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Consultancy: MRMIMS+ Support Specialist, Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on children and armed conflict -CPS, PD -NYHQ, Requisition# 504657

Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • Accounting (Audit, Controlling)
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Conflict prevention
    • Monitoring and Evaluation
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
  • Closing Date: Closed

 

The MRMIMS+ Support Specialist will develop a comprehensive MRMIMS+ implementation package including user manual and training materials, as well as provide remote and in-country support to the fourteen countries in which the MRM CAAC has been established. The MRMIMS+ will work with UNICEF HQ and UNICEF COs as well as other UN and non-UN members of the UN CTFMRs to build capacity in using the MRMIMS+, as well as building understanding of globally endorsed MRM policies and procedures. The MRMIMS+ Support Specialist will travel to at least seven countries/regions to support implementation of the MRMIMS+, provide trainings on the support materials developed and build capacity on MRM CAAC policies and procedures.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Background & Rationale

Resolution 1612 (2005) of the United Nations Security Council established a Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) to gather ‘timely, accurate and objective information on grave child rights violations in situations of armed conflict’.  During the first decade of its implementation, the MRM has been ‘providing vital information on the unspeakable atrocities [children] have experienced and witnessed.’[1]  In doing so, it has proved to be a key tool in fostering accountability of parties to armed conflict and enhancing their compliance with international law and child protection standards.

In line with its role as the lead UN agency for the protection of child rights, and with its institutional leadership and commitment to the overall CAAC agenda, UNICEF Headquarters provides vital backing to the MRM framework in the form of specialised technical support and policy guidance to UNICEF Country and Regional Offices. This support focuses on the collection and verification of information on grave violations against children, engagement with parties to conflict including for the development of Action Plans to end and prevent grave violations, monitoring of progress towards compliance with international law, prevention and advocacy, and programmatic response to grave violations.

This work includes developing and strengthening the overarching policy and methodological framework of the MRM at the global level, and building ever increasing consistency in the way information on grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict is gathered, analysed, verified and reported across the different Country Task Forces on Monitoring and Reporting. 

In this framework UNICEF, in close coordination with the MRM CAAC Technical Reference Group (comprised of UNICEF, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Office of the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC)), has invested significant technical expertise and resources in the development and finalisation of a standardised MRM CAAC information management system, the MRMIMS+. 

The MRMIMS+, a secure, open source, web browser-based information management system aims to reinforce the methodological coherence of MRM CAAC information collection and consistency of verification procedures across different MRM CAAC countries which further strengthens the overall integrity, credibility and independence of the mechanism.

The finalisation of the MRMIMS+ in 2016 also marked a significant step towards enhancing the safety and security of, and confidentiality for survivors and victims, monitors, sources and partners. The MRMIMS+ has undergone an extensive third party security audit in order to develop rigorous security standards for the protection of information entered into the system.

As of end-2016 the MRMIMS+ has been endorsed as the global MRM CAAC information management system by the HQ MRM CAAC Technical Reference Group, and was ‘live’ in six countries in which the MRM CAAC has been established (CAR, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Philippines, and Somalia).  It is planned that the remaining eight MRM CAAC countries will go ‘live’ as of 1 July 2017 so that as of end-2017 all MRM CAAC countries will be using the MRMIMS+ as the formally endorsed information management system.

While UNICEF will take on the operational responsibilities and liabilities for hosting and administering this platform at HQ and country-level, it is important to note that the information contained within the MRMIMS+ is ‘owned’ by UN Country Task Forces on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) co-chairs. UNICEF’s responsibilities towards supporting implementation of this information platform therefore lie beyond UNICEF and extend to all members, both UN and non-UN, of the CTFMRs.

It is vital that appropriate support is provided to the UN CTFMRs for full, consistent and meaningful implementation of the MRMIMS+ and that a comprehensive implementation support package is developed for CTFMR members to rollout the MRMIMS+.  This implementation support package will be shared for review, input, and endorsement by the MRM CAAC Technical Reference Group before it is shared with the field.

The core element of the MRM CAAC is the information and analysis generated by the monitoring and reporting of grave violations committed by parties to conflict against children in situations of armed conflict. The MRMIMS+ and its successful implementation is a vital step for UNICEF to take towards strengthening the rigour, integrity and transparency of a UN Security Council mechanism designed to enhance accountability of parties to conflict for their actions against children during war.

