Home-based: Violence Prevention Specialist Pledge Monitoring and Advocacy

1. Purpose of Consultancy:    

The consultant will support WHO’s advocacy and accountability efforts to end violence against children by monitoring and advancing country pledges made through the Global Ministerial Conference process, coordinating partner and donor engagement, supporting implementation and reporting systems, and contributing to preparations for the 2nd Global Ministerial Conference in Manila in November 2026. The consultancy will also help strengthen policy dialogue, resource mobilization, and global advocacy on priority issues, including parenting support and prevention of online violence against children. 

2. Background:   

The WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention works to address the social, physical, and economic conditions that shape health outcomes globally. Within this department, the Violence Prevention Unit (PVL) focuses on preventing interpersonal violence in all its forms, with a strong emphasis on protecting children. The unit provides strategic leadership, develops evidence-based norms and standards, builds national capacities, and fosters global advocacy to reduce violence. It also engages partners worldwide to scale up effective action, notably through the Global Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children.  

Following the successful Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children held in Bogotá, Colombia, in November 2024 - attended by 1,400 delegates from 130 countries, including 80 ministers - significant progress was achieved throughout 2025. A total of 395 concrete commitments were submitted, with 109 official member state pledged, all documented and made publicly accessible on the official Conference website. National pledges were closely monitored, with technical support provided to ensure effective implementation, while political cycles were analysed to assess readiness for advancing child protection agendas. Key process moments were supported, including the launch of national action plans, regional conferences, and public forums, with outcomes comprehensively documented. Donors were strategically engaged and integrated into planning processes, strengthening resource mobilization and policy development. WHO participation in global, regional, and national initiatives raised awareness, stimulated leadership commitment, and elevated standards of violence prevention efforts. Partners- including governments, UNICEF and WHO Country Offices, and civil society organizations - were mobilized to secure active participation in the 2nd Ministerial Conference planned for Manila in November 2026. Finally, WHO’s violence prevention efforts were facilitated and reinforced, ensuring continuity and impact across all levels of engagement.   

WHO is committed to continuing a high-ambition portfolio on violence against children, augmenting technical leadership and assistance with continued advocacy and accountability efforts. This is intended to support governments in pledge implementation and communication, further develop champions and a community of practice, and build an enabling environment for a second Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children to be held in Manila in November 2026. 

3. Deliverables:

• Develop and disseminate, at global level, pledge guidelines for the 2nd Ministerial Conference, including annual reporting and scope for new pledges; dissemination to government and partners of the guidelines; platform preparation. Expected by: 30 June 2026
• Co-create together with partners and the communication company the conference website, including a new section for the 2nd Ministerial Conference (branding, information, agenda, etc.) and pledge platform. Expected by: 30 July 2026
• Mobilize global partners around parenting and caregiver support and online safety agendas in preparation for the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children. This includes contributing to the development of a substantive outcome for the Conference, mobilizing country commitments in these priority areas, and engaging the technology sector in dialogue and collaboration to strengthen actions on child online safety. Expected by: 30 October 2026
• Contribute to the programme preparation for the 2nd Ministerial Conference by strategically consulting with partners and building a joint agenda; Support the organization of satellite events. Expected by: 15 November 2026
• Mobilize and contribute to partner engagement- including Governments, UNICEF and WHO Country Offices, and CSOs - to secure government participation in the 2nd Ministerial Conference. Expected by: November 2026
• Ensure systematic data analysis and close monitoring of outcomes related to the implementation of national pledges, including tracking progress on priority breakthrough strategies and measures addressing online violence against children. Expected by: 30 November 2026
• Contribute to monitoring the commitments related to the pledges and take necessary action to ensure they receive technical input for optimum implementation. Ongoing
• Engage in key process moments such as launching national action plans, policy dialogues, and regional meetings, with contributions to conference preparations highlighted. Ongoing
• Identify strategic alliances and influence policy development and resource mobilization to facilitate continuation of this work, ensuring alignment with preparations for the 2nd Ministerial Conference and beyond for the continuity of the work. Ongoing
• Strategically engage donors and ensure their integration into planning processes, contributing to resource mobilization for both the parenting project, online violence prevention, and ministerial conference outcomes. Ongoing
• Facilitate WHO violence prevention efforts as necessary, with contributions to the parenting project and ministerial conference preparations recognized as central achievements. Ongoing 

4. Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Languages: 

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: 

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in social policy, human rights, international development or other relevant fields.  

Experience:  

Essential: 

• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in evidence-based programming for the prevention of violence against children. 

Desirable: 

• Experience with X-Mart database; work experience with INSPIRE Package; work experience with parenting and caregiver support programmes.  

Skills/Knowledge:  

Essential:

• Ability to synthesize complex information into easily accessible content for a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail when working to tight deadlines.
• Passion for WHO’s mission to end all forms of violence against children. 

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the UN and/or regional human rights monitoring systems. 

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert): 

Essential: 

• Expert knowledge of English. 

Desirable: 

• Intermediate knowledge of French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic 5. 

Location: Off site: Home-based  

6. Travel:  

• The consultant is expected to travel.    

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded): 

• Remuneration: Pay B and B
• Living expenses: Not applicable for offsite and onsite for insurance purposes 

8. Contract Duration: 

• Expected duration of contract: 7 months: 1 June – 31 December 2026     

How to Apply: 

Please send your CV with a short motivation letter (or in the body of an email) to sabinev@who.int. 

Hiring Focal Point: Sabine Rakotomalala (sabinev@who.int) 

Closing Date: 20 April 2026.