Consultant for Social Services and Child Protection

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, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide technical and coordination support to UNICEF and government and non-government counterparts to advance the implementation of the State Programme for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (2026–2030). The focus will be on strengthening social services, the social service workforce, justice-related social work, and the digitalization of child protection systems. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection and collaborate with various national institutions, including ministries and agencies, to enhance child protection frameworks and services. The role involves supporting policy development, capacity-building initiatives, and the integration of child-friendly justice approaches, ensuring that vulnerable children and families receive the necessary support and protection.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include providing technical assistance for the implementation of social components of the State Programme, liaising with government and non-government partners, co-developing case management materials, supporting the development of a dedicated law on social work, promoting social work professionalization, and collaborating with various teams to embed social service strengthening within cross-sectoral initiatives. Additionally, the consultant will support the development of Standard Operating Procedures for justice-related social work, conduct capacity-building activities, and facilitate the digitalization of child protection services through the rollout of Primero CPIMS+. The consultant will also engage in inter-agency coordination, donor engagement, and proposal development as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's level or higher) in law, social work, social welfare, child development, child protection, public policy, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social service workforce development, child protection, juvenile justice, and relevant policy reforms is required. Strong coordination, analytical, and conceptual skills are essential, along with excellent writing and communication abilities. Experience working with the UN and knowledge of UN standards and regulations is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work independently under pressure and manage competing priorities effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's level or higher) in relevant fields such as law, social work, social welfare, child development, child protection, or public policy is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection systems and social services reform.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in areas related to social service workforce development, child protection, juvenile justice, and relevant policy reforms. Experience in supporting national system strengthening initiatives, including policy development and institutional reform, is essential. Additionally, at least 7 years of experience working with international organizations and government institutions is highly desirable, particularly in coordination with large-scale reforms.

Languages:
Fluency in Russian, English, and Tajik is required. Candidates must possess strong writing, communication, and presentation skills, enabling effective engagement with diverse stakeholders. Proficiency in these languages is essential for the role, given the need for clear communication and documentation in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position involves a contract duration aligned with the State Programme for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (2026–2030). The consultant will be expected to travel locally for in-country missions, with approximately six travels planned. The role is full-time, and candidates are required to submit a CV, cover letter, technical proposal, financial proposal, and references. Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 28 Jan. 2026, and UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates.