Serbia: Consultant to review the child sensitiveness of asylum procedures and their implementation in practice

Background:

Between 2012 and 2014 the number of people registering their intention to seek asylum in the Western Balkans went from 5,000 to 20,000, a four-fold increase. So far in 2015, the numbers have been rising further, with almost 40,000 asylum claims lodged in Serbia alone in the first six months of the year. Close to 10,000, new asylum-seekers were registered by the authorities in May alone and more than 15,000 in June. Authorities and civil society in Southern Serbia are currently stretched to provide basic humanitarian aid, initial registration (issuance of certificate on the intent seek asylum) and accommodation to some 600 to 1,000 asylum-seekers that approach them each day for help, having crossed the border from fYR Macedonia and to lesser extent from Bulgaria. The vast majority of them want to seek international protection in the EU crossing into Hungary. The vast majority (95%) of those travelling the so called Western Balkan route are from refugee-producing countries, mainly Syria, Afghanistan, Iraqi, Eritrea and Somalia and therefore have international protection needs. They mostly come via Greece, and with the recent surge in sea arrivals there, the number of people undertaking this journey is expected to grow further by the end of the year.

According to the available data from the Serbian Ministry of Interior, children represent approximately 30% of the refugees’ influx in Serbia. They are a greater risk of abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation, and trafficking. They may also have witnessed or experienced violent acts and/or been separated from their families. Protection of children cannot wait. UNHCR, UNICEF, State actors and partners need to prioritise the protection of children and provide immediate support to their well-being and development, with a view to ensuring durable solutions to their problems as soon as possible. Timely services, interventions, family tracing and decisions in children best interests are essential to provide effective protection.

Field missions conducted by UNHCR and UNICEF have highlighted the extreme vulnerability of families travelling with children and unaccompanied children. Despite a more favourable legislation in Serbia than in its neighbouring countries, the situation of families and unaccompanied children is extremely worrisome, especially in the situation of refugee influx.

It is therefore necessary to assess procedures relevant for protection of refugee and asylum seeking children, with special focus on those unaccompanied and those with special needs, their identification and treatment, as well as application of relevant procedures in practice from a child sensitive perspective. This assignment will cover both families travelling with children and unaccompanied children, either transiting through Serbia or seeking permanent asylum in Serbia.

The final report (including recommendations for addressing identified gaps) will inform the future joint strategy of UNICEF and UNHCR, in line with their respective mandates, aimed at ensuring effective child protection in emergencies, as well as achieving long term systemic improvements of the asylum system from the child protection perspective.Purpose of the assignment:

This assignment aims at: 1) reviewing the child sensitiveness of asylum procedures (and other relevant procedures), and their implementation in practice; 2) Identifying gaps in law and practice, and 3) providing concrete recommendations to ensure the best interest of the child is respected in asylum procedures and identified gaps are addressed, including in the situation of mass influx. Duration of the assignment:

Start date of the assignment 1 September 2015, end date 30 September 2015, number of working days 22 Work Assignment Overview Tasks Deliverables Review existing legislations, processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) vis-à-vis child sensitive international standards Desk review highlighting gaps and recommendations formulated for proposed changes in legislation and SOPs/processes (including data) Interview key stakeholders (Government, independent bodies, CSOs, UN) at national level.

Conduct field assessments in 3 locations interview key stakeholders (asylum authorities (Asylum office, Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration, border police, social welfare system, etc) to assess the application of SOPs for families and unaccompanied children. This will include assessment of referral pathways to health, education, psychosocial and care services. Draft report Conduct interviews with families and unaccompanied children to assess their experience and needs. Conduct an assessment of Centers of Social Work’s, asylum centers, centers for unaccompanied children, and other CSO partners’ capacity and knowledge to respond to the needs of refugees children. Capacity gaps report with concrete recommendations. Develop a list of main practices that need to be modified Checklist developed Draft final report integrating all components. Final report on the situation analysis of refugee children with concrete recommendations on proposed changes. Develop a 2 pager policy brief on the situation of refugees children Final policy brief highlighting key findings and recommendations both for Government and for UNICEF’s further technical assistance Travel Required:

Estimated number of days of travel: 10 days

Location of travel: travel throughout Serbia Workplace of Consultant:

UNICEF office when not travelling Qualifications required, specialised knowledge, specialised skills and work experience required for this assignment

• Minimum of 8 years of relevant international experience
• Professional expertise on the care and protection of children, with a good understanding of systems for the identification and documentation of vulnerable children and case management practices.
• Good understanding of Child Protection Information Management Systems/Refugee Information Management Systems and Refugee Operating Procedures.
• Teamwork experience in child protection programming for refugee population
• Experience in working with government agencies responsible for child welfare in the region is an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of English, knowledge of Serbian is an asset

Qualified candidates are requested to send their application to belgrade@unicef.org by 17 August 2015, ref. VN-24 Consultant to review the child sensitiveness of asylum procedures and their implementation in practice, following:

• P11 (P11 form can be downloaded from http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc)
• CV
• Financial offer - Lump sum in USD for 22 working days including transportation costs and DSA costs for 10 days travel throughout Serbia, within assignment period

Important note: Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. UNICEF is a non-smoking environment. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply.