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UNICEF Italy / Published Jun 2, 2026

Case Manager

On-site16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Location: Italy; Milan
Duration: 183 days; Possible extension
Deadline: Jun 16, 2026; 11 days ago
Assignments: 1; available position(s)
Expected start: Jul 1, 2026
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026; National

Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Assignment

What the volunteer will do

Mission and objectives

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. UNICEF’s Programme in Italy was set up in 2016 to respond to a large influx of unaccompanied minors arriving primarily through the Central Mediterranean route.

Context

A UNICEF Migrant and Refugee Response is operational in Italy since 2016 through an Outposted UNICEF ECARO team, based on official agreements with National Authorities aimed at providing technical support for the protection and social inclusion of refugee and migrant children, families, and women, including the more recent Ukraine refugee population. A two-pronged approach combines humanitarian service delivery with capacity building, policy reform, and technical assistance in cooperation with governmental counterparts and civil society. Child Protection is one of the core pillars of the Response and is focused on: 1) promoting minimum child protection standards at border and transit areas, as well as across the national reception system; 2) strengthening the capacity to provide quality mental health and psycho-social support to migrant and refugee children and youth, as well as caregivers; 3) promoting family and community-based solutions for unaccompanied and separated children; and 4) strengthening the guardianship system for unaccompanied and separated children. In the context of migration and asylum, Italy continues to be a frontline country for arrivals both by sea from the Central Mediterranean route and by land from the Western Balkan route. The country is considered both a destination and a transit country for all those migrants and refugees who are trying to reach Northern European countries. Refugees and migrants, and in particular children and women travelling alone, continue to undertake dangerous journeys to reach Europe, facing specific protection risks, including GBV ones. Since the beginning of 2026, 11,180 migrants and refugees have arrived in Italy, 892 of whom are under the age of 18. Departures have resumed consistently from Tunisia and Libya. Furthermore, there has been an increase of extremely vulnerable cases, including single-parent families, pregnant girls, and children under 14 traveling alone (UASC). Despite the Italian child protection system foreseeing a solid legal framework for the protection of UASC, the legal provisions remain partially implemented and the system continues being challenged by the constant increase of numbers of children in first and second-line reception centers. Despite efforts from the Italian Government, including the declaration of the state of emergency to handle the increase of migratory flows and a solid legal framework, the system remains highly fragmented, with several disparities in quality of services and care. In this context, the upcoming National Plan implementing the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration will require remarkable endeavors in terms of enhancing current reception standards, posing the best interests of the child at the core of reception decisions for UASC, reviewing and strengthening accommodation arrangements vis-à-vis specific needs. Against this background and under the framework of AMIF funds as entrusted by the Italian Ministry of the Interior, UNICEF aims at strengthening the capacity of the Italian protection and reception system from arrival to all the subsequent reception phases, to ensure protection and care for the most vulnerable refugee and migrant children, including those transitioning to adulthood, UASC, families, and women survived/at risk of gender-based violence. These people of concern (PoC) will have access to emergency protection interventions, alternative care solutions, and lifesaving information.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, the UNV Case Managers will work in Area IV of the Prefectures of Milan to support the local authority in properly manage cases of unaccompanied children (UASC), those transitioning to adulthood, families with children and women survived and/or at risks of GBV. The case managers will facilitate the coordination between prefectures and local protection services (e.g. local health services, justice and social authorities, including Juvenile Courts, Social Services, Regional Ombudspersons for Childhood and Adolescence, Managing Bodies of reception facilities, anti-violence centers and Civil Society Organizations). Specifically, he/she will: · Provide technical advice and guidance to Area IV of Prefectures to support prompt and appropriate transfer/allocation in adequate reception facilities and facilitate foster care options when available. · Implement a comprehensive Child Protection Case Management (CP CM) based on international standards throughout the following steps: best interest assessment, action planning, implementation, follow up and case closure. · Support foster care procedures for UASC, in cooperation with local partners and institutions; · Maintain the mapping of available protection services updated. · Facilitate the referral mechanisms between Prefectures and CP actors and stakeholders (e.g. Juvenile Courts, Health and Social Services, Guardians, Ombudspersons, Reception facilities, Anti-violence Centers and all the other relevant players/services). · Contribute to interagency coordination with other relevant actors (e.g. UNHCR, Save the Children, EUAA, and other organizations involved at the local level); · Enhance progress in the governance of the local child protection system, by conducting desk reviews on the legal and financial framework related to UASC reception, protection and social inclusion, organizing and participating in relevant working groups (e.g. Tavoli di Vulnerabilità), promoting structured cooperation between institutional actors involved (e.g. drafting and bargaining of MoUs) and drafting of SoP. Further, the case managers will : · Provide if and as needed, technical support to the other operational teams (GBV team) to collect qualitative/quantitative data on the protection needs of PoC (with a specific focus on girls and women) in hotspots and/or first line reception facilities to gain insights into the existing gaps around protection needs, safety, and related aspects. · Gather and systematize data on the intervention conducted by case managers to facilitate analysis of their effectiveness and impact. · When needed, support capacity-building sessions for local authorities (e.g. Social service, Juvenile Courts) on UASC phenomenology, child-friendly procedures, alternative care solutions and child participation in judicial hearings. · Perform any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Eligibility and qualifications

Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 5 years
Education: Master's degree
Nationality: National or legal resident of the assignment country

Languages

ItalianRequired

Fluent

EnglishRequired

Fluent

Areas of expertise

Social work

Skills and experience

· 5 years of work experience with Refugees and migrants or vulnerable children along with extensive experience in the field of child protection and gender-based violence; experience with UNICEF is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. · Proven experience of work with local institutional authorities in protection and reception of migrants and refugees is an asset. · Proven knowledge of the Italian national context with regards to asylum, migration, and protection system and legal and policy framework · Excellent oral and written skills in Italian; proven experience in reporting. · Attention to details. Experience with proofreading and editing documents both in Italian and in English. · Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. Desirable: · Have affinity with or interest in child protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System;

Competencies and values

· Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF ECARO Rome OP ; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF ECARO Rome OP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; · Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF ECARO Rome OP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; · Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; · Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. · Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; · Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; · Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. · Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards ECARO Rome mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values

Notes

Additional information

Living conditions and remarks

The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. Monthly Living Allowance (Per month, paid in USD): apx. EUR 3325 Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 350 Exit allowance (for each month served, paid on completion of contract): USD 120 Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in the exchange rate. Leave entitlements: Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month Certified sick leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. Uncertified sick leave: 7 days for 12 months and 4 days for shorter assignments Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months (shorter assignments are prorated) For more information, please consult the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and visit (https://app.unv.org/calculator) Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor. The security situation in Italy remains calm and stable. Regionally, terrorism is a concern, but there is NO direct threat towards UN in Italy. Vigilance and awareness are recommended. Crime is not specifically targeted at UN staff, but opportunistic thefts are the most reported incidents impacting UN staff and dependents. Travelers should exercise normal precautions to avoid being pickpocketed. Different types of long-term accommodation are available in Rome: standalone houses, houses in gated compounds, apartments. These could be furnished and/or fully serviced, or unfurnished. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. UNV is committed to diversity, human rights, and individual dignity.

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