Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The consultancy is requested in the context of the European Commission's Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project, "Education Desegregation of Roma Children in Slovakia," that aims to support the Ministry of Education, Research, Development, and Youth (MoERDY) of Slovakia to tackle the persistent segregation of Roma children in the education system.
The project recognizes three main types of segregation:
1. Disproportionately high share of Roma children placed in special schools and classes;
2. School segregation in mixed school environments and
3. School segregation linked to residential segregation.
One of the underlying challenges for the successful inclusion of Roma children in schools in Slovakia is the resistance to education desegregation at all levels, including local authorities and schools. The TSI in promoting a systematic and sustainable approach to eliminating education segregation for Roma children and advancing inclusive education, including changing the narrative and addressing prevalent stereotypes and prejudice about Roma communities by applying social behaviour change approaches. These approaches will enable self-reflection on personal biases, stereotypes and prejudices and acceptance of diversity as a resource to strengthen inclusion in schools and promote social cohesion and cultural diversity in the community and society at large.
The consultancy will include support for the following activities:
1. Prepare a repository of good practices in social behaviour approaches from other countries related to Roma and other children segregated in or excluded from education which are relevant to the Slovak context, including social behaviour approaches in teacher training and training of education professionals and specialists.
2. Present the repository and good practices from other countries to MoERDY, including an in-depth training and discussions on the selected/prioritized practices.
3. Draft a proposal for a communication strategy and plan in English and Slovak.
Work Assignment Overview | Deliverables/Outputs | Delivery Deadline | Input Days
Develop a repository of good practices and evidence-based approaches
developing outline/structure of the repository
collecting resources for the repository
finalizing the repository based on feedback from the MoE | A repository of good practices, including collection of good examples of communication strategies, plans, toolkits, communication materials, videos, posters, social media posts, examples of municipal coalitions for education desegregation of Roma/other marginalized children and quality inclusive education from other countries, social behaviour approaches in teacher training and training of education professionals and specialists, relevant to Slovak context | 30 November 2026 | 10 days
Webinars to present the repository and good practices from other countries | Two webinars
1) good examples and evidence-based approaches in measuring, implementing, and evaluating social behaviour change.
2) in-depth training/webinar and discussion on the approaches selected by MoERDY | 30 January 2027 | 6 days
Draft a proposal of a communication strategy and plan
develop outline
draft strategy
finalize strategy in English/ Slovak based on MoERDY feedback | Technical Review and Gap Analysis completed | 30 January 2027 | 8 days
24 working days between 1 September - 15 March 2027.
Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel
The Consultants will be home-based with one travel is foreseen.
Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule
Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
Minimum requirements
Masters Degree in Social Behaviour Change, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Anthropology or related field.
- Minimum 5 years in Social Behaviour Change (SBC), preferably within the education or social sector.
- Demonstrated experience developing communication strategy frameworks and knowledge management initiatives.
- Experience in conducting training and stakeholder consultations.
- Experience with Slovak education system is highly desirable.
- Experience with Roma inclusion or inclusion of marginalized groups is highly desirable.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluence in Slovak desirable.
- Knowledge and understanding of the SBC approaches related to education and inclusion.
- Ability to synthesize information from different sources into easy-to-read products.
Desirables
- Experience in EU context.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks
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 for ensuring 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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.