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Consultancy: Migration Advocacy Specialist, AIP/PSE, Geneva (4months)

Geneva

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Communication and Public Information
    • Private Fundraising and Partnerships
  • Closing Date: Closed

Under the supervision of the Domestic Advocacy Manager in the Advocacy and Innovative Partnerships (AIP) Unit, in PSE, the consultant will provide specialized support to National Committees in their advocacy engagement around migrant and refugee children.

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.

Purpose of the Assignment

Millions of children are on the move across international borders – fleeing violence and conflict, disaster or poverty, in pursuit of a better life. In particular, the global number of refugee and migrant children moving alone has reached a record high. At least 300,000 unaccompanied and separated children were recorded in some 80 countries in 2015–2016, up from 66, 000 in 2010–2011.  

Serious gaps in the laws, policies and services meant to protect children on the move leave refugee and migrant children bereft of protection and care.  

With the aim of addressing these gaps, UNICEF has stepped up its work in support of migrant and refugee children in the recent years. In September 2015, a response to the crisis in Europe was set up, including the very active involvement of 8 National Committees(Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Germany, the UK and France). PFP, through the Advocacy and Innovative Partnerships Unit in the PSE Section, has been actively involved in supporting these National Committees in the implementation of their advocacy role.  

In addition to that, a year later (in September 2016), UNICEF launched the Uprooted campaign as part of the integrated way of working promoted through the Cause Framework. Once again, this effort has counted with the support of PFP, including through the appointment of the campaign deputy lead. 

 
Assignment Tasks

Your main responsibilities will include: 

  • In full coordination with the Regional Office for Europe and Eastern Asia, support the advocacy work being undertaken by the 6 National Committees that are based in the six priority countries that are currently considered as part of the response: Greece, Italy, Germany, Slovenia, Austria and Hungary. This includes technical guidance, workplan formulation, guidance and oversight, M&E, bilateral support in reaction to specific events and advocacy opportunities, replying promptly to ad-hoc demands and queries by advocacy staff in National Committees, etc. 

  • Support other National Committees’ involvement in the crisis (i.e. Spain on Ceuta and Melilla, UK on family reunification, France on child protection training of civil society actors, Sweden on issues such as age assessment, family reunification and returns, etc.). 

  • More widely, targeted support to National Committees advocacy plans in implementation of the Uprooted Campaign as needed, with a particular attention to the EU based National Committees, in full coordination with UNICEF’s Brussels Office and the Migration Advocacy Specialist based in New York. 

  • Support PFP’s and National Committees’ participation in the review of the response that will take place during the period of the consultancy, in full coordination with PFP National Committees Relations section. This may include support to and the implementation of the outcomes as part of the 2018 joint planning exercise in key countries.  

  • Lead the implementation of specific initiatives identified as part of the Uprooted Campaign or the response in Europe. 

  • In coordination with the Migration Advocacy Specialist based in New York, support knowledge exchange activities with advocacy staff in National Committees on migration-related issues as needed.  

  • Provide more general advocacy support to National Committees as requested, in particular as part of the process to develop the new Joint Strategic Plans for 2018 and beyond, as well as in the implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework.

  • Depending on the divisional needs, the incumbent might be also asked to provide more generic advocacy support to National Committees, particularly considering the planning period in which the consultancy will take place.  

Working Relationships

You will work closely in support of the advocacy staff from National Committees and in full coordination with the Migration Advocacy Specialist based in New York  and with the other members of the Campaign Team, as well as with the members of the Geneva Cell, PFP National Committees Relations and PFP External Communications for the response to the Migrant and Refugee Crisis in Europe. 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

  • Master degree in politics, public policy, communication, human rights, development studies or related field. 
  • Five years of relevant professional experience, including in the development and implementation of advocacy strategies. 

  • Demonstrable knowledge of migration related fields.

  • Fluency in English is required, communication skills in other European languages is desirable. 

  • Experience in working within the UN, including with UNICEF in particular and in contact with National Committees, is highly desirable.

Duty Station 

The consultancy can be developed from several locations, but the incumbent should spend at least one week a month in Geneva in order to ensure the best coordination with the rest of the PFP team and the Regional Office. You must be available to travel to National Committee countries for a duration up to 2 weeks, sometimes with short notice. 

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.