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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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to empowerment

In Bulgaria, UNICEF is implementing a Country Programme Document for 2023-2027, which has prioritized prevention of early school leaving, social inclusion, and empowering adolescent boys and girls, particularly those from disadvantaged and marginalized communities with innovation, skills and opportunities for engagement and for a successful transition to adulthood and work. To achieve this and address some of the challenges mentioned above, in 2024 UNICEF Bulgaria Country Office has initiated the piloting of the Upshift programme in the country to support essential skills building of Bulgarian adolescents through both formal and non-formal learning settings and services, tasked with the mandate of adolescent and young people engagement, school dropout prevention, and youth skills-building.

Upshift is a UNICEF’s global flagship programme for engaging adolescents and building skills that empowers young people to thrive and drive positive change. By fostering 21st century skills and entrepreneurship mindset, the Upshift programme contributes to the social and economic inclusion of adolescents and young people, while building their confidence, resilience, and agency. The programme also nurtures motivation and a sense of social accountability among the young participants, empowering them to take charge of their lives and make a positive impact on their communities.

In Bulgaria, Upshift is in its initial phase of implementation. The programme is being adapted and tested through various entry points including the education system, local youth centers and other community services. This process is carried out in collaboration with the government, local authorities, schools, youth centers, young people, and the private sector. In 2025 -2026, UNICEF aims to scale up UPSHIFT programme through multiple pathways, such as international youth centers, chitalisha (community cultural centers), schools, and civil society organizations.

How can you make a difference? 

The primary objective of this consultancy is to support UNICEF Bulgaria Country Office and its partners in the implementation and subsequent scale-up of the Upshift programme across both non-formal learning and formal education settings. The consultant will provide strategic and operational support to ensure effective delivery, adaptation, and sustainability of the programme.

Key Responsibilities and Activities:

1. Coordination and technical support for programme implementation

• Facilitate coordination with implementing partners for the organization and delivery of youth innovation bootcamps under the Upshift programme.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance and support to partners throughout the programme.
• Support partners to adapt and tailor Upshift content to diverse local contexts, ensuring alignment with the specific change goals of participating youth.
• Support the recruitment and selection of mentors for the programme.
• Design and deliver capacity-building activities for implementing partners and mentors to enhance their understanding and facilitation of the Upshift curriculum, responding to emerging needs.
• Assist in the implementation of youth-led initiatives and projects.

2. Development and localization of programme resources

• Contribute to the finalization of the Upshift implementation package.
• Support the adaptation of global guidelines and methodologies to the Bulgarian context.
• Assist in the localization of online video materials to ensure cultural and linguistic relevance.

3. Project documentation

• Maintain up-to-date records on project implementation, progress, and outcomes.
• Support implementing partners with reporting, communication, and the documentation of human-interest stories.

4. Stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships

• Promote the Upshift programme through collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Facilitate a community of practice among implementing partners to foster knowledge exchange and share best practices.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the detailed description of the assignment in the attached file.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree in Social sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Strategic and Project Management, Public Policy, Education, Psychology, and other related fields.

Work Experience: Minimum 5 (five) years of professional experience in working with adolescents/youth and cross-sectoral programme design, with recognized technical expertise in the following areas of adolescent programming: civic and youth participation, 21st century skills, adolescent girls’ and boys’ empowerment, partnerships with and for young people, social innovation.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• Demonstrated experience in project management, preferably in education, non-formal learning, and youth skills building.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering capacity building activities and programmes targeted at adolescents and young people.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in adolescents/youth participation, innovation and civic engagement
• Excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with multi-stakeholders’ team and multidisciplinary teams.
• An ability to work independently, meet deadlines and respond to requests and feedback provided in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Respect for cultural diversity and human rights.

Language Requirements: Excellent English language skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

 Description of Assignment.docx