Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)H (no hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeCONS Local
Target Start Date2024-09-01
Job Posting End DateAugust 21, 2024
Terms of Reference1. Title of project:
Support and Technical Assistance in Establishing a New Facility for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) in Slovenia
2. Purpose of project:
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide expert technical assistance for the establishment of a new facility for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) in Postojna, Slovenia. The focus is on developing and implementing functional, child-friendly procedures at the reception and accommodation facility. These procedures will ensure a comprehensive range of interventions and services that adhere to established quality standards of care, align with best practices, and prioritize the best interests of the children.
3. Duration and dates of the assignment:
From: 1 September 2024
To: 30 November 2024
Category: Full-time
4. Location(s)
Reception and accommodation centre for unaccompanied and separated children in Postojna
5. Payment and schedule of payment
Total budgetary amount allocated for individual contract (incl. travel and DSA etc.): 13,100 EUR
Payment schedule: A first instalment of EUR 4,360 will be paid within 15 days after receiving first progress report. The second instalment of EUR 4,360 will be paid after submission of the second progress report and the submission of draft documents, including annotated flow chart, practice guidelines and guidance note. the last instalment of EUR 4,360 will be paid after the submission of the final report and beforementioned documents validated by GOSIM and UNHCR.
6. General Background of Project or Assignment:
Project Overview: In April 2024, a specialized community-based facility for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) was opened in Postojna, Slovenia, with an accommodation capacity for 70 UASC. The facility is managed by the Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants (GOSIM) and operates under the guidelines of Article 14 of the Regulation on the Method of Ensuring Adequate Accommodation, Care, and Treatment of Unaccompanied Minors. This regulation was adopted in October 2023 and amended in January 2024.
Facility Structure and Services: The new reception facility includes a reception area, an accommodation area, and a housing unit for UASC transitioning into adulthood. The facility is designed to be sensitive to Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD), with separate accommodation areas for boys, girls, and younger children. Additionally, separate accommodation and support are provided for UASC with additional vulnerabilities, such as survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), female genital mutilation (FGM), and LGBTQ+ individuals. UASC at the facility receive 24/7 support.
For UASC aged 16 and above, after assessment by a multidisciplinary team, accommodation is provided in a housing unit that promotes independent living. This unit can house up to six UASC, supported by staff who are present daily for a few hours and available on an as-needed basis.
Current Situation and Challenges: In the Posavje region, where 85% of irregular arrivals are identified, 1,488 UASC were registered by the child protection authority in 2023, and 729 UASC were registered until the end of May 2024. Before the new facility opened, older children were transferred to reception centers, while younger or more vulnerable UASC were accommodated in a student dormitory running a UASC accommodation project.
Data on asylum applications lodged by UASC in 2023 (48 claims) and 2024 (35 claims by the end of May) highlight the potential risks UASC face when deciding on onward movements.
When a UASC is identified by the police, the local child protection agency appoints a special case guardian to monitor the police procedure, interview the child, and ensure the child’s best interests are considered. Since June 2024, 260 UASC have been directly transferred to the new facility in Postojna. Upon arrival, a legal representative is appointed, and UASC are provided with basic information on the asylum procedure in Slovenia, house rules, and the risks associated with onward movements.
Statistics and Staffing: Since its opening, the facility has accommodated a total of 350 UASC, including 341 boys and 9 girls. The majority of UASC are from Afghanistan, followed by Syria and Morocco.
The facility is supported by a team of ten staff members and a head of the facility, with outsourced security services providing 24/7 security (two security staff per shift). UASC identified by the police are transferred to the reception area, which hosts 40 to 50 UASC per day, with 3 to 4 staff members providing support per shift (approximately 12 UASC per staff member per shift).
Additional Support: UNHCR partner NGO Slovene Philanthropy provides daily leisure activities from 8:00 to 18:00, funded by AMIF funds. NGO Ključ conducts trafficking in human beings (THB) screening and info sessions for UASC upon arrival. UNHCR legal partner PIC offers legal advice bi-weekly for four hours and plans to increase its presence to weekly sessions of four hours starting in August 2024.
Challenges:
- High Rate of Onward Movements: Many UASC, including those under 10, leave the facility within a few days, increasing their risk of trafficking, smuggling, exploitation, abuse, and GBV. Early interventions and vulnerability assessments are crucial to mitigating these risks.
- Lack of SOPs and Safeguarding Mechanisms: There is a need for standard operating procedures, safeguarding mechanisms, standards of practice, and functional individual care plans.
- Recruitment Delays: Recruitment has been delayed due to labor market shortages, lack of interest, few applications, and unsuitable candidates, requiring GOSIM to re-advertise positions.
- Limited Staff Capacities and Qualifications: Among the current staff, only 4 have qualifications in social work, social pedagogy, other pedagogical professions, or cultural studies.
Consultant's Role: The consultant will contribute to the establishment of child-friendly and child-sensitive center by developing the procedures at the reception and accommodation facility for UASC. This will ensure a range of interventions and services that meet established quality standards of care, align with good practices, and prioritize the best interests of the children.
7. Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
To view occupational safety and health considerations for specific duty stations, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
8. Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The child protection expert will be providing support and technical assistance in setting up a new facility for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and will be directly reporting to the Associate Protection Officer. The child protection expert will work closely with the UNHCR team in Slovenia, head of the reception and accommodation facility for UASC in Postojna, staff of the facility, legal representatives of UASC, local child protection agencies, asylum authorities, law enforcement, social services, educational systems, health systems and NGOs providing support services to UASC.
Responsibilities and Expected Results:
a) Provide support and technical assistance in setting up a new facility for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC): Develop and implement a structured approach in the form of a standard procedure flow chart to enhance collaboration and responsibility-sharing among all stakeholders. This includes the legal representatives of UASC, local child protection agencies, asylum authorities, law enforcement, social services, educational systems, and health systems.
• Final Deliverable: Annotated flow chart validated by GOSIM and UNHCR
b) Establishing Standards of Practice: Develop standards of practice for working with UASC that create a protective and empowering environment. Promote multi-disciplinary, inter-agency, and cross-sectoral collaboration, and ensure coherent individual case management.
• Final Deliverable: Practice guidelines for working with unaccompanied and separated children and youth validated by GOSIM and UNHCR.
c) Reviewing and Assessing Care Plans: Regularly review and assess individual care and support plans to ensure they meet the needs of UASC effectively.
• Final Deliverable: Overview of cases reviewed, and guidance note on best practice for drafting and managing Care Plans validated by GOSIM and UNHCR
9. Qualification and experience required:
• Advanced University degree in social work, science or other relevant field
• At least 2 - 4 years of previous working experience in the area of asylum, child protection, including through capacity building and individual case support, for example for the UN and/ or NGOs
• Ability to work in multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work in a challenging security environment
Skills and other competences:
• Excellent knowledge and oral and writing skills in Slovenian and in English.
• Strong knowledge of, and keen interest in child protection in Slovenia.
• Knowledge of asylum and refugee issues.
• Commitment to child rights.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work with children of different nationalities, religions, and cultural backgrounds.
Candidates must be legally present in Slovenia at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).
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Skills
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Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Home-BasedNo