School Safety Consultant (International only, Remote; post #591560)

Contract Duration- 14 months

Working arrangement: Home-based

 

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this assignment is to develop comprehensive, practical, and nationally endorsed Safe Schools Guidelines that will guide education authorities, school leaders, teachers, learners, parents, and communities in establishing and sustaining safe, inclusive, gender-responsive, and child-centered learning environments. The International Consultant will provide overall technical leadership and will be responsible for the design, conceptualization, drafting, and finalization of the National Safe Schools Guidelines.   1. Literature and Policy Review 2. Data Consolidation and Synthesis 3. Analytical Framework and Situational Analysis 4. Technical Design and Drafting of Guidelines 5. Stakeholder Engagement and Technical Validation 6. Development of Implementation and Roll-out Framework 7. Guidelines Writing, Presentation, and Finalization   The assignment will use a participatory, inclusive, and evidence-based approach, including: • Desk review of policies and existing guidance • Review of international and regional best practices • Stakeholder consultations and workshops • Iterative drafting and validation with the Technical Working Group

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0001214 ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Education/Economics/Social Sciences or related field.

Work Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in school safety, child protection, safeguarding, education in emergencies, and/or development of national education policies and frameworks.
• International work experience, including engagement with government institutions, development partners, civil society, and/or private sector actors; expertise in international development and humanitarian response contexts is a strong asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.

Skills:

• Demonstrated excellent writing skills, with specific experience drafting national guidelines, policy documents, technical frameworks, and knowledge products related to education, protection, or gender-responsive programming.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within international, multicultural, and interdisciplinary teams, and to establish effective and professional working relationships with government counterparts and stakeholders.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage sensitively and effectively with diverse audiences, including government officials, educators, communities, and development partners.
• Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and manage deliverables efficiently.

Desirables:

• Prior experience working with UNICEF, Ministries of Education, or UN agencies on children’s rights, safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusive education is an advantage.
• Experience working within international organizations, UN agencies, or similar institutions is desirable; familiarity with UNICEF systems and procedures is an asset.
• Experience in fragile, conflict-affected, or developing country contexts, with a strong understanding of field-level education and protection challenges, is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN/UNICEF systems, safeguarding standards, and education sector coordination mechanisms is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

 

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A sample report or policy document demonstrating excellent analytical and writing skills, with specific experience drafting national guidelines, frameworks, or technical knowledge products related to education, protection, safeguarding, or gender-responsive programming
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0001214 Financial Proposal.docx

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.