Expert on CRSV Response and Policy Integration at the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022 has resulted in widespread human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), as well as a deteriorating humanitarian situation marked by alarming levels of displacement. In response, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) and the Government of Ukraine (GoU), represented by the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, signed a Framework of Cooperation (FoC) to coordinate national efforts on CRSV prevention and response in line with relevant Security Council resolutions. This led to the adoption of an Implementation Plan (IP), overseen by the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy through a specifically established thematic Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG), with technical support from the Office of the SRSG-SVC (OSRSG-SVC), which acts as a co-lead across the five pillars of the FoC. The FoC Implementation Plan outlines commitments by national authorities and the UN under five pillars: countering trafficking in persons, comprehensive assistance to survivors, justice and accountability, security sector capacity-building, and reparations. The EU-funded Ukraine Joint Programme on CRSV, implemented by UN agencies in partnership with the Government during 2023-2025 (Phase I), supported the strengthening of the national institutional response to CRSV. To achieve this, the programme, inter alia, deployed national experts embedded within selected state institutions and Women Protection Advisers within the UN Country Team. This joint initiative formed part of a broader UN response, operating in synergy with other CRSV-focused projects and contributing to the collective efforts required for the full implementation of the FoC commitments. Phase I of the Joint Programme helped establish the necessary national institutional capacity to plan, coordinate, and deliver CRSV prevention and response. It also supported national authorities, civil society, and the UN in implementing the FoC Implementation Plan in an integrated, coordinated, and coherent manner. Building on Phase I, and in close coordination with the GoU, while addressing identified gaps and incorporating lessons learned, Phase II of the Joint Programme (2025-2026) places greater emphasis on strengthening national and subnational coordination; institutionalising CRSV prevention and response capacities; supporting accountability through the implementation of the Law of Ukraine No.4067 on reparations (https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4067-20#Text); expanding access to inclusive, multi-sectoral services; and strengthening monitoring, documentation, and reporting on CRSV. It is implemented by the UN in Ukraine (specifically, UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA, OHCHR), OSRSG-SVC in partnership with the GoU and is aligned with the current iteration of the FoC IP (2026-2027). It adopts a survivor-centered approach, emphasizes localization, and ensures complementarity with other UN and international partner efforts. Phase II intends to further expand regional and local-level coordination, embedding survivor-centred approaches and integrating women-led and survivor-led organizations in service delivery, oversight, and policy feedback loops. Phase II aims to strengthen subnational systems by expanding local coordination platforms, equipping regional actors with survivor-centred tools and referral frameworks, and connecting them to national decision-making. Sustained partnerships with regional and local public authorities and women-led civil society is considered critical to building community-based support systems.
UNFPA in Ukraine has been working closely with government counterparts, the United Nations Country Team, civil society organisations, survivors’ networks, and other key partners to support the operationalisation of the FoC and the development of its Implementation Plan. UNFPA also co-implements a range of CRSV response-focused initiatives, including Phases I and II of the Joint Programme. In this capacity, UNFPA continues to support efforts related to the coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the FoC, with a particular focus on localisation, including through the secondment of national consultants to the select GoU agencies, including the Ministry of
Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, under Phase II of the Joint Programme. This support aims to strengthen government ownership, ensure harmonised and impactful
programming, and promote sustainable institutional leadership in the CRSV response.

The National Consultant will support the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine – the Hosting Entity – in addressing challenges related to the implementation of
the state policy on combating sexual violence related to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, including in frames of the FoC and its Implementation Plan.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, social science, international relations, international human rights or a related field.
 

● Fluency in Ukrainian (oral and written) and working-level proficiency in English (oral and written). 

● Start date: 01 August 2026 (tentatively)
● End date: 31 December 2026

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.