Akelius Field Consultant for Una-Sana Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Education and Skills section. 12 months, Remote (open for National consultants)

Contract Duration: 12 Months

Working arrangement: Remote work

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

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Since June 2020, UNICEF has been implementing the Akelius Digital Language Course initiative in BiH. UNICEF has partnered with CSOs and ensured access to the Akelius Digital Language course in reception centres as a non-formal education activity.

In its current phase, the project expanded to primary schools, focusing on improving digital infrastructure and building the capacity of teachers to use digital tools for language learning. A total of 38 schools across Una-Sana, Sarajevo, and Tuzla cantons have been equipped with tablets, headphones, and charging cases, enhancing digital learning opportunities for students. Additionally, over 450 teachers have been trained in blended learning methodologies, enabling them to integrate technology effectively into their teaching practices. With strong backing from key education institutions, this initiative is well-positioned for further expansion across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since the start of the partnership in July 2020 until June 2025, over 20,000 children have used the Akelius Digital Language Course, out of which more than half are children on the move. Through formal classroom activities, extracurricular Akelius clubs, and special programmes like winter and summer schools, the initiative fosters inclusivity by engaging children from diverse backgrounds. Significant investments in digital devices, network infrastructure, and teacher support ensure that the programme is scalable and sustainable, while addressing key challenges such as teacher competencies in educational technology and the need for equitable access to digital resources.

Despite the benefits of the Akelius Digital Language Course, several challenges remain, particularly in terms of teacher competencies with educational technology (EdTech). Many teachers need further support in strengthening their digital skills and effectively integrating blended learning approaches into their classrooms. UNICEF is planning a significant scale up of 31 additional schools in Una-Sana Canton which will bring the total number of schools in this Canton to 48 (47 primary and one secondary) which will require substantial support to manage, coordinate, plan, deliver and monitor activities related to this scale-up.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0002843 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Bachelors degree in Education, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Law, International Relations, Political Science, English/German language or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience:
• Experience in education, technology and digital learning

• 3 years of relevant professional experience

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
• Valid drivers license (B category) is required

• Strong ICT skills, including the use of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data collection tools, Android OS

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, intercultural sensitivity;

• Strong facilitation skills and ability to work independently and proactively

• Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills and discretion with confidential information

Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) mandatory.

Desirable:
• Prior foreign language teaching experience is desirable
• Experience in the UN Common System is desirable

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

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal TMC0002843 Financial Proposal.docx

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.