How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Purpose of consultancy:
Since the start of the Russian full-scale military invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most complex emergencies. Due to the war, incidents of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly domestic violence and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), including trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation, have drastically increased. On 3 May 2022, Ms. Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Ms. Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, signed a Framework of Cooperation (FoC) between the Government of Ukraine (GoU) and the UN on the Prevention and Response to CRSV that supports the design and delivery of priority interventions in the areas of justice and accountability as a central pillar of deterrence and prevention. The agreement also addresses comprehensive service provision for survivors, including psycho-social support, sexual and reproductive health services, medical and specialized mental health services, legal assistance, livelihood support and rehabilitation.
In conjunction with the government counterparts, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator, UN Country Team, other UN agencies, UNFPA has supported development of the Implementation Plan for the FoC adopted by the GoU in September 2022. Under this plan, UNFPA, co-chairing its service provision pillar, has been committed to closely cooperating with Ukrainian authorities along with other UN entities, international organisations, CSOs (including women-led and survivor networks) and other relevant partners to support national CRSV prevention and response efforts.
As part of the above effort, UNFPA in collaboration with partners developed an interagency project, which is focused on strengthening national and community-based CRSV prevention and response mechanisms in Ukraine through a survivor-centred multi-sectoral approach (short title: “UNited Action to Empower Survivors of CRSV”). Supported by the UN Action Network Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action), it was launched in 2023 for a period of two years and is co-implemented by UNFPA, UN Women, UNODC, WHO, UNDP, and IOM in cooperation with the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy of Ukraine (project’s beneficiary) and the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine to address the gaps, challenges and needs pertinent to CRSV identified jointly with the GoU and civil society.
Generally, alongside other initiatives, the project is aimed at translating into action the tasks within the Implementation Plan for the FoC, which is aligned with the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security” (WPS) for the period until 2025 and other Ukraine’s international commitments. Among the more specific outcomes of this project within UNFPA’s area of responsibility is ensuring that CRSV survivors and at-risk groups are better protected, supported, and benefit from improved, context-specific, comprehensive, and multi-sectoral assistance delivered jointly with the state partners, in particular, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Ukraine.
More details about the project are available at this link: https://ukraine.unfpa.org/en/StopRapeNow_Project_Eng.
To ensure that survivors of violence receive quality, survivor-centred medical assistance, the Ministry of Health initiated the process of amending the Procedure for conducting and documenting the results of medical examinations of persons who have suffered from gender-based violence and providing them with medical care (MoH Order No. 278 of 01.02.2019). Since the beginning of 2025, a group of experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), and the domestic CSO Legal Advisor, joined under the legislative drafting working group, have been providing comprehensive support to the Ministry in implementing this task through both legislative drafting and the development of subject-matter methodological guidelines for healthcare professionals.
To further strengthen the capacity of the health system to respond to cases of CRSV, the revision of the above-mentioned Procedure is also included among the tasks of the Implementation Plan for the Framework of Cooperation between the GoU and the UNs on the Prevention of and Response to CRSV. Therefore, continuous technical support from both the international and national expert community to the Ministry is crucial for improving the mechanisms of the health system’s response to GBV and CRSV and for finalizing the relevant legislation.
Scope of work:
The Consultant will support the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in strengthening regulatory frameworks and mechanisms for the health system’s response to cases of gender-based violence/conflict-related sexual violence) by providing technical assistance and subject-matter expertise, ensuring alignment with the Istanbul Convention, WHO protocols, and other international standards, with a strong emphasis on a survivor-centred approach, the “Do No Harm” principle, and the “Leave No One Behind” commitment.
Main duties and responsibilities include, but may not be limited to the following:
(1) Legislative review, policy drafting, and support for validation and approval processes
● Finalize the revised text of the Ministry of Health (MoH) Order No. 278 “On the approval of the procedure for conducting and documenting the results of medical examinations of survivors of domestic violence or persons likely to have suffered from domestic violence, and for providing them with medical assistance” dd. 01.02.2019. Prepare comparative tables and supporting documentation to facilitate legislative updates, ensuring that the rights of CRSV survivors are fully integrated in this order.
● Facilitate the approval process of legislative amendments by collecting and reviewing feedback from relevant state actors, participating in validation meetings, and preparing updated comparative tables reflecting discussions.
● Provide expert analysis of other Ukrainian laws, policies, and regulatory acts on gender-based violence, domestic violence (DV), and intimate partner violence (IPV), and contribute expert input on their revisions to ensure that the rights of CRSV survivors are properly secured and reflected in compliance with international standards.
● Develop concept and action plan for the Ministry of Health on integrating the CRSV component into the health sector, and participate in discussions with relevant stakeholders.
(2) Working group coordination
● Support legislative working groups focused on strengthening legal frameworks for the protection and support of GBV/DV/CRSV survivors.
● Organize and facilitate meetings, prepare agendas, and draft meeting minutes.
(3) Additional legal contributions to capacity-building
● Contribute to the development and/or review of training programmes and educational materials on GBV/DV/CRSV response for health professionals and GBV responders.
● Provide legal input into the development of other instruments as identified through stakeholder consultations.
The following deliverables are expected:
● Finalized amendments to MoH Order No. 278 dd. 01.02.2019, ensuring integration of CRSV survivors’ rights and alignment with the Istanbul Convention and WHO protocols, submitted for Ministry approval.
● At least 4 stakeholder consultations conducted to review and align the revised text with feedback from the key stakeholders, with meeting protocols/minutes prepared and finalized consolidated, stakeholder-validated draft of the revised MoH Order, reflecting agreed amendments and ensuring alignment with international standards, submitted for MoH consideration.
● At least 6 meetings of the legislative drafting working group organized and facilitated, with minutes documented.
Finalized methodological guidelines for healthcare professionals on documenting and providing assistance to survivors of GBV/DV/CRSV, submitted to the MoH for approval.
Duration and working schedule:
Starting date: 09 October 2025 (tentatively).
End date: 31 December 2025. The contract is expected to conclude on this date, with no extensions foreseen.
Place where services are to be delivered:
Hybrid, partially based in Kyiv, Ukraine, with remote work arrangements
Qualifications and Experience:
● Minimum of two years of professional experience in legal or policy development, preferably in the health, social protection, or human rights sectors.
● Demonstrated experience in drafting or reviewing legislation, policies, or regulatory frameworks, with a focus on health, GBV or related areas.
● Proven background in advocacy and stakeholder engagement, with a strong understanding of the needs and challenges faced by survivors of violence in Ukraine.
● Experience in coordinating with government institutions and engaging in multi-stakeholder processes; prior experience with inter-agency mechanisms within the UN system or comparable international organizations is an asset.
Education:
● Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, public health, social policy, public administration, international relations, or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
● Strong legal and policy analysis, drafting, and advisory skills, including the ability to prepare comparative reviews and recommendations.
● Familiarity with survivor-centred approaches, confidentiality, and international standards (Istanbul Convention, WHO protocols, etc.).
● Skills in facilitating and contributing to working group meetings, and ability to manage consultations with diverse stakeholders.
● Language: Fluency (oral and written) in Ukrainian; working knowledge of English (oral and written) is an asset.
● Excellent computer skills and proficiency in online communication and collaboration tools.
Languages:
Fluency in Ukrainian and English
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
Delivery will be tracked through a progress reporting mechanism on an ongoing basis. Reports should be accompanied by developed/reviewed documents or any other deliverables within the agreed scope of work.
Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:
UNFPA will provide organisational support to the Consultant in communications with the implementing partners, and national and local stakeholders.
UNFPA 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 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.
Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
Embracing cultural diversity,
Embracing change
Core Competencies:
Achieving results,
Being accountable,
Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
Thinking analytically and strategically,
Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
Functional Competencies:
<Functional Competencies>
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 tolerate sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Thus, all selected candidates undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
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.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
