About UNICEF
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines fordeveloping countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.
Consultancy: SES Consultant
Duty Station: RMPS Unit/PET/Division of Analysis, Planning and Monitoring
Duration: 15 December 2025 – 31 December 2026
Home/ Office Based: Remote
BACKGROUND
Purpose of Activity/ Assignment: The Risk Management in Programming and Safeguarding (RMPS) unit—part of the Programme Effectiveness Team (PET) within the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM)—was established in 2024 to promote an integrated approach to risk management and safeguarding. RMPS is organized around four pillars: 1. Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) in Programming and Safeguarding 2. Complaints and Feedback Management 3. Programme Implementation Risk Management/HACT 4. Data Protection Aligned with DAPM/PET’s mandate and in collaboration with PG, RMPS supports decision-making and organizational learning, enhancing the effectiveness and results of UNICEF and its partners to uphold children's rights. RMPS also works with the Chief Risk Officer to strengthen UNICEF’s enterprise risk management by fostering coordination across risk areas and integrating risk into programmatic, operational, and strategic planning. Following the release of key regulatory documents – the Policy and Procedure on ESS in Programming (June 2025), the Policy on Safeguarding (March 2024, revised June 2025), and the forthcoming Procedure on Complaints and Feedback Management – RMPS has initiated the rollout of the Social and Environmental Safeguarding Framework. The consultancy aims to support RMPS in implementing the Social and Environmental Safeguarding (SES) rollout and, in parallel, assist Regional and Country Offices in meeting institutional donor requirements—primarily from IFIs, KfW, and GCF—related to SES. The consultant will also help align RMPS’s work with other risk areas, including AAP and data protection, and support ESS/Safeguarding compliance across programmes and operations. The consultancy will be supervised by RMPS in close coordination with relevant units within DAPM and other stakeholders. Scope of Work: 1. Support the SES rollout:
Contribute to the development and enhancement of SES-related implementation materials, ensuring that donor perspectives are not only adequately reflected, but also that the process promotes sustainability and simplification. This should cover, among other areas: - SES training modules and accompanying manuals/handbooks based on feedback collected; - The Social and Environmental Safeguarding Risk Management Plan (ESRMP), including proposed mitigation measures; - The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP); - The SES Handbook; - Monitoring tools, including benchmark / tracking tool on steps to take on SES to support offices in tracking progress (integration within existing tools as feasible); - Other SES related checklists, templates, plans, guidance, etc. Support capacity building of UNICEF staff and partners in targeted Country and/or Regional Offices on SES. Provide recommendations to better integrate SES with other risk areas, including Programme Implementation, Data Protection, Supply and Operations. Also, provide recommendations on CFM related issues, in particular:- The extent of Government involvement in CFM processes and the use of Government feedback channels, including implications for data protection, independence, and oversight;
- The use of inter-agency feedback channels and whether interoperability among systems is sufficient.
Develop concise guidance for RMPS to support Country and Regional Offices in ensuring quality assurance of risk management, from the perspective of UNICEF’s key donor requirements—this will be integrated into the SES Handbook. 2. Support in reviewing and addressing SES-related donor requirements: Engage with Regional and Country Offices to assess the compliance of submitted documents with Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs) and other documents developed by local governments as well as with relevant donors’ Environmental and Social Frameworks (ESFs), identify gaps and provide recommendations to address those gaps. Identify and propose opportunities to streamline compliance with donor requirements. Provide technical assistance to Country Offices in designing SES risks management and related checklists, plans and documents Prepare summary reports on the quality and trends of ESS/Safeguarding submissions to donors and other stakeholders, including Complaints and Feedback Mechanism (CFM) inputs, highlighting common gaps and best practicesTerms of Reference / Key Deliverables:
Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline
1.Revision of SES implementation materials (part 1)
Revised: SES training modules and accompanying manuals/handbooks; The Social and Environmental Risk Management Plan (ESRMP), including proposed mitigation measures; The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP); SES Handbook27 Feb 2026
2. Revision of SES implementation materials (part 2)
Monitoring tools, including benchmark /tracking tool on steps to take on SES to support offices in tracking progress (integration within existing tools as feasible). Other SES related checklists, templates, plans, guidance, etc.29 May 2026
3. Integration Recommendations
Report with recommendations for better integration of SES with other risk areas (e.g., Programme Implementation, Data Protection, Supply and Operations) and on UNICEF CFM viz Government30 June 2026
4. Donor Compliance Support
Report(s) on the Review and assessment of submitted documents for compliance with donor frameworks (e.g., ESCPs, ESMFs, LMPs, SEA/SH Plans, Waste Management Plans); Identification of gaps and provision of technical assistance to Country Offices; Recommendations for streamlining donor requirements.31 Aug 2026
5. Guidance Development
Concise guidance for RMPS to support Country and Regional Offices in ensuring quality assurance of risk management, from the perspective of UNICEF’s key donor requirements.31 Aug 2026
6. Reporting
Production of two analytical summary reports (every six months) on ESS/Safeguarding submissions, including CFM data. Reports will provide a trend analysis; a quantitative assessment of common gaps; a synthesis of good practices; recommendations for programme and system strengthening30 Nov 2026
Qualifications
Education:
Advanced degree in environmental science, social sciences, environmental law, law, public administration, human rights, or a related field, is required
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:
At least 5-7 years of experience in environmental and social risk assessment. Strong knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and relevant safeguard policies. Sound knowledge of Safeguarding frameworks, inclusive but not limited to Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Sound knowledge on Complaint and Feedback Management. Experience in reviewing ESCPs, ESMF, ESMPs, LMPs, and other safeguard instruments. Excellent analytical and report-writing skills. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement abilities. Ability to work both collaboratively and independently and to meet tight deadlines Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English Experience of working with UN agencies and knowledge of UNICEF mission and mandate is an assetRequirements:
Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and
- Upload copy of academic credentials
- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference. travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable. Indicate your availability- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory 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.
U.S. Visa information:
With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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 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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
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 candidate 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 candidates 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. It 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.