Current vacancies

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Results 

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose and Background:

Every child has the right to grow up in a supportive family environment. However, in Sri Lanka, as in many other countries around the globe, too many children end up living in residential care. The majority of these children are not orphans and have at least one parent or other relative. According to the Department of Census assessment in 2019, around 40% of children in institutional care have both parents, and 80% have at least one parent.

 

The immediate and long-term damage caused by family separation and unsuitable alternative care, particularly in institutions, is well documented. Institutions often have inherently harmful living arrangements. Deprived of parental care, children can endure physical, psychological, emotional, and social harm, with consequences that last a lifetime. These children are also more likely to experience violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

 

Since 2019, UNICEF has been supporting the government of Sri Lanka in developing and rolling out alternative care policies. We work with partners to create policies and programs aimed at preventing unnecessary family-child separation and protecting children deprived of parental care. Our focus is on addressing the root causes of family-child separation, strengthening child protection systems, and supporting children’s transition from institutional care to community- and family-based alternative care.

 

In particular, UNICEF works to:

•          Accelerate Efforts to and institutionalization: Through targeted programming and advocacy, UNICEF focuses on preventing family separation, strengthening gatekeeping mechanisms, and promoting reunification.

•          Strengthen families: Prevent family-child separation by implementing a comprehensive social protection approach.

•          Technical support: Provide technical support for developing assessment tools and care plans, and coordinate case management to ensure the best interests of the child throughout the process.

•          Advocacy on alternative care reforms: Engage in high-level advocacy to redirect resources in line with alternative care policies, prioritizing family-based alternative care.

•          Improve Data Systems: Enhance data collection, monitoring, and reporting systems for children in residential care.

Since 2019, UNICEF Sri Lanka has been supporting the rollout of the Alternative Care Policy and provincial action plans in all nine provinces, with a key focus on prevention, gatekeeping and effective reunification of children with their families. In 2024, 1,300 children were reunited with their families, and around 2,000 children were prevented from family separation with UNICEF's support. Currently, around 9,000 children are living in institutional care, with this number fluctuating between 8,000 and 10,000 over the last four years. Reducing this number further and breaking this cycle remains a significant challenge, with the same trend persisting for the last three years. UNICEF aims to provide high-level technical expertise to the Government of Sri Lanka in having a fresh look at options that could help address current needs and help the country make next decisive steps towards promoting family-based care for children.

In Sri Lanka, there are very few alternative care options that promote family-based care, mainly  limited to  formal and informal kinship care and “fit person’s care”. The lack of advanced family support services severely impacts the prevention of family separation and the reunification of children with their families. At the same time, as family-based care options are very limited, children for whom alternative care is an absolute necessity are often left with institutionalization as the only option of care. Consequently, most children end up in institutional care as a first option rather than a last resort. There is a pressing need to develop other alternative care options in line with family-based care principles, and further methods and services to support family strengthening.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the Consultant will support the Child Protection programme of UNICEF Sri Lanka Country Office in providing high-level technical expertise to the Government of Sri Lanka in developing family-based care options under the alternative care policy framework, developing responses to most prominent drivers of institutionalization and provide support for enhancing family strengthening methodologies and services. The consultant will be particularly instrumental in conducting feasibility analyses for the establishment of foster care in Sri Lanka and supporting various provinces in identifying family-type care options.

 

Activities and Tasks: 

Scope of Work:

Key Responsibilities:

•   Task 1. Feasibility assessment regarding foster care: Review and assess ongoing informal initiatives of piloting foster care in various provinces, undertake community and stakeholder consultations to assess the feasibility of rolling out foster care programs in selected provinces. Consider the feasibility of establishing foster care vis a vis existing legislative framework in child protection. Develop a roadmap for introducing foster care in the country (if feasibility assessment is favorable to this initiative). Support identifying a relevant country for a potential exchange visit.

•    Task 2. Review and analysis of existing family-based alternative care practices and capacity strengthening: Conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of existing practices of adoption and forms of family-based alternative care. Specifically, review the practices of using adoption (when it is used, what are the limitations, recommendations to increase its use if relevant) and fit person’s order/kinship care (most likely scenarios this form of care is used, limitations, recommendations for increased use and/or quality enhancement as relevant) in Sri Lanka.  Deliver capacity building sessions for key audiences towards promoting the use of existing family-based care options and improving their quality.

•     Task 3. Overall technical and strategic support with advancing alternative care reforms at national and subnational levels: Provide technical support to the government (both National and Provincial levels) in stocktaking and reflection to assess the current progress of the alternative care reform. Working with three selected provinces (as a model to be replicated afterwards), support the provincial Department of Probation and Child Care Services in writing up the analysis of drivers of placement in care (based on available data), developing a transformation plan of existing childcare facilities into more appropriate forms of care and strengthening prevention and reintegration efforts. 

The consultancy will play a critical role in implementing UNICEF Sri Lanka’s ongoing alternative care programs, bringing high-level technical expertise and knowledge to UNICEF’s engagement with the government, children, communities, children's homes, and CSOs. Additionally, the consultancy will support the integration of various practical suggestions related to alternative care placement and ongoing practices and will help identify additional areas of potential programming.

 

Task 1. Feasibility assessment regarding foster care:

•          Review and assess ongoing informal initiatives of piloting foster care in various provinces.

•          Undertake community and stakeholder consultations to assess the feasibility of rolling out foster care programs in selected provinces.

