Contract Duration 7 Months

Working arrangement: Home Based

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Royal Government of Cambodia has identified the strengthening of the social service workforce as a key priority to improve the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of services provided to vulnerable populations, particularly children, women, persons with disabilities, and other at-risk groups. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY), through the Technical Working Group on Social Service Workforce Development, has been leading efforts to develop a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to guide the professionalization, institutionalization, management, and expansion of the social service workforce in Cambodia. However, the efforts meet some challenges and gaps including the absence of a comprehensive legal framework defining the functions, roles, responsibilities, competencies, and professional standards of social workers, as well as the lack of a formal system for registration, licensing, accreditation, and quality assurance of social service professionals. These gaps undermine the Government’s ability to plan, budget, recruit, develop and retain qualified personnel across sectors such as social affairs, health, education, and justice, and limit the capacity of the social service workforce to deliver services that are rights-based, gender-responsive, disabilityinclusive, and sensitive to the needs of marginalized and at-risk groups In March 2026, with support from UNICEF Cambodia, a high-level delegation from MoSVY and the Ministry of Civil Service conducted a study visit to the Philippines to learn from its long-standing experience in developing and regulating the social service workforce, and its alignment with international and ASEAN standards. The visit enabled the Cambodian delegation to gain detailed understanding of the Philippine legal and institutional framework, including professional regulation mechanisms, licensing and accreditation systems, education and training standards, professional associations, and requirements for the deployment of social workers across sectors and at national and subnational levels. The delegation also observed the importance of strong quality assurance systems, workforce planning, and sustained government investment in professional social work across different sectors such as health, education, and justice. Based on the findings of the visit, the Royal Government of Cambodia identified several priority actions, including: i) revising the draft Royal Decree on the establishment of a Social Service Workforce Board in order to strengthen the legal basis for workforce regulation and deployment across sectors and subnational levels; ii) ensuring alignment of the national framework with international standards and ASEAN good practices; and iii) developing a Prakas (regulations) defining positions, functions, professional standards, roles and responsibilities of social workers, paraprofessionals, and allied workers, as well as establishing a system for licensing, accreditation, and registration. The follow-up to the study visit also creates an important opportunity to promote government-to-government technical cooperation and South-South collaboration within ASEAN, particularly by drawing on the experience of countries in the region that have already established professional social work regulatory systems. Such cooperation is expected to strengthen the quality, relevance, and regional alignment of the Cambodian framework, while fostering longer-term institutional partnerships.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0003717 External ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education: Masters Degree in of work law, social work, social policy or related field of study

Work Experience: At least 8 years of professional experience in drafting and reviewing legal and regulatory frameworks, preferably in the field of social work, social welfare.

Proven experience in developing high-quality legal frameworks and policies related to the TORs, as well as setting social work regulations and standards in the context of ASEAN or in any ASEAN member state (sample of policies, legal documents or similar written products previously developed by the candidate maybe asked during the selection process)

Extensive experience working with Government ministries on social work and welfare system

Demonstrated experience in conducting research and/or monitoring and evaluation activities related to strengthening the social service workforce.

Proven experience working with the United Nations; prior experience with UNICEF is an asset.

Skills Strong technical expertise in social work, social welfare and Government reform

Strong facilitation, training and communication skills including the ability to lead multi-stakeholder consultation and effective

coordinate and integrate feedback into the Royal Decree and Prakas

Language Requirements: English

Desirables

Strong leadership experience within government, academia, or social welfare professional associations is highly desirable

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) TMC0003717 Financial proposal template.docx

Remarks:

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

International Consultant to Support the Royal Government of Cambodia to develop a Royal Decree and a Prakas on social service workforce. Phnom Penh.Cambodia. Inernationals Only.Remote.#594189