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, a voice

How can you make a difference? 

BACKGROUND

The UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia seeks to establish a roster of experts dedicated to upholding and advancing children’s rights through specialized child protection interventions for deployments throughout the region. 

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

Requirements applicable to all Experts

• First level university degree or equivalent in psychology, social work, counseling or other field related to MHPSS. A Master’s degree in a related discipline is highly desirable. 
• Minimum 5 years relevant professional experience in one or more of the thematic areas of MHPSS in child protection as specified in this TOR is required.  
• MHPSS experience in high and middle-income countries is required.  
• Experience in Europe and Central Asia is an asset.  
• Strong knowledge of MHPSS best practices and evidence-informed approaches relevant across thematic areas detailed in this ToR is required.Strong understanding of MHPSS in Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA) and multisectoral humanitarian programming, including IASC Minimum Services Package (MSP) and other interagency tools and standards is an asset.   
• Strong understanding of MHPSS in child protection programming, including good practices for children and families in the justice, childcare, and social welfare systems is an asset. 
• Expertise focused on role of MHPSS in prevention and response to intimate partner violence in families with a member in the armed forces is highly desirable.  
• Experience with MHPSS system strengthening approaches, including advocacy, policy advisory, and technical support to governments is an asset.   
• Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating MHPSS training and workshops and provision of clinical/technical supervision to trainees and other service providers, including using remote modalities is required.  
• Knowledge of and ability to train in scalable psychological interventions and other MHPSS global tools (e.g., EASE) is an asset.     
• Demonstrated ability to design and conduct MHPSS assessments, evaluations and evidence reviews, and to craft technical and guidance documents is required.  
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to use data as evidence is required. 
• Previous work experience with UNICEF, other UN entities, NGOs, governments or other implementing partners on child protection and related thematic areas is an asset.   
• Adherence to the UN’s values and ethical standards, understanding of UNICEF’s mission and mandate, sensitivity and adaptability to diverse contexts is required. 
• Excellent spoken and written English is required, with another UN language or major language used in the ECA region an asset. 

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. 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should be submitted by 10 February 2025. 

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. Once pre-qualified, consultants will be eligible for direct recruitment by UNICEF offices in the region for a three-year period. In the selection of its staff and consultants, UNICEF is committed to gender balance, inclusion and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

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.