Child Participation Specialist / Спеціаліст/-ка з питань залучення дітей

SOS Children's Villages Ukraine is a non-governmental charitable organization that began operations in 2003 and works to prevent child abandonment in Ukraine, promote family-based care for children deprived of parental care, and support young people leaving care. The organization is a member of the international federation SOS Children's Villages International (SOS CVI). We operate in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and promote its principles.

We are looking for a committed Child Participation Specialist (f/m) to join our team within the EU co-funded project 'Empowering Children, Parents, Caregivers and Digital Service Providers for a Safe and Responsible Use of Digital Services' (CtrlSAFE).

• Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (hybrid), with in-country travel up to 25% 
• Contract duration: 01/06/2026 – 31/12/2026 (with probation period); likely extension until 31/03/2028 
• Contract type: Full-time employment
• Open to: National candidates

About the Project

The CtrlSAFE project aims to:

• Foster inter-generational dialogue to help children and adults navigate digital technology safely and effectively;
• Empower children and adults to engage with technology safely, confidently and responsibly, and involve children in developing solutions for their online safety and well-being;
• Create safer and more inclusive digital environments.

Main tasks  and responsibilities:

• To take part in regular and ad-hoc internal and external meetings.
• Coordinate with Project Team and Programme staff partially supporting the project from the advisory point of view.
• To provide necessary support in developing project Child Protection & Safeguarding methodology, approaches, tools, guidelines.
• Translation of documents related to the project activities within the scope of responsibility of the position between English-Ukrainian.
• Organize and facilitate in-person National Children’s Digital Advisory Group (NCDAG) aiming at providing feedback on various project activities: including capacity-building activities on digital child protection for children, parents/caregivers and care professionals, engagement of relevant stakeholders (including digital service providers), and national child protection events: 1) support selection of children to the group by coordinating with staff members responsible for other projects SOS Ukraine implements; 2) prepare agenda, materials, logistics for group meetings; 3) facilitate meetings, ensuring achievement of its goals and formalizing results; 4)  ensure interconnection between the group meetings and the work in between; 5) prepare report summarizing the group insights and achievement.
• Support recruitment and guiding of external experts on Digital Child Protection who will deliver digital protection training sessions for children, parents/caregivers and care professionals, ensuring The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and SOS Ukraine policies, guidelines, recommendations and practices: highest Child Protection & Safeguarding standards, best interests of children, ‘Do No Harm’ approach, best practices on group events organized for children, relevance and adoption of materials to children.
• Participate (incl. meaningful contribution the work in between meetings) and prepare NCDAG children to participation in International Children’s Digital Advisory Group (ICDAG) meetings (including 2 in-person meetings in Vienna and Madrid), organized by the Lead Partner – SOS CVI.
• Participate in and support preparation to and participation of NCDAG children in in-person International Forum on children’s rights in the digital environment in Madrid.
• Participate in and support preparation to and participation of children in online National Steering Group (NSG) meetings, contributing to developing and formalizing its results. The group will guide project activities, provide expertise, promote results, coordinate national initiatives, and plan for sustainable development.
• Ensure that programme means of verification for the activities within the position`s responsibility are collected / developed and properly stored, including documentation from training sessions and meetings (invitations, agendas, signed attendance lists, presentations, photos, outputs) and comprehensive narrative reports.
• Ensure that all supporting documents related to the activities within the position`s responsibility are collected and stored.
• Contribute to developing narrative project reports.
• Promote the ethics and values of SOS Ukraine.
• Report on any issues to the line manager.

Requirements:

• A higher education in social sciences, education, law, international development or other related fields.
• A minimum of 1 year’ experience in working for local or international non-governmental organisations in programme roles.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing, facilitating and reporting for in-person and online training sessions and workshops.
• Demonstrated robust knowledge and skills in Child Protection & Safeguarding. Sufficient understanding of the Digital Child Protection area.
• Understanding of child psychology, behaviour change techniques, child participation and gender equality approaches.
• Experience in desk research, communications, and text editing.
• Proficiency in Ukrainian and English (mandatory).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to details and ability to multitask.
• Strong integrity, trustworthiness, and professional accountability.
• A passion for ensuring child protection standards and a genuine drive to learn from others and challenge one`s own beliefs.

We Offer:

• A position within an organization committed to transforming the lives of children and families in Ukraine;
• A diverse and international working environment;
• Full-time employment with salary and benefits in accordance with Ukrainian law;
• A comfortable office with the option to work partially remotely;
• Opportunities for learning and professional development;
• A workplace that embraces human-centered principles.

How to apply: Please send your CV and cover letter as pdfs in English (no more than 2 pages each). 

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This offer is contingent upon pending funding applications for the role.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not receive feedback within two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

SOS Children's Villages Ukraine does everything possible to ensure that in all the activities we carry out, children and young people are safe, their rights are protected and they are treated with dignity and respect. In our activities, we adhere to the principle of zero tolerance for any form of violence against children, neglect of their needs and exploitation. Therefore, our recruitment process involves checking the candidate's background and familiarising them with the standards of child and youth protection. By applying, the candidate confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.