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Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Slovakia has seen a rapid influx of persons fleeing hostilities and seeking protection. More than 2 million individuals from Ukraine have crossed the borders into Slovakia. Some of them have remained in Slovakia, with a total of 132,775 refugees from Ukraine recorded in Slovakia (as of March 2025).

Ukrainian adolescents and youth in Slovakia are particularly vulnerable and hardest to reach because they are not engaging with services available to them and are missing from the systems of support and protection. An important number of adolescents still attend online schooling, raising concerns about social isolation and mental health issues. For many Ukrainian youth, displacement means a trade-off between learning and earning, with many working in low skill “grey economy jobs”. These youth face specific constraints and vulnerabilities that prevent them from using or benefiting from education and/or labour market opportunities.

As of February 2025, 10,535 Ukrainian refugees are enrolled in schools across Slovakia (2,045 are enrolled in upper secondary schools, out of which 1,433 are in Vocational Education and Training, and 8 in special schools) ). [1]

Approximately 5,000 Ukrainian refugees aged 16-18 are in Slovakia. Furthermore, around 6,000 Ukrainians (under 18 years of age) are in Slovak universities that are not well-equipped to support underage students. It is estimated that 40% of first-year Ukrainian students drop out. Furthermore, concerning child protection issues have been observed in relation to underage Ukrainian university students, particularly around social and legal protection (such as guardianship) and accommodation conditions, safeguarding measures and access to essential services. In addition, a significant number of Ukrainian adolescents aged 15 to 18 are struggling with the psychological impact of war and displacement. More than half (58%) feel they have no control over their lives, highlighting a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. Additionally, 39% report lacking the stamina or energy needed for daily activities, while 42% experience persistent fear and anxiety. Many also struggle with social connections - 38% distance themselves from loved ones, and 32% primarily interact with other Ukrainians online rather than engaging with people offline.

To address these challenges, UNICEF has been implementing the Pathways Initiative, an initiative to support Ukrainian adolescents and youth in Slovakia in accessing opportunities for continued education and skills building, career guidance and first job opportunities to enable their transition to work, in combination with holistic protection and mental health support elements. Pathways brings together and engages relevant stakeholders (government ministries, private sector, youth service providers, labour offices, municipalities, self-governing regions, etc.) to collectively strengthen services and opportunities that respond to the needs of Ukrainian adolescents and youth.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Slovakia has seen a rapid influx of persons fleeing hostilities and seeking protection. More than 2 million individuals from Ukraine have crossed the borders into Slovakia. Some of them have remained in Slovakia, with a total of 132,775 refugees from Ukraine recorded in Slovakia (as of March 2025).

Ukrainian adolescents and youth in Slovakia are particularly vulnerable and hardest to reach because they are not engaging with services available to them and are missing from the systems of support and protection. An important number of adolescents still attend online schooling, raising concerns about social isolation and mental health issues. For many Ukrainian youth, displacement means a trade-off between learning and earning, with many working in low skill “grey economy jobs”. These youth face specific constraints and vulnerabilities that prevent them from using or benefiting from education and/or labour market opportunities.

As of February 2025, 10,535 Ukrainian refugees are enrolled in schools across Slovakia (2,045 are enrolled in upper secondary schools, out of which 1,433 are in Vocational Education and Training, and 8 in special schools). Approximately 5,000 Ukrainian refugees aged 16-18 are in Slovakia. Furthermore, around 6,000 Ukrainians (under 18 years of age) are in Slovak universities that are not well-equipped to support underage students. It is estimated that 40% of first-year Ukrainian students drop out. Furthermore, concerning child protection issues have been observed in relation to underage Ukrainian university students, particularly around social and legal protection (such as guardianship) and accommodation conditions, safeguarding measures and access to essential services. In addition, a significant number of Ukrainian adolescents aged 15 to 18 are struggling with the psychological impact of war and displacement. More than half (58%) feel they have no control over their lives, highlighting a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. Additionally, 39% report lacking the stamina or energy needed for daily activities, while 42% experience persistent fear and anxiety. Many also struggle with social connections - 38% distance themselves from loved ones, and 32% primarily interact with other Ukrainians online rather than engaging with people offline.

