Expert on CRSV Response and Policy Integration at the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine

Purpose of consultancy:

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022 has resulted in widespread human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), as well as a deteriorating humanitarian situation marked by alarming levels of displacement. In response, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) and the Government of Ukraine (GoU), represented by the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, signed a Framework of Cooperation (FoC) to coordinate national efforts on CRSV prevention and response in line with relevant Security Council resolutions. This led to the adoption of an Implementation Plan (IP), overseen by the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy through a specifically established thematic Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG), with technical support from the Office of the SRSG-SVC (OSRSG-SVC), which acts as a co-lead across the five pillars of the FoC. The FoC Implementation Plan outlines commitments by national authorities and the UN under five pillars: countering trafficking in persons, comprehensive assistance to survivors, justice and accountability, security sector capacity-building, and reparations. The EU-funded Ukraine Joint Programme on CRSV, implemented by UN agencies in partnership with the Government during 2023-2025 (Phase I), supported the strengthening of the national institutional response to CRSV. To achieve this, the programme, inter alia, deployed national experts embedded within selected state institutions and Women Protection Advisers within the UN Country Team. This joint initiative formed part of a broader UN response, operating in synergy with other CRSV-focused projects and contributing to the collective efforts required for the full implementation of the FoC commitments. Phase I of the Joint Programme helped establish the necessary national institutional capacity to plan, coordinate, and deliver CRSV prevention and response. It also supported national authorities, civil society, and the UN in implementing the FoC Implementation Plan in an integrated, coordinated, and coherent manner. Building on Phase I, and in close coordination with the GoU, while addressing identified gaps and incorporating lessons learned, Phase II of the Joint Programme (2025-2026) places greater emphasis on strengthening national and subnational coordination; institutionalising CRSV prevention and response capacities; supporting accountability through the implementation of the Law of Ukraine No.4067 on reparations (https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4067-20#Text); expanding access to inclusive, multi-sectoral services; and strengthening monitoring, documentation, and reporting on CRSV. It is implemented by the UN in Ukraine (specifically, UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA, OHCHR), OSRSG-SVC in partnership with the GoU and is aligned with the current iteration of the FoC IP (2026-2027). It adopts a survivor-centered approach, emphasizes localization, and ensures complementarity with other UN and international partner efforts. Phase II intends to further expand regional and local-level coordination, embedding survivor-centred approaches and integrating women-led and survivor-led organizations in service delivery, oversight, and policy feedback loops. Phase II aims to strengthen subnational systems by expanding local coordination platforms, equipping regional actors with survivor-centred tools and referral frameworks, and connecting them to national decision-making. Sustained partnerships with regional and local public authorities and women-led civil society is considered critical to building community-based support systems.
UNFPA in Ukraine has been working closely with government counterparts, the United Nations Country Team, civil society organisations, survivors’ networks, and other key partners to support the operationalisation of the FoC and the development of its Implementation Plan. UNFPA also co-implements a range of CRSV response-focused initiatives, including Phases I and II of the Joint Programme. In this capacity, UNFPA continues to support efforts related to the coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the FoC, with a particular focus on localisation, including through the secondment of national consultants to the select GoU agencies, including the Ministry of
Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, under Phase II of the Joint Programme. This support aims to strengthen government ownership, ensure harmonised and impactful
programming, and promote sustainable institutional leadership in the CRSV response.

You would be responsible for:

The National Consultant will support the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine – the Hosting Entity – in addressing challenges related to the implementation of
the state policy on combating sexual violence related to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, including in frames of the FoC and its Implementation Plan.

