International Consultant COP and VAC (office based with travel)

Contract Duration: 7 months

Working arrangement: office based with travel

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.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), Institute of Child Rights Defense (INDDICA), the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) and NGO partners to strengthen child protection system, focusing on child online protection, prevention of violence against children and establishing climate resilient community child protection system.

Under the signed Annual Work Plan (AWP) between UNICEF and the government partners (MSSI, INDDICA), the consultant will work closely with the Child Protection Unit of MSSI, which oversees child protection work across the country, to provide required mentoring, monitoring and technical support, as well as with INDDICA, MTC and NGO partners, in particular Bafuturo and Alfela to provide technical and mentoring support to implement activities on child online protection, climate resilient child protection system and prevention and promotion of VAC. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of child protection and in close coordination with the Child Protection Specialist. The consultant will support work across all municipalities, with intensive engagement in Baucau municipality for piloting integrated child protection systems as well as Viqueque and Lautem for climate resilient Child Protection system.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  International Consultant COP and VAC.pdf

• Education: Masters in International development, Sociology, social work, Psychology, Human Rights, International Development, Law, or related social science field
  • Master’s degree and specialized training in child online protection is an asset
• Work Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in child protection, or related areas
  • Proven experience in child online protection
  • Experience in prevention of Violence against children and climate informed child protection
• Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
  • Strong technical knowledge in child protection
  • Ability to coordinate and organize workshops
  • Experience with data management and analysis
  • Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English
• Desirables:
  • Experience working with government institutions
  • Experience working with civil society organizations
  • Experience with UNICEF or UN system
  • Knowledge of child protection information management system

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

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal for International Consultant COP and VAC.xlsx

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.

Advertised: 06 Aug 2026 Tokyo Standard Time
Applications close: 15 Aug 2026 Tokyo Standard Time

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