UNICEF Maldives is seeking a National Consultant to Conduct a Review of the Implementation of NAP-VAC 2024–2028 and Progress of the Udhuhilan Campaign. All interested and eligible candidates are welcome to apply!
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For every child, the right to protection.
Vacancy Announcement- Individual Consultant (Maldivian national) to Conduct a Review of the Implementation of NAP-VAC 2024–2028 and Progress of the Udhuhilan Campaign
BACKGROUND
UNICEF Maldives is collaborating with the Government of Maldives to strengthen national systems for the prevention of and response to violence against children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Child Rights Protection Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Education Act, and the National Action Plan on Prevention and Response to Violence Against Children 2024–2028 (NAP-VAC).
The NAP-VAC provides the national framework for coordinated action to prevent and respond to violence against children across homes, schools, communities, institutions and digital environments. It outlines strategic priorities and planned interventions to strengthen prevention, protection and response mechanisms, improve multisectoral coordination, and promote safe and supportive environments for all children. Effective implementation requires sustained engagement across government institutions, civil society, communities and other partners, supported by clear responsibilities, adequate resources and effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
As part of efforts to advance the NAP-VAC, UNICEF Maldives is supporting Udhuhilan – For a Happy, Safe Community, a two-year programme launched in partnership with the Family Protection Authority in September 2025. The programme contributes to the prevention of violence against children, particularly domestic violence, through initiatives promoting positive parenting and caregiving, child and youth participation, community awareness, and stronger community and institutional safeguarding.
As the NAP-VAC progresses through its implementation period, there is a need to strengthen the evidence base on national progress and implementation experiences, including learning from programmes such as Udhuhilan. An updated understanding of implementation can support more informed decision-making, reinforce accountability and help direct attention towards areas requiring further action.
The review will also inform preparations for the upcoming End Violence Against Children (EVAC) Conference by providing an evidence base for national discussions on progress, remaining challenges and priority actions. Its findings will support UNICEF's engagement with the Government and partners to advance coordinated, evidence-based and accountable implementation of the NAP-VAC.
How can you make a difference?
PURPOSE and OBJECTIVES
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to assess progress in the implementation of the National Action Plan on Prevention and Response to Violence Against Children 2024–2028 (NAP-VAC), review progress and learning from the Udhuhilan campaign, identify implementation gaps and bottlenecks, and generate evidence to inform continued implementation and Link NAP-VAC interventions to the main EVAC Conference pledges, identify implementation gaps, and accelerate progress towards fulfilling commitments.
The specific objectives are to:
• Assess NAP-VAC implementation against the activities, outputs, indicators and targets in the existing NAP-VAC results and monitoring framework.
• Document progress, achievements, implementation gaps, bottlenecks and evidence gaps, including issues related to coordination, responsibilities, resources, capacity, service delivery, data and reporting.
• Review Udhuhilan progress against its strategic pillars, planned activities and intended results, including achievements, lessons, gaps and its contribution to NAP-VAC prevention priorities.
• Consolidate findings through stakeholder engagement and validation and identify priority areas requiring acceleration during the remaining implementation period.
• Prepare evidence-based inputs for the EVAC Conference by linking the NAP-VAC review to the main conference pledges, identifying priority actions to accelerate implementation, and informing the final consultancy report with practical recommendation
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
VA TOR202619 Conduct review of implementation of NAP-VAC 2024-2028 and progress of Udhuhilan campaign.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
The consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, child rights, child protection, monitoring and evaluation, social work, psychology, education, law, or a related field.
Experience:
- At least 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in child protection, violence prevention, child rights, policy/programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation, or related areas.
- Demonstrated experience in desk reviews, implementation assessments, results-based monitoring, and analysis of policies, programmes or national action plans, with strong analytical and research skills to review qualitative and quantitative evidence, identify progress, gaps and implementation bottlenecks, and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience developing analytical reports, implementation tracking tools, policy briefs or similar evidence-based products.
- Experience working with government institutions, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders, preferably in the Maldives or a comparable context.
Language Requirements: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Dhivehi.
Desirables:
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
- Good understanding of child protection, violence against children and multisectoral approaches. Familiarity with NAP-VAC 2024–2028 and the Maldives child protection system is an advantage.
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.
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Remarks:
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UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] are encouraged to apply.
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