National Consultant to support the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MoLEVSA) in development of the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2027-2029

Background/Context

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. 

Within Serbia, UN Women provides technical assistance to national partners to implement international and national gender equality commitments, strengthen institutional mechanisms, and foster inclusive policy development.

Under the Gender Equality Facility – Phase III, UN Women is supporting national institutions in strengthening the implementation of the Youth Guarantee and integrating gender equality considerations in employment policies and programmes. Based on the request of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MoLEVSA), UN Women seeks a consultant to support the preparation of the Proposal for the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan for the period 2027-2029, building on lessons learned from the implementation and piloting of the Youth Guarantee in Serbia, relevant labour market analyses, and recommendations of the European Commission.  

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of UN Women Serbia's Programme Analyst for Governance, the consultant will provide technical support to the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MoLEVSA) in the preparation of the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan for the period 2027-2029. Working closely with the MoLEVSA Youth Guarantee Coordinator and members of the Coordination Body Expert Group, the consultant will review and analyse relevant documentation, including labour market analyses, findings from the Youth Guarantee piloting, implementation reports, financial framework information, and other materials provided by MoLEVSA. The consultant will participate in consultative meetings and technical discussions organized by MoLEVSA and other relevant stakeholders and will support the identification of key reforms and initiatives across all phases of the Youth Guarantee. Based on the evidence gathered and inputs received from stakeholders, the consultant will prepare the first draft of the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2027-2029, ensuring alignment with relevant European Commission recommendations and guidelines. Throughout the drafting process, the consultant will integrate gender equality, equal opportunities and non-discrimination principles into the proposed measures, implementation arrangements and monitoring framework. Following consultations and review by MoLEVSA, the Coordination Body and the European Commission, the consultant will revise and finalize the document and submit the final Proposal for the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan for the period 2027-2029.

In preparing the document, the consultant shall take into consideration:

• Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2023-2026;

• Report on Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2023-2026, for 2023 and 2024;

• Draft report on the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2023-2026, for 2025;

• Existing legislative framework and proposals for amendments;

• Draft Employment Strategy of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2027-2032;

• Draft Action Plan for the period 2027-2029 for implementation of the Employment Strategy 2027-2032;

• Reform Agenda;

• Operational Programme;

• Analyses provided by MoLEVSA and the National Employment Service related to labour market developments and piloting of the Youth Guarantee;

• Relevant European Commission recommendations and guidelines.

Deliverables

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. 

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example 

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and proactively solve problem;
• Capacity to plan, priorities and deliver tasks on time;
• Capacity to engage with stakeholders to receive inputs for analysis and reporting;
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and communication skills;
• Ability to research, analyse, compare and present complex information.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Economy, Law, Gender Studies, Political Science, Social Sciences, Governance or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in development, implementation and monitoring of implementation of youth employment policies and programs. 
• Experience in developing at least two strategic documents the field of employment. 
• Demonstrated experience supporting development, implementation, monitoring or evaluation of Youth Guarantee measures or similar youth employment initiatives.
• Experience working with government. 
• Previous experience with the United Nations or similar organizations in this or a related field.  
• Excellent analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Serbian is required, both written and spoken.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.