Purpose

The MRMIMS+ Support Specialist will develop a comprehensive MRMIMS+ implementation package including user manual and training materials, as well as provide remote and in-country support to the fourteen countries in which the MRM CAAC has been established. The MRMIMS+ will work with UNICEF HQ and UNICEF COs as well as other UN and non-UN members of the UN CTFMRs to build capacity in using the MRMIMS+, as well as building understanding of globally endorsed MRM policies and procedures. The MRMIMS+ Support Specialist will travel to at least seven countries/regions to support implementation of the MRMIMS+, provide trainings on the support materials developed and build capacity on MRM CAAC policies and procedures.

Expected results: (measurable results)

The MRMIMS+ Support Specialist will:

  1. Develop the MRMIMS+ User Manual for endorsement by the MRM CAAC TRG and rollout to the field.
  2. Develop an MRMIMS+ Training Package.
  3. Hold at least four ‘clinics’ for each of the fourteen CTFMRs in support of MRMIMS+ implementation.
  4. Conduct missions to at least seven countries/regions to provide capacity building and trainings on MRMIMS+ implementation.

Duty Station

This position is home-based, with travel to New York, and field locations (at least 7 countries/regions).

Timeframe 11 months

Start date:  15 May 2017                      

End date: 15 April 2018 

Deliverables

Duration

(Estimated # of Days)

Deadline

Develop draft MRMIMS+ user manual.

32

19 July 2017

Present draft MRMIMS+ user manual to the MRM CAAC Technical Reference Group, and incorporate feedback.

10

 

2 Aug 2017

Present revised MRMIMS+ user manual to the MRM CAAC Technical Reference Group and finalise user manual.

10

 

16 Aug 2017

Develop MRMIMS+ Training Package including written materials, power point presentations and webinars.

21

15 September 2017

Present MRMIMS+ Training Package to the MRM CAAC Technical Reference Group, incorporate feedback and finalise MRMIMS+ Training Package.

12

 

3 October 2017

Remote support in preparation and support of deployment and implementation of MRMIMS+ in fourteen country situations.

30

 

14 Nov 2017

Conduct four remote ‘clinics’ each for fourteen CTFMRs and produce documentation of issues covered and FAQs addressed.

36

 

8 January 2018

Conduct missions to at least 7 countries/regions to provide capacity building and trainings on MRMIMS+ implementation.

60

2 April 2018

Develop and draft best practice and lessons learned document based on remote and field engagement with UN CTFMRs and update MRMIMS+ user manual and training package.

10

 

17 April 2018

Develop system for user-driven support process, and sharing of regular feedback with HQ MRM CAAC and technical support team.

10

5 May 2018

 

total

231

 

Key competences, technical background, and experience required

  • Advanced university degree or equivalent in child protection, conflict studies, human rights, international humanitarian law, or other field related to child protection in emergencies or human and child rights monitoring.
  • At least 5 years of child protection experience, preferably including at least 3 years working specifically on the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on Children and Armed Conflict, experience in managing information management systems, and developing training and capacity building material in relation to human/child rights monitoring.
  • Demonstrated experience in supporting human/child rights monitoring programmes at the country level and experience of working with multiple and inter-agency human rights and humanitarian actors.
  • Demonstrated experience in building knowledge and commitment among technical and management staff in terms of addressing violations committed against children during emergencies.
  • Demonstrated experience developing training materials, and facilitating related trainings and workshops within the international human/child rights sector.
  • Deep understanding of human/child rights monitoring basic principles, best interests of the child, and demonstrated understanding of best practice related to confidentiality, data safety/security and other ethical concerns related to the management and sharing of sensitive data.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills in English. Proficiency in an additional official United Nations language (French, Arabic or Spanish) is an advantage.
  • Excellent computer and multi-media skills, including MS Word, Excel, etc.
  • Excellent understanding of browser-based applications, interfaces, workflows, and role-based access.
  • Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment as well as independently, and the ability to handle requests or issues as they arise.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment.

[1] Statement by UNICEF Executive Director, Mr. Anthony Lake, to the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on children and armed conflict, 2 August 2016.

To view our competency framework, please click here

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

This vacancy is now closed.
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