Social Services Procurement and Programme Implementation Expert (SPIRIT II)

Host entity: UNICEF Ukraine

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Community development, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Application deadline: 25/11/2026

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is supporting health, nutrition, HIV prevention, education, access to safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict.

Assignment context

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), established in 1946, works to protect children's rights and promote their well-being worldwide. In Ukraine, UNICEF supports national reforms to strengthen child protection, social services and family-based care, particularly for children and families affected by the war.

This UN Volunteer assignment will support SPIRIT II, a UK Government-funded programme aimed at strengthening Ukraine's national system for financing, procuring and delivering quality social services. Building on SPIRIT I, the programme focuses on expanding access to essential services, institutionalizing sustainable government-led procurement mechanisms and supporting Ukraine's Better Care Reform.
UNICEF works in partnership with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity, the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities and the National Social Service to strengthen institutional capacities, national procurement mechanisms and quality assurance.
The National UN Volunteer Expert will support SPIRIT II implementation, coordination and monitoring within UNICEF Ukraine's Child Protection Section, contributing to sustainable and inclusive social service delivery.

Task description

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, the UN Volunteer Expert will support the national-level implementation of the UK-funded SPIRIT II programme, contributing to the institutionalization of sustainable mechanisms for financing, procuring and delivering quality social services for children, families and vulnerable groups in Ukraine.

The UN Volunteer will:

- Support planning, coordination and implementation of SPIRIT II activities related to the national social service procurement mechanism and Small-Scale Grants Programme.
- Provide technical and operational support to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity, the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities and the National Social Service.
- Facilitate coordination with government counterparts, the programme administrator and technical partners, ensuring timely implementation and follow-up on agreed actions.
- Support the review and improvement of national procurement procedures, operational guidelines, costing approaches and monitoring tools.
- Monitor programme implementation, analyse progress against agreed indicators, identify bottlenecks and contribute to programme reporting and recommendations.
- Document lessons learned and promising practices to inform national policy development, institutionalization and sustainability of social service procurement mechanisms.
- Support national technical consultations, coordination meetings, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities.

Skills and experience

- Experience in the implementation and coordination of social protection, social services or child protection programmes, including institutional strengthening and systems development.
- Knowledge of Ukraine's social service system, relevant legislation, public financing and procurement mechanisms, and ongoing social protection and Better Care reforms.
- Experience in working with government institutions, development partners and civil society organizations on policy implementation, programme coordination and capacity building.
- Experience in programme planning, monitoring, results-based management and reporting; familiarity with grant management and social service procurement mechanisms is an asset.
- Experience working with the UN, international development organizations or donor-funded programmes is an advantage.
- Strong analytical, drafting and reporting skills, with the ability to prepare technical documents, policy briefs and recommendations.
- Excellent communication, coordination and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage effectively with national government counterparts and diverse stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Commitment to UNICEF's mandate, children's rights, inclusion and the principles of volunteerism and the United Nations.

Competencies and values

- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
- Works Collaboratively with Others
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships
- Innovates and Embraces Change
- Thinks and Acts Strategically
- Drives to Achieve Impactful Results
- Manages Ambiguity and Complexity
- Accountability
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creativity
- Judgement and decision-making
- Planning and organising
- Self-management

Living conditions

As it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN Volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves.

Entitlements of National UN Volunteer Senior Expert >> USD $ 3,479

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances:
- Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD $ 3,479 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• USD 350 entry lump sum, one-time payment.

Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins at the Commencement of Service and normally ceases on the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.