National Consultant – Violence against Children, Sri Lanka, 6 months (Sri Lankan nationals only) Individual Consultant National Position Senior level Short term contract

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, the right to [insert tagline] 

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

To provide technical assistance to UNICEF and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services (DPCCS) in strengthening the national child protection system. The consultant will develop standardized case management guidelines for responding to violence against children (VAC), create accompanying information management indicators, and institutionalize these practices through the development of training curricula and capacity building of probation officers in targeted provinces (Central, Northern, and Eastern).

The consultancy supports the implementation of the Model Continuum of Services for Child Victims of Violence, launched in September 2025 in cooperation with MOWCA and MOJ, under the umbrella of the JURE programme, and its roll out in Central, Eastern and Northern Provinces.

Scope:

Objectives of the consultancy:

•To develop case management guidelines for response to violence

•To develop information management indicators to mirror the case management guidelines

•To develop training materials on child abuse case management for probation officers, to be included in the national and provincial training curricula. These materials will be developed in cooperation with a working group composed of relevant government institutions, to ensure the training materials are institutionalised.

•To ensure basic, initial and continuous training for probation officers (and related stakeholders) on case management in response to violence in three target provinces. The consultant will work with the relevant government agencies to also train a pool of master trainers, and co-lead the trainings with the master trainers.

•To oversee the implementation of the case management guidelines in close cooperation with government and CSO partners in target provinces, as part of rolling out Model Continuum of Services for VAC.

The consultant is expected to support UNICEF from March to September 2026, with an approximate number of 105 working days

Deliverables:

• Preparation of an overview of existing national guidelines/SOPs related to child abuse case management across sectors (protection, health, justice) and overview of international best practices
• Development of case management guidelines for response to violence and first round of trainings for probation officers and other stakeholders
• Follow-up towards the endorsement of the case management guidelines in response to child abuse
• Development of information management indicators to mirror the case management guidelines
• Development of training materials on child abuse case management for probation officers, to be included in the national training curricula
• Oversight of the implementation of the case management guidelines and continuous capacity building

The consultant will be based at the offices of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services for several days a week/or be home based (depending on the tasks), with a possibility to be working from UNICEF offices one day per week. Consultant will be also expected to travel to provinces frequently (Central, Northern, Eastern) for a few days each month, around 30 days total within the 6-moth consultancy period (to be adjusted as needed).

Remuneration of the consultant will be based on deliverables (see above deliverables). The consultant is expected to estimate daily professional fees for the financial proposal. UNICEF will additionally reimburse in-country travel expenses, undertaken as per the agreed plan between the consultant and the child protection section.

The consultant is responsible for arranging his/her own travel and submit invoices to UNICEF for payment as part of the contract.

Duration of the consultancy: 6 months (105 working days)

Duty station – Colombo (Home based)

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please complete your profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system. https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate in LKR to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable)

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered

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

Minimum requirements:

Advanced degree in social work, psychology, human rights, development studies or other relevant domain in social sciences

Minimum 7- 10 years of relevant professional experience of working on the rights of children, child protection, social service workforce strengthening, expert level technical support functions to government and/or civil society.

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Expert level knowledge in child protection, intersectoral and integrated services to address violence against children

-Expert level knowledge of Sri Lanka’s child protection and legal system, and solid understanding of child protection, trafficking, gender-based violence related laws, procedures, guidelines.

-Demonstrable experience of working in a lead capacity to develop guidelines, SOPs, referral pathways and similar documents, especially related to child protection.

-Demonstrable experience of working in a lead capacity to develop and deliver training programmes.

-Experience in providing technical assistance to government and NGOs/CSOs.

-Experience of prior work with a diverse set of stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, children, OPDs.

-Ability to work independently, good planning and coordination

-Effective oral and written communication in English, and in Sinhala or Tamil.

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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

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 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, eligible and suitable candidates are 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. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.