Consultancy: Senior Child Rights Advisor – Baalbeck-Hermel, Zahle, Lebanon (6 months)

UNICEF is seeking to support the Governors’ Offices in their efforts to support and address the vulnerabilities of children and their families in the different governorates of Lebanon. UNICEF is engaging, through the country office and the field offices, with in-depth discussions with the governors on how to provide support with strategy, equipment and human resources. The senior child rights advisor will coordinate with UNICEF and other agencies to unify efforts   to combat the problems affecting children in the Governorate, in accordance with the Governorate Agenda.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, protection.

As part of the overall collaboration between the Government of Lebanon and UNICEF Country Programme, UNICEF looks forward to strengthen the mutual cooperation in line with the Convention on the Rights of Child, the Global Action for Children and the Sustainable Development Goals, engaging everyone – governments, institutions, corporations, communities, families, and individuals in Lebanon  – to  drive change for every child, especially the most disadvantaged, and  ensure that there is No Lost Generation” in all governorates.

UNICEF is seeking to support the Governors’ Offices in their efforts to support and address the vulnerabilities of children and their families in the different governorates of Lebanon. UNICEF is engaging, through the country office and the field offices, with in-depth discussions with the governors on how to provide support with strategy, equipment and human resources. The senior child rights advisor will coordinate with UNICEF and other agencies to unify efforts   to combat the problems affecting children in the Governorate, in accordance with the Governorate Agenda

Having a complex emergency situation in its borders which has resulted huge displacements and the Republic of Lebanon have received over a million of refugees. These refugees’ stay in the area where majority of the locals are under poverty line and the social services are not up to the mark to serve them. With this challenging situation, the children and women, both the refugees and locals are the first to bear the trauma. To highlight their difficulties and bring their need high on the agenda of the government and humanitarian organization, a unit is planned to be established at governorate level. The advisor in this unit should be from the same governorate and aware about the situation of children and women in its area and is able to effectively promote the rights of the most vulnerable children/ women Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinians with the local authorities.

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Child Rights Advisor to the Governor of Baalbeck-Hermel will coordinate his efforts to address the vulnerabilities of children in the Governorate. There are two key functions, namely:

• Provide strategic advice and drive the Governorate plans to fulfil child rights and address children’s vulnerabilities.
• Act as the coordinator, liaison and information focal point for all key humanitarian and development actors in the Governorate. 

Tasks:

The Senior Child Rights Advisor will undertake the following to accomplish the above functions:

• Keep the Governor updated/informed on key issues regarding children (Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian) living or arriving in the Governorate, by reading reports, providing summaries and briefs to the Governor, and analysing and interpreting the data, and advising the Governor on issues relating to Children and Youth, Education, Child Protection, Health and Nutrition, WASH, and Participation (Inclusiveness); 
• Working closely with colleagues in UNICEF, support the Governor to develop a long-term plan for a Child and Adolescent Friendly Governorate. Implement specific activities as per the plan.
• Coordinate and collaborate with UNICEF team in Zahle on all child related matters, and advise on challenges, opportunities and way forward.
• Engage and liaise with local authorities: Unions of Municipalities, Municipalities, Mokhtars, line ministries, religious leaders, politicians and communities to promote and advocate for the rights of children and facilitate their protection and enhance their participation in activities. As required, assist the Governor in convening meetings, workshops and conferences to discuss the situation of children in the Governorate.
• Maintain regular contacts with and attend meetings of humanitarian and development agencies in the Governorate. Keep up-to-date on the progress, challenges and opportunities to advocate for children’s rights.
• Be the first point of contact for all humanitarian and development agencies seeking support / consultation from / with the Governor and his Governorate.
• Support the Governor in establishing monthly / quarterly meeting structures with the humanitarian and development agencies to identify support areas, discuss challenges and way forward. Take minutes and follow up on key action points.
• Support Governor to set up a coordination structure for all efforts, including implementation, monitoring and reporting on child rights with specific focus on the most vulnerable issues in his Governorate that would include all relevant actors (government entities, municipalities, unions of municipalities, NGOs, UN agencies, donors, etc.)
• Follow up with local authorities and entities on decisions taken by the Governor in regard to children.
• Assist/join the Governor in meetings and events as needed. 

Deliverables 

• Information sheet on child rights highlights to the Governor prepared by the Senior Advisor in collaboration with UNICEF.
• With support from UNICEF, draft a short-term plan for Child Friendly Governorate. Follow up on the implementation of the plan, and report progress on a monthly basis.
• Work with two of the 6 High and Medium Integration Municipalities and develop a plan for child-friendly municipality.
• Coordinate with all humanitarian and development agencies in the Governorate, arrange monthly / quarterly meeting (as per the advice of the Governor), take minutes of meetings and follow up.
• Follow up on progress of initiatives identified by the targeted municipalities and monitor results.
• Meetings of the UNICEF staff, its Visitors, Donors with the Governors and the Mayors on need basis.

Facilitate Governor’s endorsement and engagement in UNCIEF campaigns as needed to increase public awareness.

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

Education:

Masters in social sciences or a related discipline with 3-5 years of fulltime experience or a Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of relevant experience;

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years’ experience working closely with a government ministry or agency, or with government officials on the planning, implementation, monitoring public projects or in coordination with government and non-government actors.
• Experience of working with local institutions, municipalities, preparation and development of plans, monitoring and evaluation.
• Previous experience in child rights programming, or working with the United Nations is a plus 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks using a project management approach in a rapidly changing environment.

• Ability to work at different levels: with Governor, Mayors and Councillors, communities and colleagues from UNICEF/UN agencies and INGOs/NGOs.
• Highly motivated, with strong initiative and good judgement.
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of people.
• He/she must be fluent in English and Arabic.
• Skills in report writing, analytical and concise. Experience of using microsoft word, excel and power point

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

This is a deliverable based assignment which is paid based on deliverables and daily fee. Only submissions with financial proposal (all-inclusive daily fee) will be considered.