Consultant to support the situation analysis of the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia At International Organization for Migration

Link to original vacancy posting

Context

The project “Strengthening guardianship in the EU through capacity building, knowledge exchange and peer learning” (GuardianXChange), funded by the European Commission, aims to reinforce guardianship services in the involved EU Member States (i.e. Belgium, Poland, Portugal and Slovenia) through knowledge sharing, capacity building and good practice exchange (i.e. the Netherlands will be involved through the project’s implementing partner Nidos’ EGN as good practice), which will ultimately benefit the well-being, safety and integration of UASC in the EU. This will be achieved by:

• Strengthening the capacity of guardianship institutions to better protect and assist UASC;
• Increasing the knowledge and skills of guardians on protecting and caring for UASC through the roll-out of trainings and capacity building activities;
• Supporting guardians and social services in empowering UASC who are transitioning to adulthood;
• Encouraging (inter)national exchange and mutual learning on guardianship systems and the lessons of the innovative project activities to safeguard UASC’s well-being and protect their rights.

In light of the above, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office in Slovenia is looking for a consultant to conduct situation analysis and elaborate an assessment report on the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia.

Outputs of the work assignment:

Under the overall/direct supervision of the IOM Slovenia Project Focal Point and the IOM Project Management Team in Brussels, the consultant will support the analysis of the guardianship system in Slovenia (based on the developed methodology) and develop a comprehensive assessment report on the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia, including recommendations on enhancing the guardianship system.

The assessment shall be based on a desk analysis and review of relevant resources, including the developed methodology for the assessment of guardianship systems for unaccompanied and separated children; and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Specifically, the consultant will:

1. Participate in preliminary coordination meeting with the IOM Slovenia Project Focal Point,
2. Conduct desk research and review relevant resources on the topic of guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia;
3. Review/ and adapt the developed methodology (PAS tool) for the assessment of guardianship systems for unaccompanied and separated children;
4. Develop a consultation work plan with timeline (including key stakeholders), and tools to be used for the assessment;
5. Conduct consultations to gather information from key stakeholders;
6. Develop a draft report (in English) with key findings, specifically elaborating on:
   1. The situation analysis and identified challenges of the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia;
   2. Recommendations on enhancing the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia, taking into account relevant provisions in the EU Common Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum;
   3. Capacity-building needs of stakeholders to further enhance the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia.

      The IOM team will review and provide feedback on the report;

7. Develop the final assessment report as well as a two-page brief of it to share key findings, conclusions, and recommendations;
8. Ensure that gender is adequately mainstreamed in the assessment;
9. Ensure coordination with the IOM Project Team at any stage of the consultancy;
10. Respect IOM’s Data Protection Principles

Outputs of the work assignment

1. First Deliverable – Developed consultation work plan with timeline (including key stakeholders) and tools to be used for the assessment;
2. Second Deliverable – Brief report on implemented consultations with stakeholders;
3. Third Deliverable – draft report (in English) with key findings, specifically elaborating on:
   1. Situation analysis and identified challenges of the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia;
   2. Recommendations on enhancing the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia, taking into account relevant provisions in the EU Common Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum;
   3. Capacity-building needs of stakeholders to further enhance the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children in Slovenia;
4. Fourth Deliverable – Final report (in English) with key findings specifically elaborating on above-mentioned points as well as a two-page brief of it to share key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

1. Timely delivery of results and project deliverables \
2. Achievement of set indicators

Required Qualifications and Experience Education

• Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Social Work, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant experience; High school diploma with four years of relevant professional experience;
• Ph.D. in above-mentioned sciences is considered an asset.

Experience

• Five years’ work experience on migration or social work; specific experience on protection of migrants will be considered an asset;
• Minimum three years of professional experience in research related to migration and/or social work; • Demonstrated skills and experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and related technical and analytical report writing;
• Experience in writing reports and documents in English;
• Computer skills, specifically hand-on experience in usage of MS Office;
• Valid European Union working permit (for non-EU candidates).

Languages

Fluency in English and Slovenian is required