Education for Sustainable Development Consultant, Minsk, Belarus, Programme section, 17 months, Remote work, National consultants only

Contract Duration - 17 Months

Working arrangement - Remote work, Programme section, Minsk, Belarus
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TERMS OF REFERENCE

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support to Programme Specialist/Social Sector and Child Protection Section in the design, implementation, and monitoring of planned and ongoing programme interventions as well as to draft and provide inputs to fundraising project proposals in programme areas related to Inclusive Education, Social-Emotional and Digital Skills, STEM for Girls, Career Pathways for Children with Disabilities, Education in Emergencies under the Resilient Future Generation outcome, and related to Deinstitutionalization and Prevention of Institutionalization under the Supportive Family Environment and Protection from Violence outcome of the UNICEF Country Programme for 2026-2030 (CPD). The consultancy will contribute to the national education agenda ensuring future sustainable development of Belarussian society.

Inclusive Education interventions will be based on the results of the project “Inclusive Education: A Supportive Environment for Realizing the Potential of Every Child” (2019–2025), implemented by the Ministry of Education with UNICEF’s technical and financial support. The project contributed to a transformative shift in Belarus’s transition from integration-based approaches towards a coherent, systemwide model of inclusive, rights based education. In 2026– 2027, the focus will be on the further nationwide advancement of inclusive education, including strengthening and expanding the network of regional inclusive education resource centres to provide on demand consultations, access to assistive tools, high quality training materials, and collaborative platforms for knowledge sharing and peer learning. Additional efforts will target enhancing in-service teacher training, particularly in the regions, through a combination of face-to-face and distance learning modalities, supported by tailored pedagogical materials addressing teachers’ needs.

Social-Emotional Skills (SES) interventions will be strengthened in collaboration with the Republican Institute of Professional Education and the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics. Activities will include the development of organizational, methodological, and information support, as well as teacher training to further integrate SES in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. These competencies will help approximately 180,000 students enrolled in 290 colleges across Belarus to manage emotions, build effective relationships, and strengthen stress resilience. A significant proportion of these students are vulnerable, including orphans, youth from single parent families, and those in difficult life situations. Many lack essential self-regulation, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, highlighting the need for SES development.

Empowerment of girls for successful careers in STEM will be prioritized through continued promotion of the STEMinist network, which connects Belarusian adolescent girls and young women in STEM with peers across the region. Support will be provided for mentorship and experience-sharing sessions, peer-to-peer volunteer training, and masterclasses led by women professionals in STEM fields.

Career Pathways for Children with Disabilities interventions will build on the results of the project “Support in Professional Orientation of Adolescents with ASD Based on Their Personal Needs and Abilities” and the assessment of the professional orientation system for schoolchildren conducted by the Republican Institute of Professional Education. Interventions will focus on strengthening partnerships between CSOs and business companies, contributing to the creation of enabling workplaces, and supporting a smooth transition from education to employment for children with disabilities and those with special educational needs.

Education in Emergencies interventions will continue in partnership with the Gomel and Vitebsk regions and will focus on ensuring access to education for the most vulnerable children, including refugees, migrants, and other vulnerable groups. Activities will include strengthening organizational and methodological frameworks and improving pedagogues’ professional competencies to create inclusive and supportive educational environments, as well as organizing comprehensive socio-educational and psychosocial support, extracurricular activities, and events for children from refugee, migrant, and other vulnerable families.

Child Protection interventions will focus on strengthening the education system’s capacity to prevent institutionalization and advance deinstitutionalization of children, through the provision of technical expertise, with particular focus on children at social risk, young children, and children with disabilities.

Nature of Work / General Operating Areas

• Analytical work requiring basic conceptual understanding and the ability to apply conceptual models and policies in education, including education for children with disabilities and special educational needs.

• Technical assistance in the design, implementation, and monitoring programmes and projects in Inclusive Education, Social-Emotional Skills, Digital Skills, Career Guidance, Education in Emergencies, and Child Protection.

• Support to the Country Office in fundraising efforts through drafting donor proposals, reports, statements, and providing inputs to fundraising applications, as requested.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0003235 External ToR.pdf

Minimum Qualification required:

Education

Masters degree in Education, Special Education, Inclusive Education, Social Work or related areas
*two years of additional relevant work experience that was gained after obtaining a bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree, if it is 1) exceptionally approved by Representative and 2) indicated in the vacancy announcement.
Work experience

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in areas related to the rights of children with disabilities and their families, inclusive education and education for sustainable development, career pathways for children with disabilities and deinstitutionalization.

• Experience in institutional capacity strengthening projects, preferably with a focus on inclusive education, socialemotional learning, preventing institutionalization and advancing deinstitutionalization of children and career pathways.

• Experience in project monitoring, including development of tools, data systematization, and preparation of technical reports.

• Experience in drafting fundraising proposals in areas related to inclusive education, STEM for girls, education for sustainable development, social-emotional skills, deinstitutionalization and career pathways for children with disabilities.

• Experience in institutional dialogue with diverse stakeholders (government, institutions, donors, international organizations).

• Previous experience working with international organizations.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills

Demonstrated experience in project implementation, drafting strategies, and other analytical documents. Excellent analytical skills and ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly both verbally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated experience of work in multicultural environments. Demonstrated commitment to UNICEF’s mission and core values.

Language Requirements

Fluency in Russian and English.

Desirables

Experience of work for UNICEF/UNICEF programmes will be an asset.

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

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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

1. An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
2. Cover letter
3. A separate financial proposal TMC0003235 Financial proposal.docx

Remarks:

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.