Inclusive National Education Consultant, Zagreb, Croatia, 14.6 months, Remote with travel
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The primary objective of this consultancy is to enhance school leadership, governance, and educational inclusion by developing, testing, and documenting scalable approaches. This involves three key areas: supporting newly appointed headteachers through needs assessment, mentoring, and recommendations for national induction programs; developing a resource school model with capacity building, peer-support mechanisms, and tools for educational inclusion, especially for schools serving Roma and migrant children; and providing targeted technical assistance on student mental health and wellbeing, aiding education stakeholders in identifying and promoting effective school-based responses to emerging mental health needs. The consultant will contribute to strengthening the national education system's capacity to foster inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for the development, testing, and documentation of scalable approaches to strengthen school leadership, governance, and educational inclusion. This includes conducting needs assessments for newly appointed headteachers and developing recommendations for the national induction program. The consultant will also lead the development of a resource school model, focusing on capacity building, peer-support mechanisms, and tools to enhance educational inclusion, particularly for vulnerable groups like Roma and migrant children. Furthermore, the role involves providing targeted technical assistance on student mental health and wellbeing, supporting education stakeholders in identifying and implementing effective school-based interventions. The consultant will also be expected to facilitate structured group work, provide individual coaching and mentoring, and apply change management principles. A key aspect of the role is ensuring effective communication and reporting on progress and outcomes, contributing to the overall strengthening of the education sector in Croatia.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in education sector planning, coordination, and policy formulation, with specific experience in Croatia. Proven experience in supporting the development and implementation of educational policies is also required.
Skills
School leadership and governance, Educational inclusion strategies, Needs assessment, Mentoring and coaching, Capacity building, Resource school model development, Student mental health and wellbeing, Change management, Policy formulation, Report writing, Facilitation, Presentation skills