Home-based Consultancy: Social Mobilizer Consultant-North of Italy (122 Working days), ECARO, O/P Italy

Under the overall supervision of the Youth and Adolescent Development Specialist in Rome, Italy and the technical supervision of the U-Report Manager, in Rome, Italy, the Social Mobilizer is primarily responsible for promoting the U-Report On The Move platform and related tools in reception centres in the North of Italy reaching unaccompanied and separated children, young migrants and refugees.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Protection

Scope of the work:

Italy remains one of the main entry points into Europe for refugees and migrants fleeing conflicts, situations of violence and deprivation both from the Mediterranean and the Balkan route. The continued significant presence of UASC,  24,215 in reception centres, of which 30% in the northern region of Italy as of December 2023, and the growing number of UASC who have turned 18 are a cause for concern. In transit and at destination, UASC and young migrants and refugees continue to face many challenges and many gaps remain in the realization of their rights and in the achievement of full physical and mental well-being. One of the key issues of concern is that they do not feel heard and do not have anybody to talk to. Although they should be adequately informed about the decisions that affect them and their opinion should be taken into account, these do not seem to happen in practice.  

To respond to these challenges, in 2016 UNICEF’s migrant and refugee response in Italy has modelled, piloted, and rolled out U-Report On The Move, an adapted version of U-Report for UASC and young migrants and refugees. With almost 13,000 U-Reporters registered by December 2023, U-Report On The Move in Italy is considered a best practice model within the U-Report community and many of its features are replicated by other On the Move platforms globally. Alongside online promotions via Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, Instagram since 2020 scale up efforts are being boosted by a team of Social Mobilizers responsible for promoting the platform in reception centres hosting unaccompanied and separated children, young migrants and refugees and fostering their engagement and participation. Registration is open to anyone, however given their young age and language abilities, social mobilization is key to scaling up as it enables to engage with young migrants and refugees through workshops, psychosocial activities, interacting and explaining the scope of the digital platform and related tools.  

Key responsibilities include: 

• Promoting the U-Report On The Move platform and related digital tools in reception centres and alternative care (case famiglia, comunita’ educative, gruppi appartamento etc.) reaching unaccompanied and separated children, young migrants, refugees and frontline workers; 
• Planning of social mobilization activities, oversight of day-to-day activities of the social mobilizers team and reporting on results. 

Specifically, the consultant will: 

• Strengthen and expand the network of reception centres and alternative care (case famiglia, gruppi appartamento etc.) for the promotion of U-Report On The Move and related tools;  
• Prepare and co-facilitate mobilization sessions; 
• Regularly track & report on mobilization sessions, registration & engagement of UASC and young migrants and refugees. 

How can you make a difference? 

At the beginning of each month, the consultant will agree on the deliverables and numbers of days to be worked during the month. The consultant will be paid against invoice, detailed e-mails of the activities done as planned on a weekly base and approved workplan for the following month. 

Work location: Home-based in the North of Italy

To apply:

Applicants are invited to: 

1. Complete their UNICEF profile;
2. Submit a financial proposal with a daily fee in EUR. Applications without fees will not be considered.

The Consultant will be responsible for organizing their travel. All travel expenses (tickets, accommodation, public transport, meals) will be reimbursed. The maximum amount for travel overall will be EUR 5,000. Consultants are required to comply with locally applicable security measures, including obtaining security clearance from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) prior to any official travel, including in instances, whereby travel is arranged by the consultant and no Travel Authorization is raised in system. If applicable, the consultant will also need to reserve accommodation in pre-approved hotels/guest houses only, as per local DSS security advisory.

Travel Clause:

• All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/Individual Contractors apply.
• All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF.
• The consultant is responsible for his/her for travel arrangements. The most economic and direct route is authorized.
• Travel costs will be reimbursed after the completion of mission upon submission of the invoice together with the supporting documentation.
• The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSAFE certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.

- Duration: 122 days between March 2024 and December 2024

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• University Degree is desired in social or educational science, international affairs or intercultural communication.
• Relevant professional experience of at least 2 years in youth engagement is required;
• Experience in working with vulnerable groups of youth (e.g., children and adolescents with a migration background or with low socio-economic background, etc.) is required;
• Good computer skills (Office package/Canva) are required;
• Fluency in Italian and English are required;
• Demonstrated social mobilization skills are required;
• Proven ability to present and communicate new projects to a varied audience, including children and adolescents;
• Strong communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Proven ability to work flexibly and independently and deliver quality results against tight deadlines;
• Have a solid understanding on the local context where the activity takes place;
• Language skills any other UN languages, such as French would be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.