General
Description of assignment title: Child ProtectionAssociate (Odesa)
Assignment country: Ukraine
Duty stations: Odesa
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 08/03/2026
Duration: 12 months(with possibility ofextension)Long-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal: 8. Decent work and economicgrowth
Host entity: UNICEF Ukraine
Modality: Onsite
Type: National
Volunteer category: Associate UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Details
Mission and objectives:
- UNICEF is supporting health, nutrition, HIV prevention,education, access to safe drinking water, sanitation and protectionfor children and families caught in the conflict.
Context:
- Since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine, hostcommunities in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson oblasts have facedincreasing pressure to provide integrated and sustainable socialservices for internally displaced persons (IDPs), conflict-affectedchildren, and vulnerable families. The war has caused widespreaddisplacement, destruction of infrastructure, psychosocial distress,unemployment, and heightened risks of family separation andinstitutionalization of children. At the same time, many localauthorities and service providers continue to face limitedtechnical capacity, insufficient human and financial resources, andweak coordination systems to respond effectively to the growing andincreasingly complex protection needs of children andfamilies.
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- Across the three oblasts, there is a critical need tostrengthen community-based integrated social services, improvesocial work case management and referral pathways, and expandfamily-based alternative care options for children without parentalcare. Strengthening gatekeeping systems, family support services,early intervention, psychosocial support, and community-basedprotection mechanisms is essential to prevent unnecessaryinstitutionalization and support safe family reunification andreintegration. These efforts require stronger intersectoralcoordination, evidence-based planning, skilled social serviceworkforce development, and enhanced collaboration between oblastand hromada authorities, UNICEF implementing partners, andcommunities, including people with lived experience.
- The purpose of this assignment is to support UNICEF's ChildProtection Programme (particularly the Better Care FlagshipProgram) under the Odesa Field Office. The consultant will supportin strengthening and streamlining integrated social services andfamily-based alternative care systems across Odesa, Mykolaiv, andKherson oblasts. The UNV will contribute to improving coordinationmechanisms, strengthening community-based child protection andgatekeeping systems, enhancing family support services, andsupporting the implementation of the Better Care agenda in linewith the National Strategy for Ensuring the Right of Every Child toGrow Up in a Family Environment.
Task description:
- Under the direct supervision of the Child ProtectionSpecialist, the UNV is expected to undertake the following:
- Support the establishment and functioning of regional and localBetter Care taskforces, working groups, and coordination platforms,including preparation of agendas, documentation of recommendations,and follow-up on implementation of agreed actions.
- Promote meaningful engagement of People with Lived Experience(PWLE), children, young people, caregivers, and communityrepresentatives in planning, implementation, monitoring, andadvocacy processes related to Better Care reform.
- Conduct situational analyses, service mapping, workforceassessments, and community profiling to identify service gaps,priority needs, and opportunities for expansion of Better Careinterventions.
- Support monitoring and reporting of Better Care Programimplementation in three regions under OFO.
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- Support the development, implementation, and quality assuranceof integrated social services and family-based careinterventions.
- Support the development and roll-out of capacity-building plansfor social service providers at Hromada and Oblast.
- Support the institutionalization of technical supervision,mentoring, peer-learning, and continuous professional developmentmechanisms for the social service workforce through directpartnership modalities and government-led systems.
- Support oblast and hromada authorities in planning, budgeting,and mobilizing resources for Better Care interventions, includingstrengthening understanding and application of UNICEF Direct CashTransfer (DCT) modalities, financial management requirements, andreporting processes.
- Facilitate knowledge management, documentation of goodpractices, lessons learned, and success stories, and supportdissemination of evidence and learning products to inform policydialogue and programme scale-up.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 1 month
Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal residentor hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience:
- 1 month
Languages:
- English, Level: Fluent, Required
- Ukrainian, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level:
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Law and othersubjects under Social Science
Competencies and values:
- Professionalism
- Integrity
- Teamwork and respect for diversity
- Commitment to continuous learning
- Planning and organizing
- Communication
- Flexibility
Skills and experience:
- At least 1 month of professional experience in socialprotection/child protection at national and/or subnationallevel.
- Knowledge of the Ukrainian system of child protection, systemof social protection, system of alternative care for children(residential and family-based).
- Experience in strengthening the social workforce and system ofsocial services
- Experience in the development of nationwide strategies andplans of action in the area of child protection.
- Experience in building a dialog with national and localgovernments and CSOs.
- Experience providing consultancy services to UNICEF and otherUN agencies.
Area(s) of expertise:
- Community development, Education, Emergency preparedness,crisis response
Driving license:
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