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Technical assistance for revision of Tonga’s Adoption laws and policies(Consultancy)

Nuku‘alofa

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Nuku‘alofa
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Human Rights
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
  • Closing Date: Closed

Do you have experience in legal drafting and legislative reform? We would like to hear from you! UNICEF Pacific is seeking the expert services of a qualified consultant to to review Tonga’s practices and legislation on customary and formal adoption, and to assist the Ministry in drafting adequate policies on all aspects of adoption.

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

The purpose of the assignment is to review Tonga’s practices and legislation on customary and formal adoption, and to assist the Ministry in drafting adequate policies on all aspects of adoption.

Assignment Tasks

The Consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Justice, which will take the lead on the review and revision of Adoption policies and related legislation and Treaties.

3.1. Review existing policies supporting the current legislation and practices and explain the 1993 Hague Convention on Adoption and its relevance to Tonga (if any)

Review existing legislation, processes and practices related to customary and formal adoption through desk review of key documents and interviews with key informants such as justice officials, the AG’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Tonga Law Society, adoptive parents, traditional community leaders, etc. In the course of interviews with key informants, discuss relevance of Hague Convention.

3.2  Hold public and private consultations with stakeholders (The Ministry of Justice will arrange a public consultation for stakeholders on the issues)

Hold consultations with key stakeholders: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, AG’s Office, NGO’s, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FBO’s, possibly others, as relevant, with a view to (i) presenting findings of the current policy review of existing legislation, processes and practices; (ii) discussing issues of concerns; (iii) collecting inputs for the drafting of revised legislation; (iv) explaining and discussing the 1993 Hague Convention within the context of Tonga and its adoption policies.

3.3  Draft a policy paper for a new law on Adoption and an accompanying Adoption Bill, which includes reasons for supporting/or not supporting Tonga’s accession to the 1993 Hague Convention

In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and on the basis of inputs collected from the Tonga Supreme Court and during interviews with key informants and consultations with key stakeholders, draft a policy paper and a related Adoption Bill in line with the UN CRC, the UN Guidelines on Alternative Care and the Hague Convention. The Bill should include, inter alia, a clear definition of roles and responsibilities of structures involved in the adoption process and of procedures.

3.4  Develop an advocacy package

The objective of the advocacy strategy and supporting materials is to convince Cabinet and Parliamentarians of the benefits of the draft Adoption Bill for the children and for the country so that they are passed as soon as possible. Supporting materials may include talking points, PowerPoint presentations, Questions & Answers, etc.

3.5  Obtain comments on the revised policies and Bills and on the advocacy package

3.5.1       In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, organise a consultation with key stakeholders (which will include other Government Ministries - Ministry of Internal Affairs, AG’s office, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to present the proposed policies and related draft Adoption Bill and the advocacy package, and collect comments

3.5.2       In collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, NGO’s and FBO’s, conduct community consultations to present the draft Adoption Bill and collect comments

3.6  Finalise the Draft Adoption Bill and the advocacy package

-Incorporate feedback obtained on the proposed new policies and the draft Adoption Bill and finalise it so it is ready for submission to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.

-Finalise the advocacy strategy and supporting materials.

  • -Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on the policies and Bill (including on the Hague Convention 1993) with an explanation of the rationale, and on the advocacy package, and hold a session with the Ministry of Justice that will table the Bill in cabinet to validate the final products.

Expected Deliverable's

Deliverables

Date

First Draft of policies for revised Bills; including recommendations on Tonga’s accession to the 1993 Hague Convention on Adoption

Day 10

First Draft of Advocacy Package

Day 15

PowerPoint presentation of revised policies for revised Bills; including recommendations on Tonga’s accession to the 1993 Hague Convention on Adoption

Day 15

Final Draft of revised Adoption Bill

Day 20

Final Draft of Advocacy Package

Day 25

PowerPoint presentation of revised Adoption Bill and Advocacy Package

Day 25

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

  • Advanced University degree in Law, preferably with specialisation in child rights or child protection

Years of relevant experience

  • Eight years of progressively responsible experience in legal drafting and providing technical assistance to governments in the area of human rights compliant legislative reform, preferably in the area of child rights in general and in particular in the area of Alternative Care
  • Good understanding of child rights and child protection issues in general, and Alternative Care in particular
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and relevant internet and email software
  • Excellent knowledge of English
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Knowledge of Tonga’s culture and language an asset

Competencies of Successful Candidate

  •  Excellent analytical skills
  • Ability to formulate concepts and strategies
  • Planning and organisation
  • Drive for results including ability to meet deadlines
  • Communication skills including team work, facilitation, negotiation and advocacy skills
  • To view our competency framework, please click here

Detailed copy of the Terms of Reference is attachedDownload File External TOR Tonga's Adoption Laws and Policies.docx

TO APPLY: Interested applicants are to include the following documents in their submission:

  • A cover letter describing how you meet each of the requirements listed above (max. 2 pages)
  • A detailed proposal that includes  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.

For any questions or clarifications in relation to the above consultancy please contact us at pacificvacancies@unicef.org. DO NOT forward any applications to this email address as they will not be considered, all applications must be submitted online on the UNICEF Employment page.

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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