The purpose of this consultancy is to provide specialised technical support to strengthen the capacity of the social service system to prevent and respond to violence against children (VAC) and gender-based violence (GBV), with a focus on practical implementation at sub-national and community levels. The consultant will support the development of standardised, practice-oriented training and methodological materials for social service professionals, aimed at improving early identification of risks, case management, referral, and coordination with relevant sectors. The assignment will contribute to strengthening the application of child-centred, survivor-centred, and trauma-informed approaches within social services, in line with national standards and international good practice. The consultancy will also generate practice-based recommendations to inform further capacity-building and quality improvement within the social service system.

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Purpose of assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide specialised technical support to strengthen the capacity of the social service system to prevent and respond to violence against children (VAC) and gender-based violence (GBV), with a focus on practical implementation at sub-national and community levels.

The consultant will support the development of standardised, practice-oriented training and methodological materials for social service professionals, aimed at improving early identification of risks, case management, referral, and coordination with relevant sectors. The assignment will contribute to strengthening the application of child-centred, survivor-centred, and trauma-informed approaches within social services, in line with national standards and international good practice.

The consultancy will also generate practice-based recommendations to inform further capacity-building and quality improvement within the social service system.

Work assignment overview:

Deliverable

Deadline

# of w/days

Deliverable 1.

A report prepared on technical support provided to UNICEF (including Field Offices) on the development of social services for children and families with children, as well as prevention of and response to violence against children and women, including gender-based violence (VAC / GBV).

Expected sub-deliverables:

  • At least 25 expert consultations provided to UNICEF staff and partners on the implementation and sustainability of social services for children and families with children, including referral pathways for child victims and witnesses of violence, inter-sectoral coordination in VAC cases, and procedural support to children involved in justice processes; all consultations documented, with consolidated conclusions and recommendations prepared.
  • At least 15 monitoring visits conducted to pilot communities participating in the UNICEF-supported Better Care programme; analytical reports prepared following each visit assessing service sustainability and effectiveness of inter-sectoral coordination; consolidated recommendations formulated for further UNICEF programming.
  • At least 15 expert consultations provided to UNICEF Field Offices on prevention of and response to violence against women and children (VAC / GBV), including gender-based violence and child-centered approached to working with child victims and witnesses, coordination with law enforcement and justice institutions, and practical solutions for community-level response; at least 80% of recipients report increased clarity of approaches and practical solutions; consolidated recommendations prepared to strengthen VAC / GBV programming at community level.

01, March 2027

55

Deliverable 2.

A report prepared on technical support provided to the Coordination Centre for Family-Based Care and Childcare Development, aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations and other stakeholders to implement the Better Care reform.

Expected sub-deliverables:

  • At least 5 webinars / capacity-building events conducted for Better Care reform partners on implementation of the Minimum Package of Social Services and strengthening inter-sectoral coordination; at least 100 participants reached; at least 80% of participants confirm increased knowledge; a short analytical report with conclusions and recommendations prepared after each event.
  • At least 20 expert consultations provided to local coordinators of the Coordination Centre and Better Care reform partners in 15 pilot oblasts; all consultations documented; consolidated conclusions prepared on key regional implementation challenges.
  • At least 5 written analytical and practical recommendations prepared on implementation of specific elements of the Better Care reform, including engagement of people with lived experience, prevention of and response to VAC / GBV, development of sustainable and financially viable social services for children, work with families affected by addiction, and transformation of institutional care facilities; recommendations prepared in a format suitable for use by the Coordination Centre and partners.

30, September 2026

35

Deliverable 3.

A report prepared on technical support provided to the National Social Service of Ukraine and other governmental stakeholders, aimed at the development and institutionalisation of a system of continuous professional development for the social service workforce.

