Zuzana Neupauer
Bratislava
Summary
Experienced MHPSS and child protection specialist with 20+ years of progressive work in mental health, humanitarian aid, public policy, human rights advocacy, and psychological research. Strong leadership background in programme management, MHPSS, GBV, PSEA, and trauma-informed care in both emergency and development contexts. Recognized for interdisciplinary expertise, cross-sector coordination, and stakeholder engagement in both national and international environments (UNICEF, Council of Europe, Open Society Foundation). In recognition of impact and leadership in the field, awarded Mental Health Personality of the Year (2025) in Slovakia.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
MHPSS Specialist – Education & Youth Support
UNICEF ECARO
Geneva
07.2025 - Current
- Designed and implemented a holistic MHPSS program supporting Ukrainian adolescents and youth in Slovakia, with a special focus on NEETs, ensuring access to education.
- Established and managed a dedicated safe space within the One-Stop-Shop model, providing accessible individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and family therapy.
- Developed and facilitated resilience training programs to strengthen emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, enhance academic persistence, and prevent dropout among refugee and displaced students.
- Coordinated caregiver and parental support initiatives, including psychoeducational workshops and peer-support groups.
- Introduced digital and online support resources, complementing in-person services with accessible psychoeducational tools and remote counseling.
- Managed the initiative Coalition of schools, collaborating with school management, teachers, and psychologists to adapt learning environments for children and youth on the move, reducing language and integration barriers.
- Monitored and analyzed youth wellbeing trends: Identified language barriers, Developed interventions targeting dropout risk factors related to mental health struggles.
Child Protection Specialist – Officer in Charge / Mental Health Specialist
UNICEF
Bratislava
08.2024 - 06.2025
- Led the strategic design and implementation of national child protection interventions, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s global frameworks and tailoring programming to meet the needs of vulnerable children, including displaced Ukrainian youth.
- Provided technical leadership on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), with a specific focus on suicide prevention among adolescents—supporting the development of awareness campaigns, school-based interventions, and referral systems for at-risk youth.
- Integrated digital platforms into MHPSS programming to expand reach, promote help-seeking behavior, and provide accessible, youth-friendly mental health resources.
- Oversaw the phase-out and handover of UNICEF-supported initiatives, ensuring sustainability, policy alignment, and a smooth transition to national systems and partners.
- Coordinated multisectoral responses to child protection and MHPSS issues, working with MoLSAF, MoE, MoI, and MoH to ensure a harmonized and rights-based approach across sectors.
- Supervised and coached a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high performance, knowledge sharing, and programmatic excellence.
- Represented UNICEF in national and regional platforms, advocating for child rights and emphasizing the importance of suicide prevention, psychosocial wellbeing, and protective systems in youth development policies.
Child Protection Specialist/Mental Health Specialist
UNICEF
Bratislava
08.2022 - 07.2024
- Provided technical guidance on child protection in emergencies (CPiE), including case management, family tracing and reunification, and child-friendly spaces, ensuring alignment with global standards and interagency protocols.
- Integrated child protection considerations into MHPSS programming, ensuring age-appropriate, trauma-informed, and gender-sensitive approaches across service delivery.
- Led capacity-building initiatives for frontline workers, including social workers, educators, and healthcare professionals, on child safeguarding, psychological first aid (PFA), and structured MHPSS interventions.
- Contributed to the development and rollout of national child protection policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), working in close collaboration with government counterparts and UN/interagency partners.
- Monitored and evaluated child protection and MHPSS programmes, using both quantitative and qualitative tools to inform adaptive programming and strengthen accountability to affected populations.
- Engaged with communities, caregivers, and adolescents to raise awareness on mental health, positive parenting, and child rights, fostering resilience and community-based protective mechanisms.
- Represented UNICEF in interagency coordination mechanisms, including child protection sub-clusters, MHPSS technical working groups, and GBV coordination platforms at national and regional levels.
MHPSS/Child Protection Specialist
UNICEF Armenia Country Office
Yerevan
10.2023 - 12.2023
- Provided technical leadership in the design, coordination, and monitoring of MHPSS interventions across emergency and development settings, ensuring alignment with international standards and UNICEF’s programmatic priorities.
- Led a rapid needs assessment mission in Syunik and other regions, producing actionable, evidence-based recommendations for both immediate and long-term MHPSS strategies.
- Developed and revised partnership agreements with civil society organizations, professional associations, and frontline service providers, enhancing service delivery in MHPSS and Psychological First Aid (PFA).
- Coordinated and monitored implementation of MHPSS-related partnerships, ensuring quality, accountability, and alignment with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children.
- Actively participated in MHPSS sub-working groups, contributing to interagency coordination and providing technical updates to the Child Protection Section, Deputy Representative, and Representative.
- Reviewed, updated, and enhanced training materials, integrating evidence-based approaches and ensuring contextual relevance for diverse professional audiences.
- Delivered capacity-building and refresher trainings for frontline professionals (including social workers, educators, and healthcare staff) on PFA, child-friendly communication, and psychosocial support techniques.
