National Consultant on Violence Against Children (VAC)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, works in over 190 countries and territories 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 is known for its passionate culture and commitment to child protection, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the children it serves.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant on Violence Against Children (VAC) is crucial for providing expert technical and coordination support to UNICEF Belarus and national partners in implementing a project focused on preventing and responding to violence against children. The consultant will lead efforts in technical documentation, intersectoral coordination mechanisms, capacity-building activities, and monitoring and reporting processes. This role is essential in addressing the critical issue of violence against children in Belarus, particularly in enhancing the national strategy for prevention and response to such violence. The consultant will work closely with national stakeholders and international consultants to ensure effective implementation of project activities and contribute to the development of a comprehensive model for combating violence against children.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks including: providing expert technical inputs and reviewing project-related documentation; coordinating with international consultants to ensure coherence in project inputs; consolidating feedback and incorporating international expertise into national-level technical materials; preparing and following up on study visits and project-related events; supporting intersectoral working groups through stakeholder mapping and capacity-building inputs; contributing to monitoring and reporting activities, including data collection and analysis; conducting field monitoring visits; and ensuring timely expert inputs to key programme and technical documents. The consultant will also be expected to lead capacity-building efforts for national stakeholders through training and knowledge-exchange activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in child protection system strengthening, VAC prevention and response, or related areas. Proven experience in supporting national strategy development and multisectoral mechanisms is essential. Knowledge of INSPIRE and the Barnahus model, particularly in adapting these models in Eastern Europe and CIS countries, is a strong asset. Experience working with government and UN agencies, especially in middle-income or post-Soviet settings, is also required. Strong analytical, advisory, facilitation, and coordination skills are necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters) in social sciences, psychology, public policy, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of child protection and violence against children, as well as to effectively contribute to the development of national strategies and interventions.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in child protection, particularly in VAC prevention and response. Candidates should have a proven track record of working with national strategies and multisectoral mechanisms, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex systems and contribute to effective solutions for child protection.

Languages:
Fluency in Russian is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of English. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication with national stakeholders and for the preparation of technical documentation and reports.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is from March 2026 to December 2027, approximately 22 months. The position is remote/home-based, with expectations for substantial time spent in the office for team interactions. Consultants are responsible for their own transportation arrangements, but UNICEF can provide office vehicles for duty travel missions with prior agreement. The financial proposal must reflect costs per deliverable and include travel costs and daily subsistence allowances if travel is required. UNICEF emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.