Consultant (10 months, home-based): Safeguarding Consultant, NatCom Relations/Governance, Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP)

UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division (PFP) is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is responsible for managing UNICEF’s relationship with National Committees for UNICEF. As the world’s leading children’s rights organization, UNICEF is committed to safeguarding anyone that comes into contact with the organization through our work. UNICEF issued an updated Policy on Safeguarding in 2024 that includes specific accountabilities for PFP. The technical expertise for safeguarding in PFP sits in the Governance Team as UNICEF recognizes safeguarding as part of the good governance of any organization. The Safeguarding Consultant will contribute to enabling PFP to meet its safeguarding accountabilities in its work with National Committee for UNICEF and across all private sector engagement activities.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope

How can you make a difference? 

• Support the divisional implementation of UNICEF's Safeguarding Policy and support PFP teams with their safeguarding accountabilities;
• Provide support to National Committees in implementing the Child Safeguarding Commitments;
• Support organizational safeguarding risk management;
• Develop and deliver key training and guidance for relevant stakeholders; and
• Prepare for key meetings and supporting new initiatives.

Work Assignment Overview & Deliverables:

• To provide additional safeguarding expertise to PFP’s work with National Committees for UNICEF to support implementing of the Child Safeguarding Commitments:

1. Support the development of a safeguarding guidance for NatComs that is aligned and consistent with UNICEF's Safeguarding Policy and documents by 30 Jun 2025.
2. Coordinate the organization and co-lead the facilitation and delivery of an in-person meeting for National Committee Child Safeguarding Focal Points with themed workshops by 31 Mar 2025
3. Support the finalization and roll-out of the Safeguarding and Interviewing Children workshop by 30 Jun 2025.

• To provide additional safeguarding expertise to the safeguarding work for PFP division and across all PSE areas:

1. Contribute safeguarding expertise to private sector partnerships, as needed/requested and develop relevant proposals for strategic approach to safeguarding and partnerships by 30 Sep 2025.
2. Support organizational safeguarding risk management by 30 Sep 2025.
3. Coordinate the organization and co-lead the facilitation and delivery of themed safeguarding workshops for a range of stakeholders by 30 Sep 2025.
4. Produce new safeguarding guidance on themed work areas as requested by 30 Sep 2025.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in a related field (e.g. social work, law, education, psychology, international development) is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or higher), in combination with additional qualifying 2 years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in safeguarding is required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering safeguarding training and guidance resources is essential.
• Ability to work independently and consultatively within a team, as well as in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, and follow established policies and procedures, is essential.

• Fluency in English is required, spoken and written. Knowledge of an additional UN languages is desirable.

Other:

• Proficiency with standard MS Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word, etc.) is required.
• Familiarity with UNICEF and National Committees is an asset.
• Technical knowledge of safeguarding in sport in large, multinational sports federations is an asset.
• Ability to travel to 1-2 in person meetings (Europe-based) during the course of the contract.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).   

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.