International Consultant (Child Protection), Ukraine

The objective of this consultancy is to provide support to the Donetsk/Luhansk Field Office on key child protection issues to ensure delivery of child protection programme in close collaboration with local partners.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Contract

The conflict in eastern Ukraine has taken a significant toll on children causing widespread psycho-social distress, displacement, family separation, death and injury from mines and UXO, violence against children including gender-based violence. As demonstrated by the results of various surveys undertaken regarding the psycho-social wellbeing of children in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, children continue to experience heightened distress and post-traumatic stress, exhibiting signs of distress, such as anxiety, fear, stress, sadness, mood swings, sleep disturbances, isolation and aggression.  To address these protection concerns and needs of the affected population, UNICEF is working closely with its partners to provide safe spaces and youth centers for boys and girls and adolescents. This allows children and adolescents to overcome their distress and facilitate a return to normalcy through age/gender and culturally appropriate activities such as play and games that are safe and stimulating, sports etc. UNICEF is focusing on enhancing children’s life skills and coping mechanisms as well as promote effective child participation and development.

However, it is important that these activities are continued to ensure a continued support to children who have suffered with a bigger focus not only on psychosocial support services, but overall social services to prevent child vulnerabilities and to address child protection risks and concerns. 

This Consultancy seeks to identify an experienced international professional who will provide technical support for child protection programming including guidance to local partners on delivery of services to most vulnerable children and adolescents and their families in the context of the ongoing conflict with a focus on non-government controlled areas.   

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to provide support to the Donetsk/Luhansk Field Office on key child  protection issues to ensure delivery of child protection programme in close collaboration with local partners.

Major Tasks

1. 1. Provide support for fundraising, i.e. inputs for development of project proposals for the child protection programme in Ukraine including emergency response and development programming.
   2. Provide technical support for strengthening partnerships with local nongovernmental organizations and community based organizations to provide support to children affected by the current conflict such as inputs for formulation of programmes, briefing on UNICEF procedures, monitoring and reporting.  
   3. Review and finalize referral pathways and referral network for vulnerable children. This work will include desk review, meetings with relevant partners and mapping of key actors who are currently providing services.

   4. Provide support with inputs in the office’s preparation of donor reports on child protection activities undertaken. 

Deliverables:   

The total amount of consultancy days for this contract is up to 40 days over the period of 5 months.

Details of how the work should be delivered:

The payment is based on a daily rate. The Consultant shall provide a detailed report on the work undertaken upon completion of the deliverables reporting the actual time used. Upon satisfactory delivery of services, the Consultant will provide  monthly invoices with copies of the accompanying deliverables (see above). Payment will be effected on a monthly basis

Any consultancy days that were not incurred due to changes in plans of the work would be freed prior to the end of the contract. The consultant will only receive the consultancy fees incurred de facto.

Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results:

Evaluation of results will be based on the following indicators:

• Technical and professional competence (will be measured by quality of deliverables provided to UNICEF, as well as feedback from UNICEF’s partner organisations);
• Quality of work;

• Quantity of work, including quantitative indicators of the project and timeliness of deliverables.

  Such indicators as work relations, responsibility and communication will be also considered during evaluation of the contractor’s work.

  Experience required to complete Tasks:

• At least 5 years of practical work experience in the area of child protection
• Experience in emergency settings, provision of support to children and families affected by emergencies (conflict/natural disaster)
• Strong understanding of child protection principles and work including child rights framework UN CRC
• Academic background in psychology, social work or human rights
• Very good communication and writing skills
• Fluency in both oral and written English and Russian; knowledge of Ukrainian is an asset
• Computer literacy

• Knowledge of the local context and the current conflict dynamics

  Description of official travel involved:

  The assignment is home based, may require travel to/within Ukraine.

  Prior to undertaking any travel, the Consultant should complete UN Basic and Advanced Security in the Field Training Courses as well as Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Awareness Training (linkages to these courses will be provided by UNICEF Ukraine). 

  All travel costs of the Consultant in relation to this consultancy will be reimbursed in accordance with UNICEF rules.

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.