•          Consider the feasibility of establishing foster care vis a vis existing legislative framework in child protection.

•          Develop a roadmap for introducing foster care in the country (if feasibility assessment is favorable to this initiative).

•          Support identifying a relevant country for a potential exchange visit.

1.1.      Participatory workshop and focus group discussion with Government officers, CSOs, parents, community members including religious leaders and children on foster care modelling and adoptability for their regions prepared and conducted (Preparation - remote work and focus group discussions in- country work).

1.2.      Training sessions delivered (1-2 days per session, a maximum of 2 sessions in different locations) on key principles of foster care for child protection officers in selected provinces (in-country work)

1.3.      Bilateral meetings with the National and Provincial Departments of Probation and Childcare Services and the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), which has already initiated the legal process for foster care, have been completed and the current status has been analysed (in-country work).

1.4.      Assessment report or presentation on ongoing informal initiatives of foster care in provinces and their compliance with international standards on family based alternative care

            Short Guidance note / short policy brief on the feasibility of   establishing foster care vis a vis existing legislative framework in child protection.

1.5       Road map of introducing foster care in the country, including an expansion plan.

 

Task 2. Review and analysis of existing family-based alternative care practices and capacity strengthening

•          Review the practices of using adoption (when it is used, what are the limitations, recommendations to increase its use if relevant)

•          Review the practices of using fit person’s order/kinship care (most likely scenarios this form of care is used, limitations, recommendations for increased use and/or quality enhancement as relevant)

•          Deliver capacity building sessions for key audiences towards promoting the use of existing family-based care options and improving their quality.

2.1.      Diagnostic meetings or small workshop on exiting practices on adoption and different forms of family based alternative care with Probation Officers, managers of childcare residential homes, CSOs and other stakeholders (in-country work)

2.2.      Brief recommendations (2 separate documents) for National Probation and Childcare authorities and Provincial Probation and Childcare authorities on increased use and/or quality enhancement of adoption practices and fit person/kinship care on ensuring more family-based care (remote work)

2.3.      A maximum of 3 workshops or trainings delivered for various audiences (to be determined after the diagnostic assessments) of various family-based care options available and adoption practice improvements (in-country work)

 

Task 3. Overall technical and strategic support with advancing alternative care reforms at national and subnational levels:

•          Provide technical support to the government (both National and Provincial levels) in stocktaking and reflection to assess the current progress of alternative care reform.

•          Working with three selected provinces, (a) support the provincial Department of Probation and Child Care Services in writing up the analysis of drivers of placement in care (based on available data); (b) develop transformation plans of existing childcare facilities into more appropriate forms of care and strengthening prevention and reintegration efforts. 

3.1.      Overview of available administrative data on the progress of the alternative care reform in the country, with a report and presentation produced. (remote work)

3.2.      Consultations with Probation officers, other relevant government officers (GA,DS, GS) managers of residential care, children, and communities on current progress in the field, challenges and further improvements organised (in-country work)

3.3.      Development of a technical guidance note on accelerating alternative reforms with the objective of avoiding family separation and increasing the availability of family-based care options. 

3.4.      For each of the three selected provinces, develop an analytical document on drivers of placement in care (in cooperation with respective DPCCS).

3.5.      For each of the three selected provinces, prepare a transformation plan existing childcare facilities into more appropriate forms of care and strengthening prevention and reintegration efforts. 

3.6.      Lead the preparation and delivery of a summary workshop in Colombo with national and provincial DPCCS to consolidate the findings of the stocktaking on the progress of alternative care reform and agree on ways to accelerate it.

 

Working days, travel and timeline

The consultant is expected to work approximately 60 days from July 2025 to end of February 2026, providing remote expertise (~30 days) and in-country support (~30 days). The consultant is expected to travel to Sri Lanka two or three times for a total of 30 days between July 2025 and February 2026. Travel dates can be discussed and agreed upon to accommodate the consultant’s schedule when possible. Please refer to the above with tasks and deliverables for more details.

 

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

 

Minimum Qualifications required:

Masters - Advanced degree in social work, psychology, human rights, development studies or other domain in social sciences

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

-           Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience of working in child protection, especially alternative care reforms and consulting.

 -           Experience of working on alternative care reforms, in an advisory role to the governments internationally.

-           Proven experience of working on advancing family-based care options – especially foster care - and knowledge of international best practices applicable in various contexts

-           Ability to convey complex concept in a concise and convincing manner to government, stakeholders and varied audiences

-           Experience with leading consultative processes with government, CSOs, children, communities and other stakeholders

-           Prior work experience with UNICEF is an asset.

-           Ability to work independently, good planning and coordination

-           Ability to adapt and contextualise international practices to local context

-           Effective oral and written communication in English and proven ability to write clearly and concisely

 

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate in LKR to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable) 

** Please note:

Remuneration for the consultant will be based on deliverables (see above Deliverables). Consultant should calculate his/her fees as a lump sum, inclusive of all fees and costs associated with the consultancy, such as daily fees, travel to Sri Lanka (maximum of three trips budgeted), accommodation, and other related costs. Apart from the consultancy fees, UNICEF will directly cover the consultant’s in-country travel from Colombo to other locations as relevant.

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered  

 

Duration of the consultancy:  July 2025 – February 2026

Duty station – Home based, Sri Lanka

 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.