The assignment aims to strengthen the governance, coordination and operational effectiveness of Italy’s protection system for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) through the mapping and capitalization of existing good practices and interinstitutional coordination mechanisms developed within the juvenile justice system and its interaction with the reception system, with a view to supporting national authorities—particularly the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior—in enhancing the consistency and timeliness of child protection pathways across territories, in line with Law 47/2017 and the implementation priorities stemming from the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and Regulation (EU) 2024/1351.

Working arrangement: Remote with travels

 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.

For every child, justice

How can you make a difference?

The assignment aims to strengthen the governance, coordination and operational effectiveness of Italy’s protection system for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) through the mapping and capitalization of existing good practices and interinstitutional coordination mechanisms developed within the juvenile justice system and its interaction with the reception system, with a view to supporting national authorities—particularly the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior—in enhancing the consistency and timeliness of child protection pathways across territories, in line with Law 47/2017 and the implementation priorities stemming from the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and Regulation (EU) 2024/1351.

The consultant will work under UNICEF supervision and in close coordination with relevant institutional stakeholders, including Juvenile Courts, Prefectures, Municipalities and reception actors, to:
•Conduct a structured desk review and mapping of existing territorial protocols, agreements and interinstitutional coordination mechanisms governing the reception and integrated case management of UASC, with a focus on their degree of formalization, operational implementation and effectiveness;
•Design and implement data collection tools and consolidate findings into a structured database of coordination models and practices across selected locations
•Conduct a targeted set number of targeted interviews with selected Juvenile Court professionals, as a complementary tool to validate the findings emerging from the desk review and to assess how formal procedures translate into practice in terms of referral pathways, timeliness of decisions and continuity of protection measures within the reception system;
•Identify and systematically document replicable good practices and operational gaps affecting interinstitutional cooperation between judicial authorities and reception actors, including Prefectures, Regional Ombudspersons, Police departments, Juvenile prosecutor’s offices, Local Authorities, social and health services and voluntary guardianship systems;
•Provide analytical outputs and evidence-based inputs and recommendations to support the strengthening of territorial governance models and contribute to national dialogue aimed at enhancing coordination and consistency of UASC protection pathways, in line with AMIF priorities, Law 47/2017, the abovementioned Vademecum, and the evolving EU framework.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File TMC0002467 External ToR.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

Minimum requirements: (Qualification/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

Education:

  • Advanced University degree in Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Migration Studies or other relevant disciplines.

Work Experience:

  • At least 6 years of proven professional experience in the field of child protection, migration, asylum and reception systems, with specific exposure to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and other vulnerable groups.
  • At least 6 years of professional experience in justice sector work, public policy, governance, institutional strengthening, research and/or analysis related to migration management and protection systems.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with national and territorial institutions, including ministries, judicial authorities, Prefectures, Local Authorities and/or public administrations, in the framework of coordination and multi-stakeholder processes.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

  • Proven experience in drafting analytical reports, mapping exercises, policy-oriented documentation and operational recommendations.  Applicants are required to submit samples of relevant analytical reports/policy reviews/mapping exercises/operational recommendations. Samples should be authored or co-authored by the applicant or clearly indicate the applicant’s contribution.
  • Strong knowledge of the Italian institutional framework for UASC, including juvenile justice governance, reception systems, guardianship mechanisms and interinstitutional coordination models.
  • Proven knowledge of the Italian and EU policy environment on migration and asylum, including familiarity with AMIF priorities and relevant European developments (including the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum).
  • Familiarity with national guidance tools and operational frameworks supporting UASC protection and reception pathways (e.g. Ministry of Interior Vademecum and coordination protocols).
  • Strong analytical and methodological skills, including demonstrated ability to conduct desk reviews, qualitative data collection (interviews), comparative analysis and systematization of good practices.
  • Excellent drafting skills in producing high-quality technical reports, toolkits and policy-oriented documents.
  • Ability to engage effectively with high-level Italian and EU institutional stakeholders, and to facilitate constructive dialogue across sectors (justice, reception, social services, migration governance).
  • Proven ability to work through networking and partnerships, and to operate in complex multi-stakeholder environments.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in both Italian and English

Desirables:

  • Previous experience working on EU-funded programmes (AMIF/FAMI or similar).
  • At least 3 years of demonstrated experience engaging with Italian central administrations and/or EU institutions in the context of migration, asylum, justice or child protection policies.
  • Prior experience in assignments involving the juvenile justice system and/or institutional coordination mechanisms for UASC case management.

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 Download File TMC0002467 Financial proposal.docx
  • A detailed technical proposal:
    • Applicants are required to submit samples of relevant analytical reports/policy reviews/mapping exercises/operational recommendations. Samples should be authored or co-authored by the applicant or clearly indicate the applicant’s contribution.
      *** APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A SAMPLE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. ***

Remarks:  If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.