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UNICEF Ukraine 

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How can you make a difference? 

Background: 

The Ministry of Education and Science has launched a legislative roadmap for 2025–2027, which foresees the development of a Concept of Career Guidance in the Education System, preparation of a Cabinet of Ministers Resolution to pilot career counselling in schools, and the introduction of a new profession, Career Educational Counsellor, into the national classification system. These steps aim to create a consistent nationwide model aligned with New Ukrainian School reform priorities.

Within its Education and Skills programme results framework, UNICEF Ukraine has committed to support the Ministry of Education and Science in developing its national Career Guidance framework and addressing longstanding systemic gaps. Existing career guidance practices in schools remain fragmented, lack unified standards, and operate with limited institutional capacity. These challenges have been further exacerbated by years of disrupted learning, ongoing hostilities, and reduced exposure of adolescents to real-world professional environments. 

UNICEF’s Education & Skills programme will provide the analytical foundation for nationwide implementation by conducting a desk research on best practices, identifying system gaps, preparing policy recommendations aligned with European career management approaches, and reviewing and harmonizing key legislative and regulatory documents, The implementation of the career counselling framework across the country will then be undertaken by the MoES with World Bank financing through the LEARN programme.

UNICEF’s approach to supporting career guidance for adolescents and young people in Ukraine includes complementary support to both the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Youth and Sports in developing systems that enable young people to navigate professional pathways and access employment opportunities. Through ADAP, UNICEF strengthens youth-policy dimensions by expanding youth-friendly, low-threshold career guidance services, skills-building programmes, and labour-market exposure in community settings. This complements the mandate of the MoES’s on structured, school-based career guidance and reinforces a national transition toward the Youth Guarantee reform, ensuring that adolescents and young people receive coherent, continuous support across education and youth policy systems. 

Purpose of assignment:

To provide technical support to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in developing a scientifically grounded, gender-responsive, and coherent framework for implementing career guidance in general secondary education through: 

Conducting a comprehensive desk research on international best practice in school-based career guidance, systems with attention to elimination of gender-based stereotypes in career exploration and providing recommendations for Ukraine. 

Reviewing and aligning Ukraine’s current legislative and regulatory documents with these practices, ensuring coherence with global standards. 

Work assignment overview:

Deliverable 

Deadline 

# of w/days 

Research methodology developed and approved by UNICEF, including scope, tools, sampling, interview guide and data sources. 

9 Jan 2026 

5 

Collection and analysis of official Ukrainian data, including preparation and submission of information requests (if needed), systematization of datasets and synthesis summary.

30 Jan 2026 

10 

Desk research report on international practices of career guidance, covering trends, models, policies and implementation mechanisms in the development of career counselling and guidance systems in communities, analysis of training programmes and certification of career counsellors for educational institutions, and their job responsibilities; and comparative analysis with relevance to Ukraine.
Preliminary implementation structure: 

1. Preparatory stage (Formulation of hypotheses, identification of countries for research, development of search methodology). 

2. Data collection and systematization (Trends, models, policies, implementation mechanisms, analysis of curricula and job descriptions). 

3. Analysis and synthesis (Comparative analysis of international practice with the context of Ukraine, and preparation of conclusions). 

6 Mar 2026 

25 

11 expert interviews conducted*, transcribed and synthesized with representatives of local authorities and educational institutions (online or by telephone, if necessary) regarding the objectives and results of implementing career counselling and guidance, existing experience and gaps in the current system: education authorities – 2; MoES directorates – 3; local authorities – 2; academic and professional lyceums, colleges and higher education institutions - 4). 

Preliminary implementation structure: 

1. Interview (Including planning, logistics and notes)

2. Transcription (Transcribed)

3. Synthesis and Analysis (Including coding, thematic analysis and preparation of conclusions) 
*Translation will be provided separately by UNICEF. 

10 Apr 2026 

25 

Integrated analytical report with conclusions and recommendations, presenting a consolidated model of career guidance and counselling adapted to the Ukrainian context, following the agreed structure. 

17 Apr 2026 

10 

Presentation prepared summarizing key findings, comparative insights, and recommendations from the research.

24 Apr 2026 

3 

One webinar/presentation delivered (online or offline) to present results to UNICEF, MoES and partners, including Q&A and follow-up materials.

30 Apr 2026 

3 

Providing recommendations and expert conclusions based on international experience regarding the national classification of professions, professional standards, the format of qualification exams or final assessments for awarding micro-qualifications to career education counsellors and providing conclusions on their compliance with EU standards and requirements, as well as offer general recommendations on further steps. 

26 Jun 2026 

15 

Final consultant completion report, summarizing tasks completed, methodologies applied, findings, recommendations, and lessons learned.

1 Jul 2026 

2 

Total: 

 98

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master’s degree or higher in Public Policy, Education, Social Sciences, Economics, International Development or related fields.

Work Experience: 

At least 10 years of proven international experience in: Education policy analysis and development.

Designing or evaluating national frameworks, regulations, standards, or competency models. 

Conducting desk research, comparative policy studies, and preparing analytical policy reports. 

Advising governments or national institutions on reforms in general secondary education, career guidance, or skills development. 

Experience working with EU education approaches and frameworks on education and skills development (OECD, ETF guidelines, etc). 

Previous experience collaborating with ministries, national institutes, or multi-stakeholder task forces on policy alignment. 

Skills and competencies:

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with demonstrated ability to produce clear, evidence-based policy recommendations. 

Proven ability to review, compare, and align legislative and regulatory documents with international standards. 

Ability to synthesize complex information and present it concisely for decision-makers. 

Strong understanding of career guidance systems, youth skills development, or EU-aligned education reforms. 

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, especially in high-level policy environments. 

Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and deliver high-quality outputs with minimal supervision. 

Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and child-rights-based approaches is an advantage. 

Language Requirements:

English: Proficient/Native [C2].

Desirables:

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. Experience working in post-conflict, transition, or reforming education systems is an asset.  Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and child-rights-based approaches is an advantage.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 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:  

Please indicate your all-inclusive (lump sum) fees in USD against the deliverables listed above, including all associated administrative and travel costs (if applicable). The office selects the individual based on best value for money.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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 consultant 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 consultant 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. The vaccine mandate, 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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.