Main tasks and responsibilities:
● Support the Hosting Entity in the implementation of state policy on prevention of CRSV, including implementation of the Government of Ukraine-UN Framework of Cooperation on CRSV Response, its Implementation Plan, the objectives of the EU-funded Ukraine Joint Programme on CRSV, and relevant national legislation.
● Provide technical support for the development, review and implementation of legal, policy and methodological frameworks related to CRSV prevention, survivor assistance, social protection and reparations, including operationalization of the Law of Ukraine No. 4067-IX, while supporting the institutionalization of such support.
● Coordinate and facilitate the Ministry’s engagement in national CRSV coordination mechanisms, including the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) and relevant
thematic subgroups, ensuring effective cooperation with government institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations and development partners.
● Support the strengthening of survivor-centred, trauma-informed and gender-responsive services for CRSV survivors, including referral pathways, case management approaches, intersectoral coordination and access to comprehensive assistance at national and local levels.
● Contribute to the development and delivery of sustainable capacity-building initiatives, training programmes, methodological guidance and knowledge products
for social service providers and other professionals involved in CRSV prevention and response, designed to be embedded into national training and service delivery
systems.
● Support monitoring, analysis and reporting on implementation of CRSV-related commitments, including preparation of analytical materials, progress reports,
recommendations and contributions to national and FoC reporting processes.
● Participate in field missions to regions, where relevant, jointly with government entities, UN agencies, and other stakeholders, to assess subnational and local
needs and monitor progress in CRSV prevention and response.
● Facilitate localization of CRSV response efforts through engagement with regional and local authorities, women-led and survivor-support organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen sustainable and community-based support systems.
● Provide technical advice and support to the Hosting Entity on other issues related to CRSV prevention, response, survivor assistance and recovery, as required.
Expected deliverables:
● Policy, Legislative and Analytical Support Package: A set of analytical briefs, policy recommendations and draft legal/regulatory inputs supporting implementation of the
Framework of Cooperation, Law No. 4067-IX, and other CRSV-related policy and legislative frameworks.
● Capacity-Building and Methodological Support Package: Methodological guidance, technical tools and knowledge products developed and/or delivered to strengthen the capacities of social service providers and other relevant stakeholders involved in CRSV prevention and response.
● Strategic Recommendations and Sustainability Framework: A set of analytical findings and strategic recommendations on strengthening the localization of the FoC Implementation Plan, development of state standards on psychosocial support, enhancement of survivor-centred service provision and referral pathways, and improvement of coordinated CRSV prevention and response mechanisms at national and subnational levels, including in partnership with the GBV Workstream, 1325 Coalitions, UN field teams and other relevant stakeholders.:

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, social science, international relations, international human rights or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience:
● A minimum of 2 years of work experience in fields of human rights and gender equality, GBV or related fields is required.
● Knowledge of and experience in global and domestic CRSV response frameworks and Women, Peace and Security agenda is a strong asset.
● Experience in inter-agency coordination with government entities, the UN system, or comparable international organisations is an asset.
● Demonstrated experience in successfully undertaking similar assignments is highly desirable.
● Demonstrated experience in facilitating cooperation among governmental, multilateral, and non-governmental organisations, including UN agencies.
● Strong skills in managing internal and external communications.
● Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess policy frameworks, identify gaps, and formulate evidence-based recommendations.

Languages:

● Fluency in Ukrainian (oral and written) and working-level proficiency in English (oral and written).

Duration and working schedule:

● Start date: 01 August 2026 (tentatively)
● End date: 31 December 2026

Place where services are to be delivered: Kyiv, Ukraine, with a hybrid work modality (in-person and online)

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered: Delivery will be tracked through a progress reporting mechanism on a monthly basis. Reports should be accompanied by developed/reviewed documents or any other deliverables within the agreed scope of work.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline: Daily work monitoring will be done by the Hosting Entity, the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, in conjunction with a designated officer within UNFPA. The consultant will submit monthly progress reports, cleared by the hosting entity, to UNFPA, no later than the 10th day of the following month.

Supervisory arrangements: The Consultant will work under daily supervision of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine and a designated focal point on UNFPA side.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable: The Hosting Entity will provide organisational support to the Consultant in communications with the implementing partners, and national and local stakeholders. The Hosting Entity will provide the Consultant with a set of documents related to the scope of analysis and results of the previous research on the topic. Additional services to be provided are subject to agreement with the Hosting Entity and UNFPA.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any: The consultancy fee will be paid on a monthly basis upon acceptance of deliverables. Any remarks, proposals, complaints, or claims to the Consultant regarding services being provided in line with these terms of reference should be submitted to the Consultant in writing within 10 days of submission of consultancy deliverables or any reports by the Consultant. The scope of work to be performed by the consultant under these terms of reference, as well as other conditions of the consultancy could be modified, if required, through a written agreement between the Consultant and UNFPA in consultations with the hosting entity.

You can find the job description in Ukrainian following the link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e8D07Bwz_Sp5VWkQ64LdgDymkpDjtbKO/edit
UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.