Mentor to support UNICEF Prevention of Violence in Schools Program

UNICEF Bulgaria is looking for a qualified Mentor to support one of the 5 pilot schools to implement, monitor and sustain the whole-school approach to prevention of violence and bullying in schools.

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, [insert tagline]

The overall goal of the assignment is to support the implementation on school level of UNICEF’s program intervention in the area of violence and bullying prevention. In particular, under the guidance and supervision of the UNICEF Education Officer and in cooperation with Project Coordinator and Consultant on Prevention of Violence in Schools, the Mentor will support one of the 5 pilot schools to implement, monitor and sustain the whole-school approach to prevention of violence and bullying in schools, throughout the programme period.

How can you make a difference?

Support the implementation on school level of all the activities and processes of a whole-school approach to prevention of violence and bullying in schools, tested through the program intervention

• Receive instruction and training on the specific assignment as school Mentor of the programme, including on the whole-school approach theory and practice, activities, challenges, time frame and expected workflow of the programme, etc.  2-3 days of training and instruction)
• Support through provision of guidance and assistance the effort of one or more schools to build local capacities and develop mechanisms to implement and sustain prevention practices (incl. through regular visits, at first once per two weeks, after the introduction period once per month or other frequency as needed).
• Provide support for data collection and evidence generation on prevention practices, for needs assessment of pilot school(s), for defining the elements of safe school environment (incl. through focus-groups, discussions and workshops with members of the school community)
• Provide methodological support and be available to the school as support person as per planned visits and at request.
• Provide or be able to recommend and facilitate appropriate training to school personnel according to needs assessed and core elements of the programme, as agreed with UNICEF (including on prevention and intervention approaches to bullying and violence).
• Support and facilitate all school processes related to the implementation of whole-school approach to prevention of violence during the whole pilot period (as for the first implementation year);
• Оversee implementation along with school personnel and adapt responses and actions to specific situations, as appropriate.

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

• Master’s degree or higher in one or more of the following areas: pedagogy, social pedagogy, pedagogy of special needs, social sciences/social work, psychology or other relevant field.
• Ample experience in working with schools and/or implementing similar prevention programmes in different environments.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the functioning and structure of the school education system.
• Good understanding of the conceptual framework, national policy framework and institutional arrangements relating to violence against children, prevention and child protection.
• Ability to work independently, to work with teams through group dynamics, problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Respect for cultural diversity and human rights.
• An ongoing professional training in psychotherapy and/or supervision in social work is an advantage.

Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting a CV and a Cover letter in Bulgarian or English including their all inclusive daily fee in Bulgarian leva to perform the work assignment.

Full Terms of Reference in Bulgarian and English are attached here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.