Coordinator of the Regional Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Network

About the role

UNICEF's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) has recommended transferring leadership of the Regional Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Network to Serbia, which hosts the IECDI as a regional hub. As a consultant, you will coordinate the network, which brings together more than 150 members from 24 countries and territories, and support countries in building national, evidence-based, family-centred ECI systems.

Key responsibilities

• Develop the network's annual activity plan and support IECDI in establishing internal mechanisms to co-lead the network with UNICEF Serbia
• Organize quarterly online meetings on topics chosen by members and share ECI resources across the network
• Maintain the network database, update it with regional and global ECI developments, and promote the network and new partnerships
• Facilitate cross-country exchange between policy actors, professionals and parents, and recognize new advocacy, research and fundraising opportunities
• Technically support the development of ECI laws and roadmaps, and strengthen ECI professionals' capacity through training and webinars
• Develop regional policy briefs and give direct technical support to countries on strategies, legislation, financing, standards and professional development
• Make recommendations for the network's sustainability beyond 2027

Required profile

• Advanced degree in social sciences, social work, education, health, public health, child development, disability studies or a related field
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in ECD/ECI and disability inclusion policy, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience supporting governments and partners in developing policies, legislation, standards, roadmaps and capacity-building initiatives
• Prior engagement beyond one social sector (health, education and/or social protection)
• Familiarity with ECI and early inclusion in Serbia and Europe and Central Asia
• Fluency in Serbian and English

Required skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based ECI policies, services, workforce development and systems strengthening
• Proven experience facilitating networks, partnerships, multi-sectoral collaboration, webinars and stakeholder engagement
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desirable: experience with UNICEF or other UN agencies, membership in ECD/ECI professional associations, knowledge of additional regional languages, and experience in resource mobilization, fundraising or EU-funded programmes. The position is a consultancy appointment in Belgrade.