National individual consultants (3) to support revising the system for pricing and financing of social protection services

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This consultancy will support the development, consultation and preparation of an adoption-ready proposal for revising the system for pricing and financing of social protection services aimed at expanding equitable access to quality of services for children, particularly the most vulnerable.

The consultants will work as a coordinated team, jointly responsible for deliverables, with regular coordination and joint review of outputs. The team lead will ensure integration, coherence and quality assurance across all outputs.

1. Economic/Finance Expert and Team Lead, tasked with overall coordination between the experts and UNICEF, leading work on research of the existing model and international best practices, revision of the National Methodology for Financing Social Protection Services, pricing simulations and fiscal impact assessments, as well as development of implementation manual and price calculator;
2. Legal Expert, tasked with legal and regulatory analysis, ensuring alignment of the new model with the national legal framework, and drafting proposed legal amendments; and
3. Social Service Professional, who will contribute to revising the service pricing and financing system, conduct stakeholder mapping, coordinate and document stakeholder engagement, support reporting and consultation documentation, and contribute to development of the implementation manual and the implementation workshop for the institutions.

The team of three consultants under the direct supervision of the UNICEF North Macedonia Social Policy Specialist, will be expected to carry out a range of tasks and activities:

1. Conduct a comprehensive desk review analysis of the system for financing social protection services. 

2. Conduct a comparative analysis on pricing, financing and contracting for provision of social protection services by non-state actors in countries relevant for North Macedonia – preferably from the EU and the Western Balkan – as well as any international guidance, to identify best practices and lessons learned, including in the domain of regular updating or adjusting of the prices of services.

3. Engage relevant stakeholders to document practical experiences, challenges and recommendations related to the current pricing and financing system for social protection services. Consultations will include decision-makers, non-state service providers, Centres for Social Work, municipal social protection councils, service beneficiaries, as well as relevant development partners and ongoing initiatives in the field of social services. 

4. Draft a proposal for reform of the system for pricing and financing of social protection services, based on the conducted analyses and stakeholder consultations. Based on the findings of the desk review and the stakeholder consultations, the consultants will develop recommendations for improving the financing model, including possible revision of existing price lists for social services and other relevant financing mechanisms. 

5. Present the draft reform proposal to stakeholders and incorporate feedback to the extent possible. The consultants will support one national consultation event where the draft proposal for reform of the pricing and financing system for social protection services will be presented to relevant stakeholders. The event will also serve to formally launch and give visibility to the reform process itself, while providing a structured platform to collect feedback on the proposed recommendations, including possible changes to the legal framework, pricing methodology, service prices, financing arrangements, annual calls, contracting terms and implementation mechanisms. 

6. Strengthen the capacities to implement the reform:

• Prepare a practical Guide for implementing the reform of the social services financing system. Based on the proposed reform model, the consultants will develop a practical implementation guide outlining the concrete steps, institutional responsibilities, procedures and timelines required for the implementation of the revised financing system. The guide should provide clear operational guidance for the Ministry of Social Policy, Demographics and Youth, the Institute for Social Activities, municipalities and relevant service providers, including guidance on the application of the revised financing model, annual updating of prices, use of data, reporting requirements and quality-related considerations. As part of the guide, the consultants will also develop and attach a user-friendly price calculator to support the consistent application of the revised methodology and facilitate transparent calculation and annual adjustment of social service prices.

• Develop and deliver a capacity-development programme for implementation of the reform. Based on the implementation guide and the proposed revised financing model, the consultants will prepare a structured education/training programme for relevant professionals at central and local level. The programme should be designed to strengthen the capacities of key institutions and stakeholders to understand, apply and monitor the revised system for financing social services. It should include clear learning objectives, training modules, practical exercises, guidance on the use of the price calculator, and materials tailored to the roles of the Ministry of Social Policy, Demographics and Youth, the Institute for Social Activities, municipalities, Centres for Social Work and relevant service providers. The consultants will deliver the education programme through one or more workshops with key stakeholders, ensuring practical knowledge transfer, discussion of implementation challenges, and clarification of institutional responsibilities for applying the revised financing model. UNICEF will directly cover the logistical costs of the event.

All analytical reports, recommendations and work outputs developed under this assignment should include, where relevant, a brief assessment of implications for children and equity considerations, including potential effects on availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of services for vulnerable children and families.

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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. 

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.

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for consultancy with UNICEF will be required to submit a letter of agreement form their employer.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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Advertised: 19 Jun 2026 Central European Daylight Time
Applications close: 30 Jun 2026 Central European Daylight Time

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