International Consultant supporting Syria's new Ministry of Sports & Youth on youth policy, partnerships, opportunity mapping, and organizational design, Damascus, Syria, 6 months (remote)

Contract Duration – 6 months

Working arrangement: Remote + On-site with travel

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.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the overall supervision of UNICEF Syria (Adolescent Development and Participation Section) and in close coordination with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the International Consultant will provide strategic, technical, and facilitation support to strengthen youth governance and institutional systems in Syria.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0003968 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Economics, Public Administration, International Development or related field.
• A first-level university degree with additional 2 years of required relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in youth policy/strategy development, public sector reform, and institutional design, including leading multi-stakeholder processes and producing government-endorsed policies or strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy/resource mobilization (fundraising strategies, donor engagement) and in mapping international opportunities for public institutions.
• Experience in the MENA region and working with ministries, UN agencies and development partners is required; prior experience in fragile or crisis-affected contexts is desirable.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Builds and maintains partnership.
• Drive to achieve results for impact.
• Works collaboratively with others.
• Strong facilitation, writing, and communication skills for the development of technical documents is essential.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Arabic and English (both written and verbal) is required.

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):

• Updated curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting qualifications, professional experience, and relevant assignments

• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0003968 Financial proposal template.docx
• A detailed technical proposal including:

• 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.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the assignment objectives, scope, and expected deliverables.
  • Proposed methodology and approach for delivering the assignment, including stakeholder engagement, consultation processes, and validation mechanisms.
  • Detailed workplan and implementation timeline, with key milestones and deliverables.
  • Analysis of potential risks, challenges, and mitigation measures relevant to the assignment and operating context.
  • Description of the consultant's relevant experience in youth policy and strategy development, public sector reform, institutional development, advocacy, resource mobilization, and partnership building.
  • Evidence of successfully delivering similar assignments, including national youth policies, strategies, institutional reforms, or comparable government-led initiatives, particularly in fragile, post-conflict, or transition settings.
  • Two Examples of previously completed relevant work, including references, links, or samples of government-endorsed policies, strategies, or institutional reform processes led by the consultant.
  • Description of experience working in the MENA region and/or other fragile and crisis-affected contexts.
  • Proposed team structure (if applicable), including roles and responsibilities of any supporting personnel or partners.
  • Any additional information the consultant considers relevant to demonstrate their technical capacity and suitability for the assignment.