Consultant position : Senior consultant on child protection / child rights / social services
Location : Kyiv, Ukraine
Duration : Urgent for 6+ months, no longer than September 30, 2024
Number of days: Flexible schedule, 25-75% of time, determined depending on candidate availability and project support needs
This position is open only to consultants currently residing in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Basic information
The “Better Care” initiative in Ukraine is designed to guarantee safe family-based care for all children. Recognizing the negative impact of the war on 7.5 million children in Ukraine, the initiative is aimed at overcoming child poverty, trauma and the risks of violence, abuse and family separation. The initiative emphasizes the social and economic benefits of protecting children from adversity and promoting their all-round development.
The Government of Ukraine and its partners, in particular UNICEF in Ukraine, are reforming the child care system in Ukraine:
- Strengthening families by providing integrated social services.
- Promoting the development of family forms of alternative care for children deprived of parental care.
- Reintegration of children living in residential institutions into family forms of upbringing, as well as transformation or closure of residential institutions for children.
In order to achieve these goals, Maestral International, with the support of UNICEF in Ukraine, cooperates with partners, including government structures. Maestral provides support in strengthening local systems and focuses its activities on the following areas:
- National legal and policy framework and coordination to support care reform
- Providing a regulatory framework to support social services for children and families
- Improving the financial structure and allocations for reforming the care system
- Supporting the scaling and sustainability of care reform
To support our activities, we are looking for a consultant in Kyiv.
Pro Maestral
Maestral International (http://maestral.org/ ) is a team of internationally recognized technical experts who support the development, strengthening and coordination of child protection systems to ensure children live a life free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Our mission is to ensure that all children, especially the most socially vulnerable and marginalized, are prioritized and raised in safe and caring families and communities. The Maestral approach emphasizes the importance of the protective environment as a critical component of health, education, economic development, and human capital development.
Maestral works around the world to increase the quality and quantity of family care options for children, thereby reducing dependency on residential care. We take an approach to providing and supporting the child protection system that prioritizes family care for all children and strengthens the capacity of families, caregivers and the system to deliver such care.
Role and responsibilities
The following role and responsibilities are preferred but flexible depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate:
- Providing technical advice on issues such as children’s rights, integrated social services and benefits, family-based alternative care (eg foster care, guardianship, etc.), and the transformation of residential care into community service providers.
- Advising and supporting the Government of Ukraine and/or UNICEF in Ukraine on such issues, including participation in meetings, presentations, trainings, etc.
- Working with Maestral’s international team to implement global best practices and standards and/or adapt global standards to local conditions. This will involve interacting with different team members based in different countries, which will be done online.
- Protecting and representing the interests of Maestral International in various forums, including meetings with the government, UNICEF and non-governmental organizations; presentations and consulting on best global practices at such forums.
- Orientation and support of non-governmental actors in the development of skills and implementation of various best global practices, including through training, mentoring, meetings, etc.
- Reviewing and writing various technical documents with the support of the Maestral International team.
- Supporting the Government of Ukraine, UNICEF Ukraine and Maestral in other duties as agreed.
Conditions
- Being in Kyiv or being able to easily get to Kyiv for meetings
- Fluency in the Ukrainian language; English is preferred, but professional proficiency is not required
- 5+ years of experience in a related field such as child rights, child protection (especially child welfare), system strengthening, social services or other relevant fields; preference will be given to candidates with more and more relevant work experience
- Experience in the field of state reforms is desirable, but not mandatory
- International work experience is preferred, but not required
- Strong organizational, record keeping and communication skills
- Motivation and ability to work independently; proactivity
Level of involvement and period of work
The number of days for this position may vary. Ideally, the candidate should devote at least 5 days per month to work. Up to 15 days per month is being considered, but more may be agreed between all parties.
Start Date: Immediately
End date: 6+ months, no later than September 30, 2024
How to apply
Request
Interested candidates are asked to send a cover letter describing your experience and resume to jison@maestral.org. Applications will be received as they are received.
