Current vacancies

UNICEF Brazil has the qualification of early childhood care services as a key priority to guarantee children's rights and full development in the first years of life. In the current Country Program (2024-2028), the early childhood development (ECD) agenda is covered in a cross-sectoral way in the different programmatic areas (Health and Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, and Social Policies), as well as through core delivery strategies such as UNICEF Seal and #AgendaCidadeUNICEF. 

One of the key ECD initiatives focused on urban centers is the UAPI – Unidade Amiga da Primeira Infância, a strategy created in 2019 by the municipal government of Fortaleza in partnership with UNICEF, that provides technical assistance, training, monitoring and certification to Primary Health Care Units (UBSs), Municipal Early Education Centers (CMEIs), and Reference Centers of Social Assistance (CRAS). The main goal is to improve services delivery, offering adequate services to pregnant women, children under 6 years old and their families, by strengthening the skills of professionals and focusing on results-based management. Currently nine capitals signed a partnership with UNICEF to join the UAPI initiative under a 18-month cycle (starting on September 2025): Belém, Boa Vista, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Paulo and São Luís. 

Within the scope of this initiative, UNICEF has supported the expansion of the UAPI methodology into the Social Assistance sector, with a focus on strengthening services for children and families within CRAS units and promoting coordination with the Health and Education sectors. The pilot phase was first implemented in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro and subsequently scaled to Belém and Recife in 2024.

In the current cycle, UNICEF Brazil has established a unified methodology for UAPI Social Assistance, in close alignment with the Ministry of Social Development. This methodology defines key guidelines, systemic results, and core indicators aimed at enhancing CRAS efforts to promote holistic child development. Further details on the complete methodology can be found here.

To support the implementation of UAPI Social Assistance in six capitals (Belém, Manaus, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Luís), UNICEF seeks an expert with both practical and academic experience in the Social Assistance policy, combining technical support for knowledge-building and direct field-based understanding of the dynamics of Basic Social Protection at the territorial level.

Strong expertise in basic social protection and early childhood development.  The consultant will provide direct support to all UNICEF field offices in the roll-out of UAPI, including structured missions to municipalities in situations of greater vulnerability, while also addressing national demands related to ECD and Social Policy. This includes refining the UAPI methodology, developing an evaluation and certification framework, designing monitoring tools, structuring training calendars, and assessing baseline indicators.

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

SCOPE OF WORK:

The selected consultant will: 

1. At the national level, provide technical assistance to UNICEF’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Social Protection teams.
2. Provide technical assistance to UNICEF field offices, including online meetings with staff, Municipal Secretariats of Social Assistance, and Scientific Committees, to address doubts and major issues related to the implementation of the methodology.
3. Conduct structured field missions to the 06 municipalities (01 travel for each capital), supporting local CRAS units in the implementation of the UAPI Social Assistance methodology.
4. Develop an evaluation methodology and certification framework to assess the quality and results of UAPI Social Assistance implementation.
5. Design and validate monitoring tools to track progress against systemic results and core indicators, including the data collection and analysis of baseline and intermediate data.
6. Support the structuring and coordination of training calendars, in alignment with the national capacity-building pathways defined by the Ministry of Social Development and UNICEF.
7. Provide regular progress reports to UNICEF Brazil, highlighting lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for strengthening implementation of UAPI Assistência Social.

DELIVERABLES 

The consultancy is expected to produce the following deliverables: 

1. Inception and Onboarding Meetings (by month 1)

Conduct virtual meetings with UNICEF Brazil (Brasília) and the six field offices to review priorities, map existing needs and demands, and finalize a detailed work plan and timeline.

2. Baseline Monitoring Tools (by month 2)

Design and validate practical tools to collect and analyze baseline and intermediate data, ensuring alignment with systemic results and core indicators. Deliver a consolidated baseline tool for participating municipalities.

First Payment – 20% (by month 1–2)
– Upon delivery and approval of the Inception Report (including work plan, timeline and findings from the situation analysis of UAPI Social Assistance in each of the 6 capitals)

3. Training Calendar and Capacity-Building Plan (by month 5)

Develop a comprehensive training schedule aligned with national capacity-building pathways (MDS and UNICEF), including a field mission calendar for the six capitals (one visit per capital).

Second Payment – 30% (by month 5)
– Upon the delivery of baseline monitoring tool and the delivery of training calendar and capacity-building plan, including the field mission calendar.

4. Evaluation and Certification Framework (by month 6)

Develop a structured methodology and framework to evaluate the quality and outcomes of UAPI Social Assistance implementation, including certification criteria and processes.

5. Monitoring Tools Package (by month 6)

Assessing the quality of the data from the baseline dashboard, and support systematic monitoring of results and indicators by UNICEF and municipalities.

Third Payment – 30% (by month 8)
– Upon delivery and approval of the Evaluation and Certification Framework and monitoring of baseline indicators.

6. Mission Reports (ongoing, after each mission)

Produce detailed reports for each field mission, documenting findings, progress, challenges, and recommendations for follow-up actions at municipal and national levels.

7. Final Consolidated Report (by month 12)

Deliver a comprehensive report compiling methodology refinements, monitoring results, evaluation and certification framework, training activities, field mission outcomes, and lessons learned to inform the national scale-up of UAPI Social Assistance. 

Final Payment – 20% (by month 12)
– Upon delivery and approval of the Final Consolidated Report, incorporating methodology refinements, mission findings, monitoring results, training implementation, and lessons learned.

DURATION OF CONTRACT:  12 months

TRAVEL PLAN:

The consultant is expected to undertake up to six (6) in-country missions during deliverables 4 and 5, with one visit to each of the six participating capitals (Belém, Manaus, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Luís). Each mission will last approximately 2 working days and will include technical meetings with municipal Social Assistance Secretariats, CRAS units, and local partners, as well as field monitoring activities.

Travel costs (transportation, accommodation, and daily subsistence allowance) must be covered in the consultant’s financial proposal and must be in accordance with UNICEF’s travel policies and procedures. Additional missions may be considered if deemed necessary and subject to prior approval by UNICEF.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED 

• Academic background in Social Assistance, Social Services, Social Sciences, Political Science and/or or related areas (bachelor’s, master's or doctoral degree); 

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the Social Assistance policy, with a particular focus on Basic Social Protection.   
• Solid knowledge of policies and programs for Early Childhood Development (ECD) within the SUAS.
• Knowledge on results-based management and early childhood development;  
• Experience at government/public service level and early childhood development is considered an asset; 

• Knowledge of the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) will be an asset. 

• Excellent communication and writing skills. 

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY:

Brazilian Portuguese

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

PAYMENT 

Payment will be made in four installments, upon satisfactory submission and approval of the following deliverables by UNICEF:

1. First Payment – 20% (by month 1–2)
   – Upon delivery and approval of the Inception Report (including work plan, timeline and findings from the situation analysis of UAPI Social Assistance in each of the 6 capitals)
2. Second Payment – 30% (by month 5)
   – Upon the delivery of baseline monitoring tool and the delivery of training calendar and capacity-building plan, including the field mission calendar.
3. Third Payment – 30% (by month 8)
   – Upon delivery and approval of the Evaluation and Certification Framework and monitoring of baseline indicators.
4. Final Payment – 20% (by month 12)
   – Upon delivery and approval of the Final Consolidated Report, incorporating methodology refinements, mission findings, monitoring results, training implementation, and lessons learned.

Payments will be processed within 15 days of product approval by UNICEF staff. 

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.

UNICEF’S CORE VALUES

Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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 for ensuring 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.