Purpose of consultancy:

In 1994, 179 countries adopted a landmark Programme of Action during the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), held in Cairo, Egypt. The ICPD Programme of Action (ICPD PoA) transformed the way in which the linkages between population, poverty reduction, and sustainable development were addressed – by putting the rights, needs, and aspirations of individual human beings at the center of sustainable development. The ICPD PoA lays out a far-sighted plan for advancing human well-being that places the human rights of individuals, rather than numerical population targets, at the center of the global development agenda. It emphasizes the value of investing in women and girls, both as an end in itself and as a key to improving the quality of life for everyone.
It also affirms the importance of sexual and reproductive health, including family planning, as a precondition for women’s empowerment.
Further, the ICPD PoA highlights the crucial links between sexual and reproductive health and rights in almost every aspect of population and development, from urbanization, migration, and aging to changing family structures and the importance of addressing the rights of young people. It calls attention to the ways in which investing in women and youth, especially in their sexual and reproductive health, can impact environmental sustainability and population dynamics.
Governments that embraced the ICPD PoA and reaffirmed it in subsequent intergovernmental fora and reviews, should continue to invest in its full and accelerated
implementation, and support concrete actions to that effect, within the overall context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Furthermore, to fulfill the unfinished business of the ICPD PoA it is crucial to enable those civil society organizations, movements, institutions, and individuals, who defend and promote its implementation to be able to work freely in a safe environment, including through the active protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights and human rights defenders.
The UN Commission on Population and Development is responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and assessing the implementation of the ICPD PoA. Each year, the Commission reviews different themes related to the ICPD, with 5-year reviews of the implementation of the Programme of Action in 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019, culminating in the 30-year review in 2024.
In 2019, the governments of Kenya and Denmark and UNFPA co-convened the Nairobi Summit on ICPD+25, a high-level conference to mobilize the political will and financial commitments for the full implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action. The Government of Serbia committed to a total of nine commitments which, amongst all, are targeting the achievement of the three zeros: i/zero unmet need for family planning, ii/ zero preventable maternal deaths, and iii/ zero sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls.

From 19 to 20 October 2023, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Population Fund Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (UNFPA EECARO) will hold a Regional Conference on ICPD@30 to acknowledge progress, identify emerging trends, and highlight priorities for the way forward. The Conference will take place in Geneva and its outcomes will inform the global review of the ICPD@30, which will take place at the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development in April 2024 The Government of the Republic of Serbia, led by the Ministry of Family Welfare and Demography, has committed to reviewing the progress of the ICPD Programme of Action in light of the 30 anniversary of its implementation. UNFPA CO Serbia will support the Government in this process by engaging a consultant.

The purpose of this consultancy is to engage a national consultant who will support the Government to develop the progress report for the ICPD30 review in Serbia. The consultant will analyze the national progress on the ICPD Programme of Action implementation utilizing the regional ICPD monitoring framework and UNECE Chair summary. Throughout the progress assessment, the consultant will also take into consideration the Serbian commitments from the Nairobi Summit The report will use quantitative (ICPD-related indicators disaggregated whenever possible by sex, age, location, income, disability, migrants’ status, ethnicity, etc.) and qualitative analysis of policies in place and implementation. Special attention will be given to population groups, which are considered in the 2015 SDGs Resolution as “leaving no one behind”. Moreover, the report will include data from the 2022 Census and the new “Survey on secondary school students’ Attitudes and Opinions on health behavior including sexual reproductive health and Family” conducted by the Ministry of Family Welfare and Demography.
In September 2023, the Government of Serbia will convene stakeholder consultation with Government bodies, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, NGOs, academia, representatives of young people and older persons, faith-based organizations, the private sector, local municipalities, and media. The purpose of the consultation is to collect relevant information for assessing the progress of the implementation of the commitments. The national consultant will support the Government in identifying the information to be included in the national progress report and foster a shared understanding of achievements, challenges, and a path forward in implementing the ICPD PoA. The consultations will be in the form of a social dialogue organized by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue in partnership with the Ministry of Family Welfare and Demography. The consultant will also support the delegation members in their preparation for their participation at the Geneva meeting in October.

The consultant will report to the focal point assigned by the Ministry of Family Welfare and Demography, and to the UNFPA CO Serbia.

Scope of work:

Task 1. With a quantitative research methodology, assess the progress of the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action objectives by using the timeline milestone from the SDG 2023 related indicators. The progress of the objectives will be grouped into the following three categories: i) on track and will meet the target with the current pace, ii) need to accelerate the current rate in order to meet the target, iii) regression or no progress.
Task 2: With a qualitative research methodology, assess the national legal frameworks and policies in place which are addressing the issues in Serbia, stipulated in the Chair Summary and Nairobi Summit Commitments.
Task 3. Develop the draft progress report for the ICPD@30 review in the Serbian language in line with the agreed outline and with the guidance of the HQ Guidance Note.
Task 4. Support the Government of Serbia in the organization of the convening of stakeholder consultation with Government bodies, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, NGOs, academia, representatives of young people and older persons, faith-based organizations, the private sector, local municipalities, and media for gathering recommendations and/or solutions for accelerating the progress of the ICPD Program of action in Serbia.
Task 5. Based on the solutions and recommendations from the stakeholder consultation, develop the final progress report for the ICPD review in the Serbian language, including recommendations for the way forward of accelerating the ICPD Programme of Action.
Task 6. Prepare a presentation that reflects the report’s key findings and suggestions for the way forward, as well as information for three infographics that focus on population dynamics and sustainable development; family, sexual and reproductive health over the life course; inequalities, social inclusion, and rights.
Task 7. Provide support in the preparation of information/materials for the participation of the Delegation of the Republic of Serbia at the Regional meeting on the ICPD@30 which will be held in Geneva from 19 until 20 October 2023.

Expected duration from 15 June – 1 November 2023 (to invest up to 20 days).

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Qualifications in social policy development, public health, sociology, or related field (Diploma from recognized universities);
2. At least 5 years of proven experience in data collecting, analysis, and assessment, skills to crunch data, and ability to work with vast amounts of data;
3. Professional knowledge and/or experience in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, youth development and engagement, and the overall issue of population dynamics;
4. Previous experience in delivering similar assignments;
5. Strong quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical skills;
6. Excellent writing and reporting skills;
7. Excellent consultation and engagement skills;
8. UN experience is an asset.

UNFPA CO Serbia will provide support in communication with the relevant institutions, stakeholders, and academic community in the Republic of Serbia at all stages of the activity.

Applicants should send their resume (CV) with a motivation letter to vacancies.serbia@unfpa.org, no later than 15th June 2023, 1.00 PM CET