Working arrangement - Remote work

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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                                                         TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF Italy in strengthening the delivery and quality of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for migrant and refugee children and adolescents, in particular through the coordination of the MHPSS Community of Practices.

Italy remains a frontline country for arrivals of migrants and refugees, including a significant number of unaccompanied and separated children. While a solid legal framework is in place, reception systems continue to face pressure, particularly in the context of evolving migration dynamics and the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

In this context, strengthening access to timely, culturally appropriate and trauma-informed MHPSS services is essential to support the wellbeing and resilience of children and adolescents on the move. UNICEF Italy supports national and local authorities in this effort through initiatives funded under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF/FAMI), aimed at enhancing the capacity and coordination of the reception system.

MHPSS is a key priority for UNICEF globally and in Europe, as reflected in the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026–2029. Children and adolescents in vulnerable situations, including migrants and refugees, face increased psychosocial risks linked to displacement, family separation, uncertainty and exposure to violence or exploitation. Strengthening integrated, child-sensitive MHPSS services is therefore critical to ensure effective protection and inclusion pathways.

Within this framework, the consultancy will contribute to strengthening system-level coordination, improving knowledge exchange and supporting the development of practical tools and approaches to enhance MHPSS service provision across national and territorial levels.

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Child Protection Manager, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Facilitation and coordination of the MHPSS Community of Practice (CoP) and the Working Group (WG) on remote services for migrants and refugees

• Plan, organize and facilitate regular CoP and WG meetings (online and, where relevant, in person), ensuring active participation and effective exchange among members

•Maintain continuous engagement with CoP and WG members through regular communication, follow-up and bilateral exchanges

•Support the identification and inclusion of relevant MHPSS service providers and stakeholders to ensure diversity, quality and national representativeness

•Foster a collaborative environment that promotes peer learning, exchange of practices and joint problem-solving

2. Knowledge management and documentation

• Prepare and finalize reports following each CoP and WG meeting, ensuring accurate and timely documentation of discussions, practices shared, challenges identified and agreed follow-up actions

• Consolidate inputs from CoP and WG exchanges into structured knowledge products, including analytical reports and summaries of emerging trends and practices
• Contribute to the systematization of lessons learned to inform ongoing technical work and knowledge sharing

3. Technical support and development of guidance

• Support the drafting, review and updating of technical documents and training packages on MHPSS standards and service provision for adolescent and young migrants and refugees, including the MHPSS dimensions of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum
• Integrate evidence and lessons learned from the CoP and WG into technical guidance, ensuring relevance and applicability across different regional contexts
• Ensure that technical materials are regularly updated in line with ongoing discussions with national counterparts and evolving policy and operational frameworks

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0001659 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements

• Master's or equivalent in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, Social Sciences or a related field

Professional experience

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), child protection or related fields
• Demonstrated experience working with migrants, refugees and/or vulnerable populations, preferably adolescents and young people
• Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms, such as communities of practice, working groups or coordination mechanisms
• Experience in developing technical guidance, standards, or training materials in the area of MHPSS or social services
• Experience working with public institutions and/or policy processes is an asset

Knowledge and expertise

• Strong knowledge of MHPSS approaches and service provision for children, adolescents and vulnerable populations
• Understanding of national and European migration and asylum frameworks, including the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum (asset)
• Knowledge of child protection systems

Skills and competencies

• Strong facilitation and coordination skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, including drafting of technical and policy-oriented documents
• Ability to translate technical knowledge into practical guidance and tools
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines

Languages

• Fluency in English and Italian (written and spoken) is required

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A technical proposal (requirements: in the ToR) 
• A separate financial proposal  TMC0001659 FINANCIAL PROPOSAL.docx

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.