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For every child, the right to protection! Purpose of Activity/Assignment: ย Provide direct counselling support โ through home visits and sessions at Inson Centres for Social Services โ to individuals/families evacuated from Gaza and to children and women returnees from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria; and strengthen the capacity of the National Agency for Social Protectionโs (NASP) social service workforce to deliver structured, trauma-informed Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). ย In late December 2024, Uzbekistan evacuated 100 Palestinian citizens (35 families) for treatment and rehabilitation. These families are residing in Uzbekistan for an open-ended period and require sustained integration support. In August 2025, the President approved a decree \"On measures to implement the system of assistance to the group of Palestinian citizens in Uzbekistan based on the principles of state care and mercy\", establishing a system of assistance to this group. Building on Uzbekistanโs experience integrating international MHPSS standards in crisis settings, UNICEF will support the Government to assist evacuated individuals/families from Gaza. Additionally, ongoing support to NASPโs social service workforce in providing MHPSS to an approximate 70 returnee families from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan is needed. ย This assignment will contribute to the holistic reintegration and well-being of families by ensuring high-quality psychosocial care, integration with social service systems, and alignment with international MHPSS standards and trauma-informed interventions. ย Scope of Work ย Under the direct supervision of UNICEFโs Child Protection Officer โ and in close collaboration with a national consultant supporting NASPโs social service workforce on case management, as well as an Uzbek/RussianโArabic interpreter โ the consultant will: ย 1.ย Direct support to individuals/families
Provide counselling and psychosocial support to families with children evacuated from Gaza and returnee families from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria via home visits and/or sessions at Inson Centres. Ensure MHPSS, trauma-informed interventions are child- and family-centered, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and confidential; and that crisis cases are prioritized. Facilitate referrals to specialized health/mental health, education, where required. 2. Case management integration Participate in case management processes, including assessment, planning, follow-up, and review of cases. Take part in multidisciplinary case discussions to ensure holistic support. Document interventions, progress, and challenges. 3.ย Capacity building of Inson Centre psychologists Coach district Inson psychologists on evidence-based psychosocial interventions with children and families at high risk. Provide supervision and peer-learning opportunities. Support the integration of evidence-based practices into Inson Centersโ routine work. 4.ย Collaboration & knowledge sharing Work closely with the National Consultant engaged in providing support to NASPโs social service workforce in case management. Participate in supervision and coordination meetings at national and regional levels. Document lessons learned and contribute to reports on challenges, good practices, and recommendations. Work Assignments Overview -ย Deliverables/Outputs -ย Timeline ย 1. Direct counseling and MHPSS to individuals/families evacuated from Gaza through home visits and Inson Centres, together with an Uzbek/Russian/Arabic interpreter (approx. caseload 35 families). Includes assessment, counseling sessions, follow-up, and referrals -ย 27 Oct 2025 โ May 2026 (ongoing), 91 days in total All referred families assessed; Individual Care Plans-ICPs (incl. safety plans) developed -ย By 28 Nov โ25 (18 days) Regular counselling individuals/family (Inson centre/home), warm referrals made and documents followed-up. MHPSS is trauma-informed, child-safe, confidential; crisis cases prioritized -ย Ongoing (by Nov โ25: 5 days, then monthly: 10*6 days) Monthly brief on support provided (1-2 pp.) to NASP and UNICEF (to UNICEF without confidential data); attach caseload list, ICPs/status tracker, session/referral log developed with relevant Inson Centre Psychologists -ย Ongoing (by Nov โ25: 2 days, then monthly: 1*6 days) 2.ย Support the Inson Centre Psychologists in providing counselling and MHPSS to children and women returned from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria (approx. caseload 70 families). Includes supervision and coaching and where required (complex/crisis cases) direct counselling and MHPSS to children, women and their families -ย 1 Dec 2025 โ May 2026 (ongoing), 75 days in total ย Supervision & quality assurance: Deliver a structured supervision plan for Inson Centre psychologists; conduct spot checks of files/sessions; issue brief quality assurance (QA) notes with corrective actions and track closure -ย Ongoing (by 5 Dec โ25 a supervision plan: 3 days, monthly from Dec โ25 to May โ26 spot checks and Q&A: 2*6 days) ย Complex/crisis case support: Provide direct counselling/MHPSS home visits for complex or crisis cases upon request/triage; ensure safety planning and rapid response timelines are met -ย Ongoing (monthly from Dec โ25 to May โ26: 3*6 days) ย Tools & practice standards: Develop/adapt ICP, safety plan, session log, and referral templates; ensure use of practice guides (trauma-informed, child-safe, culturally sensitive) -ย Ongoing (monthly from Dec โ25 to May โ26: 2*6 days) ย Capacity building: Coach psychologists on assessment, ICP goal-setting, brief evidence-based techniques, referral navigation, and documentation -ย Ongoing (monthly from Dec โ25 to May โ26: 2*6 days) ย Reporting: Submit a monthly 1โ2 pp. brief to NASP & UNICEF (to UNICEF without confidential data) summarizing supervision provided, complex-case support, QA findings/corrections, and key bottlenecks/lessons; attach updated caseload list, ICP/status tracker, and session/referral log (compiled with psychologists) -ย Ongoing (monthly from Dec โ25 to May โ26: 1*6 days) ย Coordination: Participate in multidisciplinary case discussions and NASP coordination meetings;ย document decisions and follow-up actions relevant to MHPSS delivery -ย Ongoing (monthly from Dec โ25 to May โ26: 2*6 days) ย Final report consolidating results, documenting challenges, good practices, and recommendations for providing quality MHPSS services to returnee children and women from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria as well as individuals/families evacuated from Gaza -ย Final report in English, max 5 pages -ย By 5 June โ26, 5 days ย Total estimated consultancy days: 171 days ย Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 171 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.Travel is required.ย
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
Minimum requirements:
Education: Masterโs degree in psychology, social work, counselling, or a related field. Work Experience:ย Minimum of 8 years of experience delivering direct MHPSS services to children and families, preferably with experience in delivering MHPSS services to children and families affected by conflict. Demonstrated experience coaching and supervising mental health and/or social service professionals. Strong knowledge of international MHPSS standards and evidence-based interventions. Experience working within multidisciplinary case management systems. Excellent facilitation, communication, and reporting skills. Experience in providing MHPSS services to returnees from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria in Uzbekistan considered a strong asset.Language Requirements: Fluency in Uzbek; Russian is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEFโs 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 areโฆ
(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 othersย
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.ย 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 aย wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks andย 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:ย ย
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.ย
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally requiredย 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.ย
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 applicantsโ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEFโs 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.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.