UNICEF National Consultant, Macedonia

Deadline: 12 April 2011
Open to: holders of a degree in social sciences, be proficient in Macedonian and English and see the requirements below
Salary: not stated

In 2009, UNICEF and the Parliament of Macedonia signed a cooperation agreement that provides a formal framework for UNICEF support to strengthen the Parliaments role in ensuring child rights are protected in national legislation, as well as through improved oversight and allocation of budgetary resources.

Individual Contract for National Consultant to work with partners to strengthen the role of the Parliament in monitoring and advocating for child rights.

Programme Area and specific Project involved
Programme: Child Rights Monitoring and Social Policy
Project: Alliance Building and Partnerships for Children
Activity: Alliance with Parliament

Responsibilities

The purpose of this assignment is to support the implementation of a work plan and other activities as part of the Memorandum of Understanding.  It includes:
• Facilitate coordination with partners within the parliament.
• Provide advice and technical support to partners within the parliament in organising and following up on activities included in the joint work plan (public hearing, field visits, study tours, seminars, briefings, etc.).
• Analyze and report on activities (not included by the work plan) in the parliament that represent opportunities to further advance children’s issues (i.e. new laws entering parliament procedure, budget reviews etc.).
• Other tasks in accordance with the actual needs for the effective implementation of the partnership.

Requirements

• University degree in social sciences, advanced degree an asset
• Experience in working with governmental organisations; experience in working with the Parliament and MPs would be an asset
• Clear understanding of the functioning of the Parliament in the country.
• Basic knowledge of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child required, advanced knowledge of its application in national legislation an asset.
• Proven excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and mobilise support from various MPs and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to research, analyze, evaluate and present information in clear and concise written reports within tight deadlines.
• Computer skills, including familiarity with word, excel, powerpoint.
• Full mastery of written and oral English and Macedonian is required. Knowledge of Albanian an asset.
• Personal passion and commitment to improving the life opportunities for children in the country.

Estimated Duration of the Contract

It is expected that the contract will last 12 months from 1 May 2011 – 30 June 2012. Note the bulk of the assignments will begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Application Process

All interested candidates should submit a copy of their CV and P11 form by email to Suzie Pappas (spappas@unicef.org) and Biljana Trimcevska (btrimcevska@unicef.org) by 18:00 on the 12 April 2011.

Before applying please read the Terms of Reference.

The official webpage.