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, help.

UNICEF’s programme 2023-2027 builds on previous work and puts greater focus on preventing violence, harmful practices, supporting stronger and more inclusive systems; and targeted interventions for at-risk children. In 2025, UNICEF will launch the first ever Pacific “Adolescent Boys Advisory Group” (name as placeholder) which will run from April 2025- July 2026. The Group will provide a platform for meaningful participation and engagement of boys by involving them in UNICEF’s programme design, planning and implementation. Specifically, to engage them on topics and issues which affect them (adolescent mental health, gender socialization and masculinities, help seeking behaviors, bullying, online safety, healthy relationships). Its purpose is also to improve child-centered and child-led programming in the Pacific.

The UNICEF Child Protection section requires technical assistance, co-chairing and co-facilitation of a newly established Pacific Adolescent Boys Advisory Group. The group requires an expert in Pacific youth and gender identities, masculinities and gender socialization. The consultant should be an expert co-facilitator and mentor for the Adolescent participants with in-depth experience on safeguarding, child participation, child-led codesign practices and adolescent participatory approaches. The consultant will act as the co-chair of the group and provide facilitation for online quarterly meetings and in-person workshops. The consultant will support the mentoring and development of youth and Adolescent participants through the design of participatory workshops and group work which includes critical reflection on gender socialization, masculinities, adolescent mental health and self-esteem. It will also require development of creative workshop formats which provide skills training on advocacy, civic participation, public speaking and youth leadership.

The consultant will provide technical advice on the development of Pacific positive masculinity frameworks and culturally appropriate male role model Initiatives in consultation and collaboration with adolescent boys. Additionally, the consultation will support the development of monitoring and evaluation processes for the Pacific Adolescent Boys Advisory group, in line with the UNICEF Gender and Adolescent Action Plan and UNICEF Pacific Gender & Adolescent Strategy.

How can you make a difference? 

The part time consultant will be expected to provide high level technical advice, assistance and support to the UNICEF Child Protection team on the running of the Adolescent Boys Advisory Group which runs until July 2026 in its first phase.

Deliverable 1: Support the design and launch of the of the Pacific Adolescent Boys Advisory Group, including cofacilitation of the Inception workshop, design of group work and codesign activities.

Deliverable 2: Co-facilitate in-person workshops for the Pacific Adolescent Boys Advisory Group, including the development of culturally appropriate group work covering core themes; youth advocacy, gender socialization, masculinities, adolescent mental health & wellbeing.

Deliverable 3: Co-chairing of Pacific boys advisory group quarterly meetings, including mentoring and support provision to adolescent participants

Deliverable 4: Technical assistance to develop monitoring, evaluation & reporting process and annual social advocacy action plan with members of the Advisory group

Please refer to the ToR ( ToR Pacific Adolescent Facilitator.pdf) for further information on the deliverables and the timelines. 

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS:  

Please submit a separate financial offer along with your application. The financial proposal should be a lump sum amount for all the deliverables and should show a break down for the following:

• Monthly / Daily fees– based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference above.
• Travel (economy air ticket where applicable to take up assignment and field mission travel)
• Living allowance where travel is required (7 days in Kiribati, 7 days in Samoa).
• Miscellaneous- to cover visa, health insurance (including medical evacuation for international consultants), communications, and other costs.

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

Education:

• Masters degree in Social Work, Education, Gender, psychology, social sciences, community development or relevant degree.

Experience & Skills:

• At least 15 years of professional experience in Social Work, community development, child protection, adolescent development, gender equality and gender socialization.
• Understanding of adolescent and youth issues across Pacific Island country contexts.
• Experience in creating mentorship systems for adolescents .
• Experience in group work facilitation with adolescent participants.
• Experience in working with adolescent boys, youth males, on topics related to gender identity, gender socialisation, masculinities, mental wellbeing and self-esteem.
• Experience designing and facilitating youth participatory frameworks and creative workshops.
• Experience in working within the Pacific region and cultural context.
• Knowledge of gender and development, human rights and children’s issues.
• Languages & Skills: Fluency in written English is required. Expresses ideas and facts in writing and orally in a clear, organized, and convincing manner appropriate to the audience and occasion.
• Analytical skills
• Facilitation/training
• Ability to persuade, influence, negotiate, advocate
• Inter-personal skills, relating with people, team work, networking
• Adaptability, flexibility, cultural sensitivity, tact, diplomacy, patience, respectful attitude
• Communication skills, both speaking and writing; in particular, ability to communicate technical concepts,
• knowledge and skills in a clear, simple and jargon-free language; ability to present information in a well-structured, logical manner

Language:

• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and editorial skills in English

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 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 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. Consultants 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.