OVERVIEW

Background

UNESCO is the United Nations Specialized Agency with a mandate in education from lifelong learning perspectives and is committed to addressing inequalities and exclusions affecting the most vulnerable populations, including those in emergencies, conflicts, and crises-affected contexts.
UNESCO works to protect the right to education of the Ukrainian people in full alignment with Ukraine’s Recovery Plan and the United Nations Cooperation Framework.
In the education sector, the consequences of the war are hampering the protective capacity of education: children and education staff affected by the war have an increased risk of suffering emotional harm and developing mental health problems with grave implications for their overall health and well-being. Existing evidence highlights the need for MHPSS interventions in education institutions in the context of war. Considering that education institutions in Ukraine are being damaged and destroyed throughout the war, schools must be safe for children physically and psychologically.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Education and Science is spearheading the transformation of psychological services in Ukraine's education system as part of the National Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program, which is led by Ukraine's First Lady and coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine within the framework of the Interagency Coordination Council as well as in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On the Mental Health Care System in Ukraine.”UNESCO actively supports this process through its Emergency Assistance Program and the

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the authority of the Head of UNESCO Antenna in Ukraine and the direct supervision of the designated Deputy Minister of Education and Science, in close coordination with the Ministry’s team, in cooperation with the MHPSS Specialist and National Project Officers, UNESCO is looking to recruit a team of technical consultants to support the Ministry of Education and Science in the development of policies, strategies, plans, protocols and tools for the transformation of the mental health and psychosocial support provision in the education system.

Duties and responsibilities:

Ensure alignment of work with the MHPSS Vision developed by the the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and UNESCO and provisions defined by the Law of Ukraine “On the Mental Health Care System of Ukraine.” Support the development and implementation of policies, strategies, plans, and tools for the MHPSS system in education sector, in particular with regard to:
- the functioning of Inclusive Resource Centers (IRCs);
- the role and operation of the psychological service in the education system;
- school-level policies for preventing and responding to bullying and other forms of violence. Analyze and systematize results of project activities and prepare recommendations for strengthening the system of MHPSS and the Safe Educational Environment. Support the planning and implementation of pilot projects testing new approaches in the fields of MHPSS, inclusion, and violence prevention in education institutions. Engage stakeholders (education institutions, public authorities, communities) in consultations and coordination, including in areas of regulatory frameworks and financing. Apply risk management approaches to ensure the effective and timely implementation of project activities.

Long Description

Working conditions 

The consultant is expected to work on-site, offline, in the premises of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in Kyiv. The consultant will carry out the assignment under the direct supervision of the designated Deputy Minister of Education and Science, in close coordination with the Ministry’s team and UNESCO.

Deliverables/Products:

Deliverable 1 (Month 1). Submit a monthly progress report (minimum 5 pages) summarizing activities carried out, with specific analysis of the current functioning of Inclusive Resource Centers (IRCs), the education psychological service, and school-level violence prevention mechanisms in pilot communities. Include identified challenges, risks, and recommendations. 

Deliverable 2 (Month 2). Submit a monthly progress report (minimum 5 pages) providing an updated project implementation plan, reflecting the current context, deviations from the initial plan, risk analysis, and coordination needs between IRCs, psychological services, and schools. 

Deliverable 3 (Month 3). Submit a monthly progress report (minimum 5 pages) identifying priority regions for scaling up. Include justification for selection, statistics on educational infrastructure, MHPSS and IRC capacities, and contact details of key stakeholders. 

Deliverable 4 (Month 4). Submit a monthly progress report (minimum 5 pages) on results achieved in pilot communities, including quantitative and qualitative indicators, progress toward goals, and an analysis of school-level anti-bullying and violence prevention practices. 

Deliverable 5 (Month 5). Submit a monthly progress report (minimum 5 pages) presenting a detailed scaling-up plan for identified regions, specifying roles of IRCs, psychological services, and schools, and outlining procurement, communication, and risk management strategies. 

Deliverable 6 (Month 6). Submit a monthly progress report (minimum 5 pages) assessing the first month of implementation in the new regions, analyzing activities, progress against performance indicators, stakeholder collaboration, and providing recommendations for further development. 

Long Description

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COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

• Accountability (C)
• Communication (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Academic qualification

• Completed full-time higher education (Master’s degree or higher) from a university or equivalent institution in the fields of education, psychology, public administration, social sciences, or related areas.

Professional experience and skills

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project management, policy development, or service delivery in the education sector.
• Direct experience working with one or more of the following:
- Inclusive Resource Centers (IRCs);
- the psychological service in the education system;
- development or implementation of school-level anti-bullying/violence prevention policies.
• Proven knowledge of the regulatory and financial frameworks governing education and child protection in Ukraine.
• Demonstrated experience in cooperation with public authorities at local and national levels.
• Experience in projects supported by international organizations or donor-funded initiatives.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and organizational skills.
• Excellent computer literacy and ability to use office software and digital collaboration tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in sensitive contexts.

Long Description

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

A conversational level of English will be an advantage, as well as knowledge of education legislation and budgeting.