Individual Consultant – Evidence Review & Advocacy on Child Marriage (Roma)

About the role

UNICEF is seeking an individual consultant to lead an evidence synthesis and develop an advocacy framework addressing child marriage among Roma communities in the ECA region. The assignment will cover Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Turkey and will support UNICEF’s Child Protection and Migration practice.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct a systematic scoping review on prevalence, drivers, consequences and interventions related to child marriage in Roma communities.
• Identify evidence gaps, especially the lack of ethnicity‑disaggregated data.
• Draft a zero‑draft Regional Framework, including a theory of change, to be validated through stakeholder consultations and a regional workshop.
• Prepare a policy paper translating the validated framework into an evidence‑based advocacy document for EU mechanisms such as the EU Child Guarantee and the EU Roma Strategic Framework.
• Produce a concise advocacy summary for direct engagement with EU institutions and partners.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in social sciences, public policy, human rights or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting systematic reviews or evidence syntheses on child protection or related topics.
• Proven track record of developing policy frameworks or advocacy documents for international donors or multilateral organisations.
• Familiarity with Roma communities and the socio‑political context of the ECA region.

Required skills

• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Excellent written communication for policy and advocacy documents.
• Ability to engage and coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including governments, NGOs and civil society.

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence EU‑level policy on child protection and social inclusion.
• Collaboration with UNICEF country offices and regional experts.
• Competitive consultancy remuneration.