JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, safety 

Violence against children in Madagascar remains widespread, with many children facing multiple forms of violence at a given moment or throughout their childhood. Social and cultural norms favour the use of different forms of violence in children’s upbringing. In Madagascar, 9 out of 10 children aged between 1 and 14 have experienced violent methods of discipline and 8 out of 10 children have experienced psychological violence (MICS 2018). 21% of girls aged between 15 and 19 have experienced physical violence and 11% sexual violence (EDS 2021). The practice of child marriage is still widespread, with 39% of women aged 20-24 having been married before the age of 18, and 12% before the age of 15. 12% of boys aged 20-24 are married before the age of 18, one of the highest prevalence worldwide. 47% of children aged 5 to 17 in Madagascar are involved in child labour, and 32% work in hazardous conditions (MICS 2018).

Multiple different tools and guidelines for case management have been developed. This includes the 2016 national guidelines for child protection case management, and the 2022 SOPs on the management of GBV cases. These include different tools for different steps of case management, creating duplication of work for volunteers and district level staff. In addition, training approaches differ, are not unified and trainings are not systematically provided to volunteers, creating a need for the harmonisation of different tools and guidelines, and the development and use of systemic training approaches and materials for case management of cases of violence against children, women and other victims of violence.

In 2021, the Ministry of Population and Solidarities (MPS), with the technical and financial support of UNICEF Madagascar, carried out a social service workforce mapping on the basis of which practical recommendations were proposed for the recognition and support of the professionalisation of the profession of social workers.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the implementation of UNICEF’s key interventions related to strengthening the social service workfore, social work and child protection case management within the framework of the implementation of the 2024-2025 bi-annual work plan.

More specifically the consultant’s role will focus on:

• Support the implementation of activities of the 2024/2025 bi-annual workplan of the child protection section, specifically output 3 on response services related to social work and case management, including in humanitarian crisis.
• Ensure planning, implementation, follow-up of activities related to social work and case management.
• Support the implementation for the social workers deployment, including through the development of clear knowledge management strategy
• Support implementation of critical activities of the the 2025 implementation plan for the recommendations of the 2022 social service workforce mapping for Madagascar.
• Support the Ministry of Population in collaboration with protection sector partners in developing practical guidance for frontline workers on case management.
• Strengthen the understanding and capacities of UNICEF staff, government and CSO partner at national and sub-national levels on social service workforce and child protection case management, including for crisis affected children.
• The consultant may be expected to support activities related to the Child Helpline, the Emergency Reception Centre and other response-related activities based on need, discussion and agreement.

How can you make a difference?

The expected results are:

• Key activities of the 2024/2025 child protection section workplan on output 3 response services related to social work and case management are implemented as per the timeline and budget foreseen.
• Follow-up of activities related to the deployment of social workers, including payment of salaries, trainings, clinical supervision, and data collection, among others.
• Implementation of selected key actions foreseen within the 2025 plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the 2022 social service workforce mapping is on track based on the timeline indicated in the action plan.
• A practical guidance for frontline workers on case management is developed.
• The capacity of the UNICEF child protection team at national and sub-national levels and government and CSO partners on social work and child protection case management in development and humanitarian contexts is strengthened, through exchanges, trainings and capacity building opportunities.
• Implementation of emergency and development grants related to social work and case management is completed on time/on track as per donor requirements, timeline, budget, proposed results.
• Donor proposals related to social work and case management, including for emergency response, are prepared with quality and submitted on time.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TDRs Int Consultant Case Mngmt Social Work July 2025_TMS.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education:
• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: social work, international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• Work Experience:
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection, case management or social work-related areas is required.
• Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
• Relevant experience in strengthen the social service workforce at national and sub-national levels in low-income countries with weak protection systems is considered an asset.
• Experience in setting up and strengthening child protection case management programmes with government is considered an advantage.
• Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts

• Language Requirements:
• Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

How to apply

Applications must include a technical proposal and a financial proposal.

The technical proposal must include:

• A cover letter ;
• A detailed Curriculum vitae (CV) accompanied by references from 3 individuals (most recent supervisors) who can attest to the candidate”s professional and moral qualities;
• copy of diplomas ;
• copy of certificates and/ or professional references proving past and current professional experience relevant to the assignment;
• a note on the understanding of the Terms of Reference (TOR);

• a detailed work plan and timeline;
• Any other relevant information that may be useful in assessing the ability to carry out this consultation.

The financial proposal must a total amount including fee, insurance, visa, living allowance, costs related to international travel to/from Madagascar for the overall period and document/deliverable formatting costs.

Selection criterias: Technical (70% rating), based on CV (education and experience) and methodological score / schedule ; Financial (30% rating);

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 a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks: 

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, suitable, eligible and qualified candidates, particularly women, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements