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For every child, the right to protection 

Duration: March 2026 – December 2027 (about 22 months)

Home/ office Based: Remote/Home-based (with visits to the office upon request/needs), expect to spend substantial time in the office interacting with the team

BACKGROUND

Violence against children (VAC) remains a critical concern globally and in Belarus, affecting children’s health, development, and overall well-being. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive, multisectoral response, the Government of Belarus, in collaboration with UNICEF and partners, is advancing efforts to strengthen prevention, early identification, and response mechanisms to VAC.

The Republic of Belarus consistently adheres to its commitments to prevent violence against children. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Belarus, was enshrined in the 1993 Law “On the Rights of the Child”, which became the first dedicated child protection law among the former USSR countries. The prohibition to commit any violent acts against minors, enshrined in the Convention, has become an integral part of the national legislation. Belarus is also a party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the trafficking of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

At the same time, the objective of preventing violence (especially sexual violence) against minors becomes increasingly important in the Republic of Belarus in the context of improving national mechanisms for identifying and aiding children who have encountered such violence. To date, the Interministerial Working Group on Combating Sexual Violence Against Children has been established in the Republic of Belarus; the Group includes the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Investigative Committee. The Working Group has developed the National Mechanism for Helping Child Survivors of Sexual Violence, which has laid the foundation for an effective interagency response to cases of sexual violence against minors. In addition, a nation-wide network of Social and Pedagogical Centres (SPC) and Adolescent Friendly Centres (AFC) operates in the country. The scope of work of the professionals at these centres includes aiding children and adolescents who have experienced violence.

Despite significant achievements, the problem of child sexual abuse and other forms of violence against children is complex and requires comprehensive solutions. Today, the most pressing issue is improving intersectoral coordination at the national and subnational levels as well as improving the quality of services provided to children who have experienced sexual violence by strengthening the capacity of psychologists, educators, and health professionals working in this domain. No less important is the issue of professional training of frontline workers in the education, health care, social protection, and internal affairs systems in the prevention, early detection, and response to sexual violence against children. In addition, addressing sexual violence requires measures to change social norms that prevent victims from seeking help and to create supportive environments for children who have experienced sexual violence and for their legal representatives. A comprehensive model for combating sexual violence against children and adolescents will be designed and piloted by relevant Ministries as part of an intersectoral project named “Strengthening national capacity of the Republic of Belarus in preventing violence against children”. This will allow, within the project scope, to strengthen the national system for preventing not only sexual, but also other types of violence against minors. Approaches to responding to cases of violence and rehabilitation of minors who have experienced sexual violence will be strengthened.

UNICEF Belarus is seeking an experienced national consultant to provide expert technical and coordination support to the implementation of activities related to the development of a national strategy on violence against children (VAC) prevention and response. The assignment will focus on supporting national intersectoral coordination processes, contributing expert technical inputs to project documentation, and leading capacity-building and institutional strengthening efforts, in close collaboration with national stakeholders and the international consultant.

Purpose of the Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical and coordination expert support to UNICEF Belarus and national partners in the implementation of the project on prevention and response to violence against children (VAC). The assignment will focus on leading UNICEF efforts on technical documentation, intersectoral coordination mechanisms, capacity-building activities, monitoring, and reporting processes, in line with the INSPIRE framework, the Barnahus model, and relevant national policies and priorities.

Objectives of the Assignment

The specific objectives of this assignment are to:

1. Coordinate and monitor the effective implementation of project activities through timely expert inputs to key programme and technical documents.
2. Strengthen the functioning of intersectoral coordination mechanisms on VAC prevention and response, including technical working groups and stakeholder platforms.
3. Lead capacity-building efforts for national stakeholders through technical contributions to training, study visits, and knowledge-exchange activities.
4. Contribute to monitoring, documentation, and reporting of project progress, results, and lessons learned, in support of accountability and sustainability.

 Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Belarus Child Protection Specialist and in collaboration with national authorities and stakeholders and in coordination with the international consultant, the consultant will provide technical and operational support across the following areas

1. Provision of expert technical inputs and review to project-related documentation, including programme documents, conceptual frameworks, pilot design materials, training programmes, and other technical materials, as required;
2. Coordinate and communicate with the international consultant to ensure coherence and complementarity of inputs;
3. Consolidate feedback and the incorporation of relevant international expertise into national-level technical materials, subject to review and approval by UNICEF;
4. Expert support to the preparation and follow-up of study visits and project-related events, including contributions to agendas, background materials, presentations, and summary notes;
5. Support to the functioning of intersectoral working groups through stakeholder mapping, preparation of presentations, capacity-building inputs, and facilitation of collaborative processes;
6. Contributions through expert inputs and final reviews  to monitoring and reporting activities, including data collection and basic analysis, inputs to analytical summaries, donor and government reporting, and review of implementing partner reports;
7. Conduct field monitoring visits and contribution to monitoring notes and follow-up observations, as requested by UNICEF.

Detailed TOR with full description of Work Assignment Overview, Deliverables/Outputs, and Delivery deadline is available here VA - Belarus National consultant on VAC ADV.pdf

Travel (if required as per TOR):

Consultant will provide estimated budgets for travels to project sites during the contract period (places, number of visits *rate per one visit* number of days of each visit)

Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Masters) in social sciences, psychology, public policy, or related field

Work experience/Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in child protection system strengthening, VAC prevention and response, or related areas.
• Proven experience in supporting national strategy development and multisectoral mechanisms.
• Demonstrated knowledge of INSPIRE and the Barnahus model (or similar systems/models); experience in adapting these models in Eastern Europe and CIS countries is a strong asset.
• Experience in working with government and UN agencies, preferably in middle-income or post-Soviet settings.
• Fluency in Russian and working knowledge of English.

Competencies:

• Strong analytical and advisory skills.
• Strong facilitation, analytical, and coordination skills.

Requirements: 

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Interested applicants should provide a letter of interest (Cover Letter) describing how they can contribute to the interventions listed under roles and responsibilities and why they should be selected for this position. In addition, they should share their latest CV/Resume and financial proposal  Financial Offer template_National consultant on VAC.docx to undertake this job.
• Samples of the related job/tasks done.
• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal should be submitted using the financial offer template and must:
  • Reflect the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment period (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • Include travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. Consultants are responsible for arranging their own transportation arrangements. UNICEF can provide office vehicle for some duty travel missions with prior agreement as per monthly travel plan approved by the supervisor
  • Include any other costs: visa, health insurance, payment of an incidental expenditure (such as bank charges, insurances, etc.) and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable male and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.