- Engaged in high-level meetings with national authorities and service providers, supporting advocacy for integrated child protection and MHPSS systems and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Regional MHPSS Specialist for ECARO
UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO)
Remote
08.2023 - 11.2023
- Provided timely MHPSS technical support to Country and Regional Offices (COs and RROs).
- Shared best practices and evidence-based MHPSS resources tailored to country-specific needs.
- Reviewed country-level strategies, training materials, and policy briefs.
- Conducted country-level orientations on UNICEF’s regional and global MHPSS approaches.
- Co-facilitated partner trainings on the MHPSS Minimum Services Package (MSP) with HQ-developed tools.
- Managed and developed the ECARO MHPSS SharePoint and resource repository.
- Facilitated monthly regional meetings and maintained active engagement on MHPSS Teams channels.
- Led Communities of Practice on topics including awareness raising and messaging.
- Supported regional and country-specific MHPSS trainings and orientations (e.g., 'I Support My Friends', Child Storytelling Project).
- Coordinated logistics for global training on MHPSS for children and caregivers, including consultant recruitment.
- Supported orientation on Adolescent Toolkit on Expression and Innovation.
- Contributed to CP regional META partnership, co-developing MHPSS messaging with country teams.
- Participated in regional and global UNICEF meetings (CP ECARO, HQ MHPSS, interagency coordination).
- Collaborated cross-sectorally with RO Health section and other stakeholders for MHPSS coordination.
Psychologist & Researcher
Angus – Clinical Psychology Health and Research Center
Slovakia
03.2018 - 07.2022
- Provide clinical psychotherapy, psychological assessments, and forensic testimony.
- Engage in programme development and academic research initiatives.
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant
UNICEF
Geneva
09.2020 - 01.2022
- Led a national research team in Slovakia to map and assess the substitute care system, with a focus on alignment with international standards, including the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
- Coordinated multi-stakeholder engagement processes, facilitating consultations and data collection with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (MoLSAF), municipal authorities, care providers, and civil society organizations.
- Designed and implemented a mixed-methods research approach, combining in-depth qualitative interviews with caregivers and service users with quantitative analysis of national care data.
- S synthesized findings into actionable policy recommendations, contributing to national reform efforts aimed at strengthening family-based care and deinstitutionalization.
- Collaborated closely with UNICEF ECARO and country office teams to ensure strategic alignment and knowledge transfer across the region.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Matej Bel University
Slovakia
07.2020 - 12.2021
- Led Erasmus+ 'Danube' project on adult docility across 5 countries.
- Conducted and published research related to aging of brain
- Lectured courses in adult education and neuroscience.
Deputy Director, Researcher, Human Rights Expert
eduRoma
Slovakia
01.2017 - 08.2021
- Company Overview: eduRoma is a project focused on improving education for Roma communities. Website:
- Designed and conducted research on inclusive education and Roma rights.
- Delivered training sessions and secured project funding.
- EduRoma is a project focused on improving education for Roma communities. Website:
Researcher
Council of Europe
Slovakia
11.2020 - 03.2021
- Conducted in-depth research on inclusive education frameworks in Slovakia, with a focus on identifying systemic barriers and opportunities for enhancing equity in access to quality education for all learners, including Roma children and children with disabilities.
- Designed and implemented a mixed-methods research methodology, combining school-level case studies, stakeholder interviews, and classroom observations with statistical analysis of national education data.
- Developed data collection tools and indicators to assess the implementation of inclusive practices across schools and local education systems.
- Produced evidence-based findings to inform national and local policy dialogue, supporting efforts to advance inclusive education in line with Council of Europe standards and EU frameworks.
- Collaborated with national education authorities and local school staff to validate findings and co-develop recommendations for systemic change.
Psychologist & Crisis Interventionist
Blue Angel Crisis Center
Slovakia
03.2014 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: Blue Angel Crisis Center provides crisis intervention services. Website:
- Provided acute psychological intervention for trauma-affected individuals.
- Blue Angel Crisis Center provides crisis intervention services. Website:
Psychologist & Program Manager
Victim Support Slovakia
Slovakia
01.2015 - 05.2018
- Led operational planning and strategic programme management for victims’ support services.
- Provided quality assurance of mental health services at helplines
- Provided capacity building for the helpline service providers
Program Manager, Human rights
Open Society Foundation
Slovakia
05.2006 - 03.2017
- Managed democracy, human rights, and anti-discrimination grant portfolios.
- Conducted legal and advocacy research, public policy planning, and legislative monitoring.
Assistant, Psychology Department
Touro College
New York
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Assisted with research and academic instruction in educational psychology.
