UNICEF Roster of National Individual Consultants in 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, which is not just a job but a calling. UNICEF is known for its diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a culture where careers are built and where staff can grow in a passionate and inclusive environment. The organization prides itself on its attractive compensation and benefits package, ensuring that its employees feel valued and supported in their roles.

Job Overview:
UNICEF Moldova is inviting qualified candidates to express their interest in being included in a roster of national consultants in child protection. The consultants included in this roster will be contracted to provide high-quality technical assistance in support of UNICEF programs and national counterparts. The primary purpose of the roster is to ensure timely and flexible access to specialized expertise for the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of child protection interventions. This role will focus on strengthening national systems, advancing evidence-based policies, and supporting sustainable institutional reforms. The roster will support UNICEF’s work across various child protection priorities, including prevention and response to violence against children, strengthening child protection services for vulnerable children, and developing child-friendly justice systems. The selected consultants will work closely with UNICEF Moldova’s Child Protection team and relevant stakeholders to generate substantive outputs that enhance child protection systems and improve service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultants will be expected to contribute across several thematic and functional areas, including but not limited to:

• Child Rights: Strengthening national systems and governance frameworks to promote and protect the rights of every child.
• Violence Against Children: Supporting prevention and response mechanisms for all forms of violence affecting children.
• Gender-Based Violence: Addressing the intersection between violence against children and violence against women through survivor-centered approaches.
• EU Accession and European Child Guarantee: Supporting child-focused reforms in the context of Moldova’s EU accession process.
• Investing in Families: Strengthening systems to enable children to grow up safely within their families.
• Deinstitutionalisation: Supporting the development of social services and reintegration for children in care.
• Justice for Children: Advancing child-friendly justice systems that protect children's rights. The consultants may also be required to travel within Moldova for evidence gathering and collaboration with local actors, and they must include travel-related costs in their financial proposals.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in social sciences, development studies, law, sociology, social work, public administration, economics, psychology, statistics, information technology, or another relevant field. They should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as technical assistance in child protection, managing research and data collection, and engaging with government and civil society entities. Strong project management skills are essential, along with familiarity with UN and EU agendas. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical thinking, strategic planning skills, and the ability to engage with a broad range of partners.

Educational Background:
A university degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, law, sociology, social work, public administration, or related disciplines is required. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection and the legal frameworks that govern it.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in providing technical assistance in child protection, managing research, and engaging with governmental and non-governmental organizations. Experience in child protection emergency preparedness and response is considered an asset, indicating a well-rounded understanding of the field.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian is mandatory, along with a good knowledge of English. Strong report writing and presentation skills in both languages are essential for effective communication and documentation of work.

Additional Notes:
This position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance.