National expert to support the development of a Guidelines on assessment and determination of the best interests of unaccompanied children in the context of migration

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Contract type

• Consultant

Locations

Europe and Central Asia Region

• Bosnia & Herzegovina

Functional Area

Programme

• Child Protection

Position level

• Consultancy

National expert to support the development of a Guidelines on assessment and determination of the best interests of unaccompanied children in the context of migration, 40 working days; Remote

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Job no: 596522

Contract type: Consultant

Duty Station: Sarajevo

Level: Consultancy

Location: Bosnia & Herzegovina

Categories: Child Protection

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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For every child, results.

Mixed migration flows along the Western Balkan route continue, with the region maintaining its identity as one of the main migratory paths into Europe. Movements along the Western Balkan route reached a peak in 2015, with almost one million crossings. From 2016, the numbers fell steadily for a few years before rising again to a high of just over 144,000 people in 2022. In 2025, Frontex communicated a 78% drop in irregular border crossings from the Balkans (a total of 21,520) – but NGOs on the ground point out that, rather than avoiding this route, people affected by migration and displacement are choosing different and more dangerous paths through the Balkans in an attempt to stay off the radar and avoid the increased border controls5. As a result, the figures may underestimate the actual number of crossings.

Unaccompanied and separated children make up an estimated 3–4% of those crossing the region, with the vast majority being male aged 15-17. UNHCR reported that 2,073 migrants were present in the Western Balkans as of the end of June 2025, including 110 unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). Of these children, 74 were present in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Children who migrate alone or separated from a family member face exacerbated risks during travel, transit and at destination, including risk of trafficking in persons, exploitation, and gender-based violence. Specific risks are also linked to the reasons why children have migrated as well as the conditions they face en route and at destination. These challenges are further compounded when national legislation, national monitoring systems, or policies are not inclusive of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking children.

While States as duty bearers have the primary responsibility of protecting the rights of all children on their territory, refugee and asylum-seeking children continue to fall outside child protection systems and are exposed to protection-related risks. This is particularly true for children with specific needs, including UASC. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the inclusion of refugee, migrant and asylum-seeking children in the social and child protection system needs to be strengthened, including improvements to the legal and policy framework.

How can you make a difference?

The consultancy will support UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina in developing a comprehensive and practical Guidelines on Best Interests Assessment and Determination of unaccompanied and separated foreign children in the context of migration and asylum who enter or are present on the territory of Bosnia and Hercegovina. The consultant will provide a comprehensive analysis of relevant laws and procedures; identify challenges, gaps and good practices; ensure consultations with key government partners and produce the Guideline that addresses the best interests of unaccompanied and separated children with a focus on durable solutions.

The development of the Guidelines will be undertaken through a consultative process involving relevant government institutions, child protection actors, migration and asylum authorities, civil society organizations, and UN agencies to ensure ownership and alignment with existing legal and institutional frameworks.

Scope of Work:

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support in developing Guidelines on Best Interests Assessment and Determination for unaccompanied and separated children by facilitating multi-sectoral consultations, undertaking legal and policy analysis, and drafting practical guidance that strengthens decision-making on durable solutions in line with international standards and national legislation.

Under the overall supervision of UNICEF, and in close coordination with the relevant Government Technical Working Group, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Legal and Policy Review

• Review national legislation, policies, regulations, protocols and standard operating procedures relevant to child protection, social welfare, alternative care, migration, refugee protection, and family reunification.
• Review applicable international and regional legal frameworks and guidance relating to Best Interests Assessment (BIA), Best Interests Determination (BID), durable solutions and case management for unaccompanied and separated children.
• Analyze the extent to which existing national frameworks are aligned with international standards and identify areas requiring strengthening.
• Stakeholder Consultation and Technical Facilitation
• Develop a consultation plan and facilitate technical consultations with child protection practitioners, social welfare and migration authorities, civil society organizations and UN agencies.
• Support technical discussions to clarify institutional mandates, referral pathways, coordination mechanisms and decision-making responsibilities relating to BID and durable solutions.
• Document consultation outcomes and incorporate recommendations into the draft Guidelines.

Development of Guidelines

Prepare draft Guidelines on Best Interests Assessment and Determination that:

• outline legal framework and durable solution including family tracing
• establish principles and standards for BID processes;
• define institutional roles and responsibilities;
• outline procedures for Best Interests Assessment and Best Interests Determination;
• establish multidisciplinary decision-making arrangements;
• provide guidance on child participation and informed decision-making;
• include safeguards relating to confidentiality, information management and data protection;
• establish documentation, review and quality assurance procedures;
• outline family tracing, family reunification and reintegration;
• outline local integration;
• define kinship care and alternative family-based care;
• outline long-term care planning and transition to adulthood for older adolescents;
• define cross-border cooperation where applicable;
• define risk assessment and protection safeguards throughout the decision-making process.

Development of Implementation Tools

Develop practical tools to facilitate implementation of the Guidelines, including:

• BID process flowcharts and list of criteria for process initiation;
• assessment templates;
• multidisciplinary panel guidance;
• documentation templates;
• referral pathway mapping;
• decision-making checklists.

Validation and Finalization

• Facilitate technical validation workshops.
• Revise the draft Guidelines based on stakeholder feedback.
• Prepare the final Guidelines and accompanying implementation tools.

Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview

Deliverables/ Outputs

Input days

Inception

Provide a detailed inception report outlining workplan, methodology and timeline, necessary desk research, stakeholder consultation agenda.

4 days

Legal and Policy Review

Conduct review of national legislation, policies, regulations, protocols and standard operating procedures relevant to child protection, social welfare, alternative care, migration, refugee protection, and family reunification and applicable international and regional legal frameworks and guidance relating to Best Interests Assessment, Best Interests Determination, durable solutions and case management for unaccompanied and separated children.

8 days

Stakeholder Consultation