Consultant for Curriculum Development in Social Work

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a passionate workforce dedicated to serving children and communities worldwide, and it provides an attractive compensation and benefits package. The organization has been actively involved in addressing the challenges faced by children in Syria, particularly in the context of a protracted crisis that has severely impacted the social fabric and protective environment for children and families.

Job Overview:
The assignment aims to modernize, professionalize, and strengthen the Technical Institute for Social Service in Syria by finalizing updated, competency-based academic curricula and enhancing the capacity of its teaching staff. The consultant will support the development of a national Social Service Workforce Strategy, ensuring that education for social service professionals aligns with international standards and meets the evolving needs of Syria's child protection and social protection systems. The consultant will engage in reviewing and finalizing the curriculum, training educators, and ensuring that the educational framework is responsive to contemporary child protection practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct consultation meetings with key stakeholders to identify gaps and needs in the current curriculum.
• Review and finalize the draft comprehensive, competency-based curriculum for the two-year Social Work diploma.
• Strengthen the capacity of educators by training selected academic staff to deliver the revised curriculum.
• Develop a complete curriculum package covering pre-service education and in-service training components.
• Design a standardized training kit for assistant social workers.
• Facilitate training for educators and provide coaching and mentoring.
• Produce a final report documenting the methodology, challenges, and recommendations at the end of the assignment.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Child Development, Protection, Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in teaching social work or related fields at the university or technical institute level.
• Proven experience in developing academic curricula and competency-based training programs in social work or child protection.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and best practices in child protection and social work education.
• Experience working in Middle East or conflict/post-conflict settings is an asset.

Educational Background:
A PhD in a relevant field such as Child Development, Sociology, Social Work, or related disciplines is required for this position. This advanced degree is essential to ensure the consultant has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to contribute effectively to the curriculum development process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, particularly in teaching social work or related fields at the university or technical institute level. The consultant should have a proven track record in developing academic curricula and competency-based training programs, with specific experience in child protection or social services being highly desirable. Experience in conflict or post-conflict settings, particularly in the Middle East, is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken, is required for this position. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the development of educational materials that cater to the local context.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 12 months, with a total of 85 workdays, including 15 days on-site in Damascus and 70 days of remote work. The estimated start date is February 1, 2026, and the end date is January 31, 202

• The consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and will be required to submit various deliverables throughout the assignment, including reports and curriculum drafts. The position is not a staff role, and consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance and tax liabilities.