UNICEF Ukraine / Published Jul 6, 2026
Child Protection Associate (Odesa)
On-site8. Decent work and economic growth
- Location
- Ukraine
- Odesa
- Duration
- 365 days
- Possible extension
- Deadline
- Jul 20, 2026
- 5 days left
- Assignments
- 1
- available position(s)
- Expected start
- Aug 3, 2026
- Volunteer category
- Associate UCoS from Apr2026
- National
Sustainable Development Goal
8. Decent work and economic growth
Assignment
What the volunteer will do
Mission and objectives
UNICEF is supporting health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, access to safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict.
Context
Since the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine, host communities in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson oblasts have faced increasing pressure to provide integrated and sustainable social services for internally displaced persons (IDPs), conflict-affected children, and vulnerable families. The war has caused widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure, psychosocial distress, unemployment, and heightened risks of family separation and institutionalization of children. At the same time, many local authorities and service providers continue to face limited technical capacity, insufficient human and financial resources, and weak coordination systems to respond effectively to the growing and increasingly complex protection needs of children and families.
Across the three oblasts, there is a critical need to strengthen community-based integrated social services, improve social work case management and referral pathways, and expand family-based alternative care options for children without parental care. Strengthening gatekeeping systems, family support services, early intervention, psychosocial support, and community-based protection mechanisms is essential to prevent unnecessary institutionalization and support safe family reunification and reintegration. These efforts require stronger intersectoral coordination, evidence-based planning, skilled social service workforce development, and enhanced collaboration between oblast and hromada authorities, UNICEF implementing partners, and communities, including people with lived experience.
The purpose of this assignment is to support UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme (particularly the Better Care Flagship Program) under the Odesa Field Office. The consultant will support in strengthening and streamlining integrated social services and family-based alternative care systems across Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson oblasts. The UNV will contribute to improving coordination mechanisms, strengthening community-based child protection and gatekeeping systems, enhancing family support services, and supporting the implementation of the Better Care agenda in line with the National Strategy for Ensuring the Right of Every Child to Grow Up in a Family Environment.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, the UNV is expected to undertake the following:
- Support the establishment and functioning of regional and local Better 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 community representatives in planning, implementation, monitoring, and advocacy processes related to Better Care reform.
- Conduct situational analyses, service mapping, workforce assessments, and community profiling to identify service gaps, priority needs, and opportunities for expansion of Better Care interventions.
- Support monitoring and reporting of Better Care Program implementation in three regions under OFO.
- Support the development, implementation, and quality assurance of integrated social services and family-based care interventions.
- Support the development and roll-out of capacity-building plans for social service providers at Hromada and Oblast.
- Support the institutionalization of technical supervision, mentoring, peer-learning, and continuous professional development mechanisms for the social service workforce through direct partnership modalities and government-led systems.
- Support oblast and hromada authorities in planning, budgeting, and mobilizing resources for Better Care interventions, including strengthening understanding and application of UNICEF Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) modalities, financial management requirements, and reporting processes.
- Facilitate knowledge management, documentation of good practices, lessons learned, and success stories, and support dissemination of evidence and learning products to inform policy dialogue and programme scale-up.
Requirements
Eligibility and qualifications
- Age
- 18 - 80
- Required experience
- 1 years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Nationality
- National or legal resident of the assignment country
Languages
EnglishRequired
Fluent
UkrainianRequired
Fluent
Areas of expertise
Community developmentEducationEmergency preparedness, crisis response
Skills and experience
- At least 1 month of professional experience in social protection/child protection at national and/or subnational level.
- Knowledge of the Ukrainian system of child protection, system of social protection, system of alternative care for children (residential and family-based).
- Experience in strengthening the social workforce and system of social services
- Experience in the development of nationwide strategies and plans of action in the area of child protection.
- Experience in building a dialog with national and local governments and CSOs.
- Experience providing consultancy services to UNICEF and other UN agencies.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Teamwork and respect for diversity
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and organizing
• Communication
• Flexibility
Notes
Additional information
Living conditions and remarks
As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.
Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Associate >> USD 1374
The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy, with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.
Allowances:
- Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1374 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
- USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment.
Medical and life insurance:
- Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins at the Commencement of Service and normally ceases on the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract.
- Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.
Leave entitlements:
- Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
- Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
- 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: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.
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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