Project Officer (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support)

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 2UAED0008TA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Ukraine

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Temporary Appointment

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-AUG-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: 6 months with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

As the lead agency for SDG 4 and a key actor in crisis response and recovery, UNESCO has been supporting the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) since 2022 in addressing the multifaceted impact of war on the national education system – particularly in strengthening the mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) infrastructure in schools. Building on its global mandate to promote inclusive, equitable, and resilient education systems, UNESCO is working with national and local partners to integrate international best practices and EU standards into Ukraine’s education sector, with a focus on trauma-informed learning, crisis readiness, and institutional recovery.

Since 2023, UNESCO has provided direct technical assistance to the MESU in the design and piloting of school-based MHPSS interventions, including:

• A pilot project implemented in 12 communities in Zhytomyr and Odesa regions, aimed at creating safe and supportive environments for learners and teachers.
• Capacity-building programmes for 100 school psychologists, based on self-identified needs, and supported by ongoing professional supervision.
• A nationwide mapping of service gaps and functional limitations of the existing psychological service model.

These efforts have highlighted the urgent need for a system-wide reform of Ukraine’s psychological service in education, aligned with global standards (IASC, WHO, INEE) and responsive to the realities of war, displacement, and chronic stress. Despite significant demand (over 5.6 million MHPSS-related requests in the 2023/24 school year alone), the national system remains constrained by:

• Staff shortages, with only 13,035 psychologists serving across all institutions;
• Limited coordination and standardization of services across levels of governance;
• Lack of practical tools, supervision, and protocols adapted to emergency and post-crisis settings.

Long Description

In response, UNESCO and the MESU have initiated the development of a strategic roadmap for the transformation of the MHPSS system in education. This includes:

• Drafting national policy and regulatory frameworks;
• Adapting international models and tools to the Ukrainian context;
• Designing a multi-level implementation architecture in line with EU and international benchmarks.

The international expert, supported by two national MHPSS officers, and in close collaboration with the MESU, will play a key role in driving this process forward by bringing in global expertise, facilitating national consensus, and ensuring institutional coherence, with the ultimate goal of building a resilient and learner-centred MHPSS system that serves children, teachers, and communities across Ukraine – during the war and beyond.

Long Description

In close collaboration with UNESCO national staff and the MESU technical team and other stakeholders: 

• Provide strategic leadership and technical guidance for the transformation of the national system of psychosocial support in education, leveraging international expertise in mental health systems reform and crisis-responsive policy development.
• Lead the adaptation and integration of global standards, models, and tools for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) within the Ukrainian education system, ensuring relevance to the national recovery context and alignment with humanitarian and development frameworks.
• Coordinate the formulation of national MHPSS policies, including regulatory analysis, needs assessment, stakeholder engagement, and roadmap development in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) and relevant ministries.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral dialogue among key actors – including government institutions, international organizations, civil society, academia, and community representatives – to promote shared ownership and interagency alignment.
• Guide the development and implementation of a comprehensive reform roadmap for the transformation of school-based psychological services, grounded in international evidence, national priorities, and lessons learned from pilot initiatives.
• Provide technical expertise in the design, assessment, and contextualization of MHPSS tools, protocols, and services, ensuring their effectiveness, cultural relevance, and sustainability.

• Lead the drafting of policy briefs, technical guidance, and position papers for national stakeholders, donors, and decision-makers, articulating clear pathways for institutional change.
• Oversee strategic engagement with ministries, parliamentary bodies, and technical working groups, ensuring alignment between national legislation, education reform, and public health policies.
• Represent the reform process in national and international forums, sharing Ukraine’s experience as a case study in integrating mental health into education in the context of recovery and resilience.
• Support advocacy and strategic communications around the reform, including public speaking, media engagement, and development of messaging for partners and the public.
• Provide technical mentoring to project teams, national consultants, and implementing partners to ensure quality, coherence, and alignment across workstreams.
• Perform any other duties as required to support the successful delivery of the reform process.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in psychology, public policy, education, mental health, public administration, or another relevant field of social sciences.

Work Experience

• A least 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience, of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level, in the design, implementation, or coordination of public policy and systems reform in education and mental health sectors or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience in working with government institutions, particularly ministries of education, health, or social policy.
• Proven track record of advising on national policy development, legal frameworks, or institutional transformation, ideally in post-crisis or conflict-affected settings.
• Experience with multilateral organizations, such as UN agencies, international NGOs, or development institutions.

Long Description

Skills and Competencies

• Familiarity with UN/UNESCO’s mandate and programme in Ukraine. 
• Excellent knowledge of global frameworks, standards, and tools related to MHPSS (e.g. IASC, WHO, INEE).
• Strong ability to provide high-level policy advice and to translate international standards into locally relevant recommendations.
• Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder policy processes, including consultation, drafting, and technical validation.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, with experience in preparing policy briefs, strategic notes, or implementation roadmaps.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills; ability to engage effectively with senior officials, donors, and partners.
• Solid organizational and project management skills, with a focus on results, quality assurance, and strategic impact.
• Proficiency in digital tools (Microsoft Office Suite, shared drives, collaboration platforms, etc.).

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Additional certification or postgraduate training in mental health systems, MHPSS, or international policy development.

Work Experience

• Experience in supporting national MHPSS system reform in education, health, or social protection sectors in other countries.
• Experience in capacity building of national stakeholders, including ministries, local governments, and educational institutions.
• Relevant work experience within an international organization/institution and/or the United Nations system, or within multi-agency coordination platforms.

Skills and Competencies

• Familiarity with Ukraine’s education system, decentralization process, and the national recovery context.
• Understanding of the political, cultural, and institutional landscape in Ukraine, especially in the context of ongoing humanitarian response and recovery.

Languages

• Working knowledge of Ukrainian.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 90 152 US $.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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