Expected sub-deliverables:

  • At least 30 regular coordination meetings (bi-weekly format) conducted with specialists of the National Social Service and members of the inter-agency working group; 100% of meetings documented through minutes with agreed decisions and allocation of responsibilities; at least one consolidated joint action plan for development of the continuous professional development system developed and endorsed.
  • At least 5 trainings and/or capacity-building events conducted for working group members; at least 15 participants from the National Social Service and partner institutions reached; at least 80% of participants confirm increased knowledge and understanding of approaches to implementing the continuous professional development system, including procedural roles of social service workforce and their participation in court proceedings, engaging children, preparation of best-interest assessments and interagency case coordination; consolidated recommendations prepared on further institutional steps.

01, March 2027

45

Deliverable 4.

A report prepared on technical support and capacity strengthening of civil society organisations in the provision of integrated social services for vulnerable families with children, including support to institutional care transformation processes.

Expected sub-deliverables:

  • Four one-day training sessions conducted for civil society organisations providing social services to vulnerable families with children; at least 80 representatives from no fewer than 20 organisations trained (average ≥20 participants per training); at least 80% of participants confirm increased knowledge and practical skills; analytical reports prepared after each training outlining key challenges and recommendations for service development at community level.
  • At least 15 supervision sessions provided to civil society organisations from target communities in 15 pilot oblasts that deliver social services to vulnerable families with children and/or are engaged in advocacy for the reform and transformation of institutional care facilities; at least 15 practical cases reviewed; consolidated practical recommendations prepared to improve integrated service delivery models; at least 70% of organisations report increased organisational capacity and readiness to scale up services.

07, July, 2026

25

Deliverable 5.

An analytical synthesis report prepared on strengthening the capacity of target communities in developing social service systems for prevention of and response to violence against children (VAC), domestic violence, and gender-based violence (GBV), based on conducted training, methodological, and supervision activities.

Expected sub-deliverables:

  • One comprehensive training package developed using an integrated VAC / GBV / social services approach; at least 3 trainings (online/offline) conducted for specialists from 15 pilot oblasts; at least 60 participants trained, of whom at least 50% are social service professionals; at least 80% of participants demonstrate increased knowledge; short analytical reports with community-level recommendations prepared following the trainings.
  • One package of methodological guidelines (15–20 pages) prepared and approved by UNICEF, adapted for use in communities of the 15 pilot oblasts, covering key VAC / GBV aspects within the social services system and including practical tools (algorithms, checklists, flowcharts) and including tools supporting work with child victims and witnesses during investigative and court processes.
  • At least 4 supervision sessions conducted for social services supervisors from target communities in 15 pilot oblasts; at least 15 supervisors engaged; at least 8 VAC / GBV practical cases reviewed; at least 70% of participants report increased professional confidence.
  • At least 2 training events conducted for multidisciplinary teams from target communities in 15 pilot oblasts; at least 40 participants from different sectors engaged; at least 2 inter-sectoral cases analysed during each event and practical recommendations formulated to improve community-level coordination mechanisms.

01, March 2027

55

Total

215

Travel plan*:

  • Travel to Poltava Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Lviv Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Volyn Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Kharkiv Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Mykolaiv Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Odesa Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.
  • Travel to Sumy Oblast for 10 days with 3 round trips.
  • Travel to Zaporizhzhia Oblast for 5 days with 2 round trips.

* Before any field mission, Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) and Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) trainings must be completed. The 4-day training schedule must be agreed upon with the security team.

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

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in social work, psychology; human rights, public administration, sociology or other related disciplines.
  • Work Experience: 

    • 10 and more years of professional experience in social protection / child protection at national and/or subnational level.

    • of the Ukrainian system of child protection, system of social protection, system of alternative care for children (residential and family-based).

    • Experience in strengthening social workforce and system of social services.

    • Experience in building a dialog with national and local governments and CSOs.

    • Experience providing consultancy services to UNICEF and other UN agencies.

  • Language Requirements:
    • Advanced [C1].
    • English: ​an advantage​.

Desirables:

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

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…

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 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:  

Please indicate your all-inclusive (lump sum) fees in USD against the deliverables listed above, including all associated administrative and travel costs (if applicable). The office selects the individual based on best value for money.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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.

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 consultant 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 consultant 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. The vaccine mandate, 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.

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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.