Applications are now open for the UNICEF Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Expert Consultant 2026 in Italy. This is a paid home-based consultancy opportunity offered by UNICEF for qualified Italian nationals with expertise in mental health, psychosocial support, child protection, and migration systems.
The consultancy role is designed to support UNICEF Italy in improving the quality of mental health and psychosocial support services for migrant and refugee children and adolescents. The consultant will provide technical support, strengthen system-level coordination, assist implementing partners, and help develop practical tools to improve service delivery.
This consultancy is initially offered for 3 months, with the possibility of extension up to 9 months in total, and is based remotely from Italy.
Consultancy Overview
- Organization: UNICEF
- Position: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Expert Consultant
- Location: Italy
- Work Arrangement: Home-Based
- Contract Type: Consultancy
- Initial Duration: 3 months
- Total Duration: Up to 9 months
- Eligible Applicants: Italian Nationals Only
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
About the Consultancy
The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Expert Consultant will support UNICEF Italy in strengthening services for vulnerable migrant and refugee children.
The consultant will help:
- improve the quality of MHPSS service delivery
- strengthen coordination systems at national and territorial levels
- support staff and implementing partners through capacity development
- improve knowledge sharing and technical guidance
- develop tools and practical approaches for better child protection support
This role is especially important for improving psychosocial support services for children affected by migration and displacement.
Responsibilities
The selected consultant will contribute to:
- technical support for MHPSS interventions
- capacity-building activities for UNICEF staff and partners
- development and rollout of training programmes
- coordination of child protection and psychosocial support systems
- strengthening MHPSS approaches for migrant and refugee children
- supporting practical tools for service delivery improvement
The work will focus on enhancing both national and local systems to better support children in vulnerable situations.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this consultancy, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Education
Applicants must have a Master’s degree in one of the following fields:
- psychology
- social work
- education
- or another related field
Experience
Applicants must have:
- at least 7 years of professional experience in mental health and psychosocial support
- experience supporting vulnerable children, including migrant and refugee children
- proven experience in the development and rollout of training programmes
Language Requirements
Candidates must be fluent in:
- Italian
- English
Desired Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates with:
- knowledge of the Italian migration and child protection systems
- previous experience with UNICEF or other UN agencies
- familiarity with the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS)
These qualifications can strengthen an applicant’s competitiveness.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following documents through the UNICEF online recruitment portal:
- updated CV / TMS profile
- cover letter
- financial proposal
- 1 or 2 writing samples
Writing samples must:
- be authored or co-authored by the applicant
-
demonstrate relevant experience in:
- MHPSS
- child protection
- migration and asylum
Applications submitted without writing samples will not be considered.
Why Apply for This UNICEF Consultancy?
This consultancy offers a valuable opportunity to work with UNICEF and contribute to improving the lives of vulnerable children.
Benefits of this consultancy include:
- remote work flexibility
- the chance to support migrant and refugee children
- collaboration with an international humanitarian organization
- professional experience in child protection and mental health
- opportunity to contribute to system-level policy and service improvements
It is an excellent opportunity for professionals seeking to expand their impact in humanitarian and psychosocial support work.
Application Process
Interested applicants must submit their applications online through the official UNICEF recruitment portal.
The application process includes:
- Complete the online TMS profile
- Upload an updated CV
- Submit a cover letter
- Upload a financial proposal
- Attach 1–2 relevant writing samples
- Submit the application before 30 April 2026
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.
Final Thoughts
The UNICEF Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Expert Consultant 2026 is a strong opportunity for experienced professionals in mental health, child protection, and migration support. With flexible home-based work and the opportunity to strengthen psychosocial services for vulnerable children, this consultancy allows professionals to make a meaningful impact through UNICEF.
If you are an experienced MHPSS professional based in Italy, this consultancy could be an important next step in your humanitarian career.
