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, Protection

Scope of the work:

Italy remains one of the main entry points into Europe for refugees and migrants fleeing conflicts, violence, and deprivation. The significant presence of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) (around 19,000 in reception centers as of October 2024) and the increasing number of UASC who have recently turned 18 continue to be a concern. During transit and at their destinations, UASC, young migrants, and refugees still face numerous challenges, with considerable gaps remaining in the realization of their rights and in achieving full physical and mental well-being. One of the key issues of concern is that many do not feel heard and lack trusted individuals to talk to. Although they should be fully informed about decisions that affect them and have their opinions considered, this is often not the case in practice.

In response to these challenges, UNICEF’s migrant and refugee response in Italy introduced U-Report On The Move in 2016—an adapted version of U-Report for UASC, young migrants, and refugees. As of October 2024, almost 17,500 U-Reporters are registered on U-Report On The Move, which is recognized as a best practice model within the global U-Report community, with several of its features being replicated by other On The Move platforms globally. Since 2020, scale-up efforts have intensified through a team of Social Mobilizers who promote the platform across reception centers that host unaccompanied and separated children, young migrants, and refugees, fostering their engagement and participation.

Registration on the platform is open to all; however, given participants' young age and varying language abilities, social mobilization is essential for scaling up. Through workshops, psychosocial activities, and interactive sessions, Social Mobilizers engage with young migrants and refugees to explain the scope of the platform and its tools, promoting digital engagement and providing crucial support.

Key responsibilities include:

• Promoting the U-Report On The Move platform and related digital tools in reception centres and alternative care (case famiglia, comunita’ educative, gruppi appartamento etc.) reaching unaccompanied and separated children, young migrants, refugees and frontline workers;
• Planning of social mobilization activities, oversight of day-to-day activities of the social mobilizers team and reporting on results.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Strengthen and expand the network of reception centres and alternative care (case famiglia, gruppi appartamento etc.) for the promotion of U-Report On The Move and related tools;
• Prepare and co-facilitate mobilization sessions;
• Regularly track & report on mobilization sessions, registration & engagement of UASC and young migrants and refugees.

How can you make a different?

Work location: Home-based in Italy

To apply:

Applicants are invited to: 

1. Complete their UNICEF profile;
2. Submit a financial proposal with a daily fee in EUR. Applications without fees will not be considered.

- Payment schedule: The consultant will be paid based on satisfactory and timely submission of deliverables.

- Duration: 146 working days during 11.5 months- 14 January 2025– December 2025

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

• University Degree is desired in social or educational science, international affairs or intercultural communication.
• Diploma or equivalent in cultural and linguistic mediation, social mobilizer or at least 2 years of experience accompanied by professional certifications may replace the degree

• Relevant professional experience of at least 2 years in youth engagement is required;
• Experience in working with vulnerable groups of youth (e.g., children and adolescents with a migration background or with low socio-economic background, etc.) is required;
• Fluency in Italian and English are required;
• Demonstrated social mobilization skills are required;
• Good computer skills (Office package) are required
• Have a solid understanding on the local context where the activity takes place;[MLM1] [LD2] 

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 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/individual contractors 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:  

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.