National Individual Consultant Expert Legal Consultant – Access to Justice, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Child Protection section, 12 months, Office based

Contract Duration - 12 months

Working arrangement - Office based, Child Protection section, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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

The overall objective of the EU-funded programme “Strengthening Child Justice and Protection Systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is to ensure that children in contact with the law have enhanced access to justice systems and strengthened protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation.

Despite tangible progress in advancing child justice in BiH, significant gaps persist in ensuring systematic, equitable, and sustainable access to justice for children. The EU Progress Report (2021) and Priebe Report highlight critical deficiencies in judicial independence, accountability, and efficiency, with child justice reform noted as an area requiring further harmonization and implementation across BiH entities.

This project follows recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (2019), the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (2021–2024), and the BiH SDG Framework (2021), all of which emphasize the importance of strengthening child justice systems, advancing diversion measures, and ensuring access to inclusive justice services. These priorities are further reflected in UNICEF’s Justice for Children: A Global Snapshot (2021), reinforcing the need for datadriven, child-sensitive justice reforms.

The State, Entity/District Brčko, Cantonal and local governments have demonstrated their commitment to reforming the justice for children system in BiH, and their cooperation and collaboration in the last 10 years have led to substantive progress. UNICEF BiH has been recognised by the State and Entity/District Brčko governments as the lead agency for child protection and is well placed to ensure that justice for children reform efforts contribute to the strengthening of the broader child protection systems in BiH.

The complex institutional structure of the country makes comprehensive reform slow. The overhaul of the justice for children system, initiated in 2010 with the adoption of the Law on Protection and Treatment of Children and Juveniles in Criminal Proceedings (hereafter: Law on Protection) in Republika Srpska (RS), and later in 2015 the Brčko District (BD) and the Federation of BiH (FBiH), is still ongoing. As observed by justice practitioners and experts, also representatives of ministries of justice, interior and social welfare, the mentioned legislation requires revisions and advancements to further strengthen the application of restorative justice principles (mediation, community work etc), special protection measures for children victim and witnesses, provisions related to hearings and audio/video recording of child interviews and to better clarify procedures and roles of professionals involved in the implementation of the Law.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0002725 External ToR.pdf

Minimum Qualification required:

Education

Master’s or higher in law required; degree in social sciences or a related field possible with proven relevant experience.
Work experience

• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in child protection, justice reform, rule of law, and child protection systems required

• Proven experience in justice for children / child protection systems, including work with judicial institutions, social welfare systems, and law enforcement required.

• Demonstrated experience in legislative and policy development, including drafting or reviewing laws, bylaws, strategies, or SOPs required.

• Strong track record in design and delivery of capacity-building programmes for professionals (e.g. judiciary, police, social workers, educators) required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills

• Strong analytical and advisory skills, with ability to translate complex policy frameworks into practical implementation guidance.

• Excellent coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, including ability to work across multiple institutions and administrative levels.

• Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.

• Strong facilitation and communication skills, including experience leading workshops and consultations.

• High level of written communication skills, particularly in drafting reports, policy documents, and technical guidance.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining strong collaboration with project teams.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English required.

Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian required

Desirables

• Experience with EU standards related to rule of law and fundamental rights is an asset.

• Previous collaboration with government institutions and multi-sector stakeholders in Bosnia and Herzegovina or similar governance contexts is highly desirable.

• Knowledge of diversion measures, restorative justice, and child victim/witness support models (e.g. Barnahus) is a strong asset.

• Familiarity with data systems and evidence-based programming in justice or social sectors is an advantage.

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, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal TMC0002725 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.