Legal and Policy Senior Expert for Inclusion, Anti-discrimination and Violence Prevention 589095

Legal and Policy Senior Expert for Inclusion, Antidiscrimination and Violence Prevention (open to National Consultants only)

Contract Duration-  11 months

Working arrangement: (Home Based)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNICEF is seeking a consultant to support the policy advocacy and work in the area of education, child protection, justice for children, health, ECD and other child rights. The consultant will support the development of legal opinions, position papers, and policy documents, ensuring compliance with both international and national legal frameworks related to children's rights, gender equality, non-discrimination, and human rights.

The consultant will be overall supervised by Education Specialist and for different areas of work by relevant program specialists depending on the area provided support (e.g., Education Specialist, Child Protection Specialist, Health/ECD Specialist etc.).  

The purpose of this assignment is to provide support to the Country Office in strengthening its advocacy and policy efforts focused on inclusion, antidiscrimination, violence prevention and other child rights issues, ensuring that these fundamental rights are integrated into all initiatives within the new Country Program 2026-2030. Additionally, purpose is to UNICEF policy advocacy efforts across education, child protection, justice for children, health, ECD and other child rights issues according to UNICEF’s strategic priorities, as well as to support further development of local based support services for children, families and institutions. This assignment, therefore, is integral in promoting the rights and protection of children and driving UNICEF’s mission of building inclusive, violence-free environments for all children.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: [ External ToR TMC0001067.pdf]

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• University degree in Law or other Humanities and master’s in child’s rights/human rights, education, pedagogy, psychology, or sociology.

Work Experience:

• At least 15 years of professional experience in the area of provision of legal and policy advice regarding child`s rights, anti-discrimination, social inclusion and child protection.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in advancing child’s rights (senior level)

Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of Serbian legal system and international human rights law framework and instruments
• Excellent knowledge of Serbian policies and legislation in the area of antidiscrimination, violence prevention, inclusive education, childcare reform and other child rights.
• Established network of partners in the area of child`s rights, child protection and social inclusion.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in task implementation.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent oral and written Serbian and English skills are required.

Desirables( If provided in the TOR):

• Knowledge of the UN/UNICEF mandate and UN rules/procedures is an asset.
• Advanced degrees will be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal ( Financial proposal TMC0001067.docx) Please download the template here.

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.