To address these challenges, UNICEF has been implementing the Pathways Initiative, an initiative to support Ukrainian adolescents and youth in Slovakia in accessing opportunities for continued education and skills building, career guidance and first job opportunities to enable their transition to work, in combination with holistic protection and mental health support elements. Pathways brings together and engages relevant stakeholders (government ministries, private sector, youth service providers, labour offices, municipalities, self-governing regions, etc.) to collectively strengthen services and opportunities that respond to the needs of Ukrainian adolescents and youth.

Implementation of the Pathways pilot comes to a close in June 2025. A key component of the closure process is to bring a successful model for further scale up and sustainability through national or relevant regional and local systems, aligned with national priorities and strategies in youth empowerment (ex. Slovakia’s Youth Strategy, Youth Guarantee, mental health reform, etc.), based on the results and lessons learned of the Pathways experience. Central to this effort is the targeted engagement with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (MoLSAF) to integrate child protection measures, case management and community-based mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in its “SPACES” programme (youth work centers for individuals who are NEET) under MoLSAF’s operationalization of the Youth Guarantee. Engagement with the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth (MoE) is needed to integrate measures on child protection, case management and MHPSS to support Ukrainian refugees in the national Youth Strategy. Moreover, technical support will be required for the smooth hand-over of Pathways’ digital platform (online one-stop shop with key information and resources for Ukrainian adolescents related to learning opportunities, career counselling, MHPSS, etc.) to MoLSAF and Ministry of Health.

In this context, UNICEF ECARO is seeking a Child Protection Consultant, with specific experience on the inclusion and integration of Ukrainian refugees, to provide technical support on sustaining the Pathways approach in Slovakia’s national priorities and strategies in youth empowerment, particularly in the areas of child protection and MHPSS.

The consultant will be home-based and will report to the Programme Manager (Pathways). The consultant will work in close coordination with the Education and ADAP sections of ECARO, as well as with other consultants working on Pathways (education and SBC).

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Programme Manager (Pathways), and in close collaboration with Education, ADAP and Child Protection sections of ECARO as well as with other consultants working on Pathways (education and coordination), the Consultant will provide technical support to MoLSAF and other counterparts for integrating child protection, case management, and community-based mental health services for Ukrainian refugee children within the SPACES framework, based on the Pathways one stop shop model experience.

The scope of work entails:

1. Provide technical support to ensure that measures (on child protection, case management, community-based MHPSS) to include and support Ukrainian refugee children and other vulnerable groups are integrated and mainstreamed in the SPACES, working with MoLSAF, regional committees and the SPACES providers (self-governing regions), as well as the coordinator consortium (to be selected by MoLSAF in spring 2025) to develop the methodological guidance for SPACES.

2. Participate in the national technical working group on MHPSS to provide technical inputs for the ongoing reform of MHPSS services based on the lessons learned from Pathway’s implementation, shaping methodological recommendations for the integration of community-based MHPSS in the operations of the SPACES and education services. Advocate for the incorporation of Child Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support components into the operational framework and methodology of MoLSAF-operated SPACEs.

3. Provide technical support to MoLSAF and MoE on incorporating measures in the Youth Guarantee and Youth Strategy, respectively, focusing on child protection, case management, MHPSS, coordination and networking with relevant stakeholders/actors and support for vulnerable populations.

4. Complete the hand-over of Pathways’ digital one-stop shop platform, working with MoLSAF and MoH to facilitate and guide the decision-making process for the smooth transfer of ownership of the platform (domain and hosting).

The Consultant will develop monthly work plans based on the key deliverables, participate in biweekly debriefs on progress, and submit monthly written reports against the work plan at the end of each month (in English).

Work modality: Part - time home-based consultancy: 72 working days over 4 months period between August and November 2025. Local travels are planned: 2 trips to Kosice and 2 trips to other municipalities (2 days per trip). 

Work assignment, Deliverables and deadlines:

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

• A Master’s Degree in psychology, sociology, international development, human rights, international law, or another relevant social science field is required.    
• • Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in child protection and MHPSS programme, policymaking and research, at the international level with experience in the Slovak Republic or similar context is required.
• Relevant experience working with Slovak national authorities is required.
• Fluency in English is required
• Fluency in Slovak is required
• Experience working on the refugee response and Pathways Initiative in Slovakia is an asset
• Experience working with or in UN organization is 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. 

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. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

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.