral services and/or similar concept in the region or globally.
- Excellent knowledge of the relevant international and regional standards and documents in social and child protection (Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, European Social Charter, Revised European Social Charter, European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Rights, etc.
- Previous experience of collaboration with the UN or UNICEF will be considered as an asset.
Language
- Fluency in both Montenegrin and English is required.
Other
- Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills, demonstrated by proven record of participation in strategic and policy documents development. As a part of technical evaluation, applicants are requested to provide a recent piece of work and/or proof of participation in the process of development of a proposal of a policy/program/service in SCP area.
- Experience in working with policy makers and multiple government stakeholders for multisectoral approach is a strong advantage.
- Strong communication, negotiation skills and planning skills.
- High sense of responsibility and discretion.
- Ability to work under pressure and strict timelines.
- Integrity and high ethical standards.
- Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
All deliverables should be produced in English language.
Payments
The payments will be made in two (2) instalments, upon successful completion of the following deliverables and submission of invoices:
- 50% of the total amount upon the design of a Minimum of Three Social Services for the selected municipalities - by the end of June 2025;
- 50% of the total amount upon the preparation of the Recommendations for scale-up and replicating the results in other Montenegrin municipalities - by the end of December 2025.
UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.
Mandatory E-learning
Upon conducting the recruitment process and prior to the signing of the contract, the consultant will be required to complete the following online courses. All certificates should be presented as part of the contract.
- Ethics and Integrity at UNICEF
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority (PSEAA)
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse (PSEA);
- General Information Security Awareness Course.
The above courses can be found on Agora through the following link: AGORA: Log in to the site (unicef.org).
Course completion certificates should be shared and retained with the human resources unit of the hiring office.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
Qualifications
All applicants will be screened against qualifications and requirements set above. Candidates fully meeting all the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. The proposal will be evaluated against the following criteria
:
- Technical criteria – Technical evaluation process / Maximum points: 70
- Technical Criteria:
Desk review of CVs -70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points
- Education: 20
- Previous experience, where a recent piece of work (publication, report, analysis of social and child protection policies, etc.) needs to be provided by the applicant within application: 30
- CV, Motivation/ cover letter and proposed work plan: 15
- Other 5
- Financial criteria – evaluation of financial proposal / Maximum points: 30
The applicants are requested to submit their lump sum financial proposal consisting of a daily professional fee, proposed four travel costs to Montenegro and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for Podgorica when applicable which will be paid up to a maximum of the official UN rate. The Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].
Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the technical part (who will score at least 49 points) will be qualified for considering for financial proposal evaluation.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates from diverse populations, including but not limited to people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
