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, a better future
UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:
- survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
- development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
- protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
- participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them
How can you make a difference?
In the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, emergencies are often characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and swift transitions back to development programming. This dynamic context requires adaptable and scalable PSEA systems that can be quickly deployed, integrated into existing structures, and sustained beyond the immediate crisis. Flexible models are essential to ensure that protection mechanisms are not only responsive during emergencies but also reinforce long-term safeguarding systems. By equipping countries with ready-to-activate frameworks and minimum preparedness actions, UNICEF can help ensure continuity of protection and accountability to affected populations, even in the most time-bound and resource-constrained scenarios.
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop models for the deployment of flexible Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) systems in acute and time-bound emergencies. This includes establishing minimum preparedness actions and providing remote capacity-building support to 2 countries. The consultancy aims to ensure that national systems are equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to SEA risks and incidents during emergencies.
The assignment is not considered an elevated risk role.
Work assignments:
This consultancy falls under UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme in the East Asia and Pacific Region, with a specific focus on strengthening systems for the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). The assignment supports ongoing regional efforts to enhance national capacities for safeguarding and survivor assistance, particularly through the integration of PSEA into government-led reporting mechanisms and service delivery systems and contributing to disaster preparedness. It aligns with UNICEF’s broader commitment to Accountability to Affected Populations and the operationalization of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) commitments on PSEA and victim assistance in both humanitarian and development contexts. Strengthening national systems for PSEA and safeguarding not only enhances accountability and protection in development settings but also builds foundational capacities that are critical during humanitarian crises. By embedding ethical, survivor-centered approaches into existing structures, countries are better positioned to respond swiftly and effectively to SEA risks and incidents in emergency contexts.
1. Assignment:
The purpose of this work is to design adaptable models for the rapid deployment of PSEA systems in acute and time-bound emergencies, particularly in contexts where humanitarian responses must scale up quickly and transition back to development programming. These models aim to ensure that core safeguarding principles and survivor-centered mechanisms are in place from the onset of an emergency, even in resource-constrained or rapidly evolving environments.
The process will involve a review of existing PSEA frameworks and emergency response models, consultations with UNICEF country offices and partners, and the development of practical tools and templates. This includes defining minimum preparedness actions—such as pre-positioned referral pathways, trained focal points, and adaptable reporting mechanisms—and creating guidelines for rapid response that can be tailored to different emergency types and durations.
Expected Deliverable 1: Develop a package of models for the deployment of flexible PSEA systems in acute and time-bound emergencies. This includes creating minimum preparedness actions and guidelines for rapid response.
Delivery Schedule: 15 days
2. Assignment:
The purpose of engaging 2 countries in remote capacity-building is twofold: to test and refine the flexible PSEA deployment models in real-world contexts, and to strengthen capacities in COs to implement PSEA systems in emergencies. By working directly with selected countries, the consultancy will gather practical insights on the feasibility, adaptability, and effectiveness of the proposed models. These engagements will also serve to build local ownership, enhance technical knowledge, and identify context-specific entry points for integrating minimum preparedness actions into national emergency response frameworks. The learning from these pilots will inform final adjustments to the models and contribute to regional guidance and scale-up strategies.
Expected Deliverable 2: Provide remote capacity-building support to 2 countries through dedicated webinars, practical learning sessions, and support to adapt tools.
Delivery Schedule: 15 days
Duration of Contract: 1 August 2025 – 30 November 2025
Duty Travel: No travel is anticipated during this consultancy.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Technical Proposal
- Relevant academic qualifications and professional experience in PSEA, safeguarding, and child protection
- Demonstrated experience in developing guidance, tools, or frameworks related to PSEA or survivor assistance (7-10 years)
- Experience working with government systems and inter-agency coordination mechanisms
- Financial Proposal
Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 10 July 2025.
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.
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.
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.
