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, hope.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, countries across Europe have welcomed more than 5 million Ukrainians, which over 30 per cent are children. Many have faced challenges and lacked access to education and support services. To address this, UNICEF has launched a number of initiatives to support national education systems become inclusive and serve the needs of refugee learners.

UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) is looking for an International Consultant who has expertise in inclusive education and social integration of refugee children and youth to capture promising practices and lessons learned from the UNICEF Europe and Central Asia system strengthening approach in the education sector both in emergencies and refugee response. The Consultant will be home-based. This documentation will contribute to UNICEF’s global knowledge on successful programming at the humanitarian development nexus.

Scope of Work

The purpose of this assignment is to work closely with the Education section in UNICEF ECARO to document promising practices and lessons learned in strengthening national education systems to be inclusive, focusing on refugee inclusion and emergency response. Countries to be highlighted include Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria. The consultant will be expected to produce a report, which should:

1. Include report scope, methodology and limitations;
2. Include an overall summary of UNICEF ECARO’s approach to system strengthening through education in emergencies programming and interventions, linking to UNICEF’s global approach and priority for system strengthening in the education sector;
3. Feature multiple case studies of system strengthening and programming at the nexus resulting in more inclusive national education systems;
4. Be proofread and submitted in final form, and read as one coherent report that can be usable by UNICEF education staff and policymakers;
5. Include the latest links and references, if any are mentioned.

Work Assignment Overview

Estimated Duration of the Contract

24 working days between July and August 2025

Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be home-based with no travels foreseen.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 24 working days to undertake this assignment.

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

Required:

• An advanced University Degree in one or more of the following areas: Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, or other relevant degree
• At least 5 years of experience in education project management and system strengthening, research, monitoring and evaluation or consultancy roles.
• Proven record of strong analytical and report writing skills.
• Fluency in English is required

Desired:

• Previous experience of working in Eastern Europe or refugee response countries is an asset.
• Experience working with or in UN organization.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mission and mandate is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most marginalized children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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:

Please include:

• a full CV,
• a Cover Letter detailing how you intend to undertake the assignment, 
• two (2) samples of similar previous work (1-2 pages of a case-study, or similar document)

in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and professional fee (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

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.