Education
PhD - Educational Neuroscience
Matej Bel University
Slovakia01.2020
MA - Psychology
Comenius University
Slovakia01.2013
Educational Psychology -
Touro College
New York, USA01.2006
MA - Civics & Philosophy
University of Presov
Slovakia01.2005
BA - Psychology
Saint Francis College
New York, USA01.2005
Skills
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
Child Protection & Safeguarding
Research, Policy, and Programme Development
- Technical support, oversight, and advocacy for country and regional MHPSS programmes, including donor-funded interventions and strategic coordination
- Design and implementation of evidence-informed MHPSS models
- Development and dissemination of MHPSS knowledge products, including adolescent suicide campaign, Suicide prevention media toolkits, mental health guides, research reports and MHPSS policy briefs
- Quality assurance, monitoring, and donor reporting in MHPSS
- Mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care
- Capacity building, case management, and referral systems
- Digital MHPSS tools and app-based interventions (How wonderful you are here, suicide prevention Mindfulness social club)
- GBV prevention, child protection (incl PSEA), and inclusive services for children with disabilities
- Stakeholder engagement and inter-agency coordination
- Research, policy analysis, and strategic programme design
Personal Information
- Title: Mgr. et Mgr., PhD
- Nationality: Slovak
Languages
- Slovak, native
- English, fluent
- Czech, fluent
- French, intermediate
Selected publications
- Research on Substance Use Among Teaching and Professional School Staff, Deneš, M., Neupauer, Z., Vaněk, B., Methodological and Pedagogical Center, Bratislava, 12/2021
- The Concept of Docility in Andragogical Counseling, Pavlov, I., Neupauer, Z., Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference Adult Education 2017, Czech Andragogy Society, Prague, 978-80-906894-2-8, 2017
- Neurosciences in Education, Neupauer, Z., Pavlov, I., Proceedings of the International Conference Educational Challenges in Central Europe, Olomouc, 2018
- Reintegration of Hate Violence Victims to Society, Gáborová, L., Neupauer, Z., Acta Technologica Dubnicae, 2013
- Employee Burnout, Gáborová, L., Neupauer, Z., Business Management, 2013
- Violence in Society, Gáborová, L., Neupauer, Z., Ethics in Everyday Life, 06/24/2013
- Public Opinion Poll Regarding the Potential Spreading of Right-Wing Extremist Ideas, Gallová-Kriglerová, E., Kadlečíková, J., Mlynárčiková, V., Neupauer, Z.
- The Right Ones…, Mlynárčiková, V., Gáborová (Neupauer), Z., Right-Wing Extremism Conference Proceedings
- Mental Hygiene, Gáborová, L., Gáborová (Neupauer), Z., University of Prešov
- Humans in a Social Context, Gáborová, L., Gáborová (Neupauer), Z., Technological Institute Dubnica
Projects
MHPSS digital intervention platform How wonderful you are here (UNICEF), 2022-2025 GBV digital intervention platform Love shouldn’t hurt (UNICEF), 2023-2025 Establishment of 80 mental health community-based centers (UNICEF), 2022-2025 Bebbo Parenting App Handover (UNICEF) CEE Trust: Cooperation Among Human Rights NGOs Inclusion in Education (with UK Embassy) Hate Crime Platform & Anti-Extremism Awareness (Open Society)
Research And Project Leadership
- Child Mental Health Status in Data – A Perspective of a Decade (UNICEF), 2025
- Mental health study – system strengthening for enhanced psychosocial support in Slovakia (UNICEF), 2025
- MHPSS implementation for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia (UNICEF), 2023
- Research on Substance Use Among Teaching and Professional School Staff. (Methodological and Pedagogical Center), 2021
- National Substitute Care System Evaluation (UNICEF), 2021-2022
- Inclusive Education in Slovakia (Council of Europe), 2018
- Adult Docility and Neuroscience (Erasmus+ 'DANUBE'), 2017
- Psycho-social reintegration of hate crime victims (Comenius University), 2013
- Public opinion on extremism and discrimination (Open Society Foundation), 2011-2012
Certifications And Specialized Training
- RORSCHACH & Projective Testing (House-Tree-Person, Hand Test)
- CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Certification (Red Cross)
- Gestalt Psychotherapy Training, EAGT-accredited (2016–2022)
Timeline
MHPSS Specialist – Education & Youth Support
UNICEF ECARO
07.2025 - Current
Child Protection Specialist – Officer in Charge / Mental Health Specialist
UNICEF
08.2024 - 06.2025
MHPSS/Child Protection Specialist
UNICEF Armenia Country Office
10.2023 - 12.2023
Regional MHPSS Specialist for ECARO
UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO)
08.2023 - 11.2023
Child Protection Specialist/Mental Health Specialist
UNICEF
08.2022 - 07.2024
Researcher
Council of Europe
11.2020 - 03.2021
Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant
UNICEF
09.2020 - 01.2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
Matej Bel University
07.2020 - 12.2021
Psychologist & Researcher
Angus – Clinical Psychology Health and Research Center
03.2018 - 07.2022
Deputy Director, Researcher, Human Rights Expert
eduRoma
01.2017 - 08.2021
Psychologist & Program Manager
Victim Support Slovakia
01.2015 - 05.2018
Psychologist & Crisis Interventionist
Blue Angel Crisis Center
03.2014 - 12.2019
Program Manager, Human rights
Open Society Foundation
05.2006 - 03.2017
Assistant, Psychology Department
Touro College
01.2005 - 01.2006
PhD - Educational Neuroscience
Matej Bel University
MA - Psychology
Comenius University
Educational Psychology -
Touro College
MA - Civics & Philosophy
University of Presov
BA - Psychology
Saint Francis College
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