Child Protection Consultant to support effective implementation of the UN Action Plans with Armed forces and Armed Groups on Protection of Children Associated with Armed Conflict (6 months)

Looking for National consultant to support effective implementation of the UN Action Plans with Armed forces and Armed Groups on Protection of Children Associated with Armed Conflict.

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, www.unicef.org

Sudan, surrounded by the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Libya and South Sudan, positioned next to East, West, South and North Africa, is surrounded by complex conflicts in an unpredictable, volatile and rapidly evolving region. Sudan is by size the third biggest country in Africa, with a diverse population of around 42 million people. Sudan’s children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives significantly improve: fewer girls and boys are dying before their fifth birthday, primary school attendance is increasing, immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free. Still, millions of children continue to suffer from protracted conflict in Darfur, the Kordofans, and Blue Nile, from seasonal natural disasters, malnutrition and disease outbreaks, and from under-investment in basic social services. More than three million of Sudan’s school aged children are not in the classroom. UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and continues with a presence in 12 of Sudan’s 18 states.

How can you make a difference?

Looking for National consultant to support effective implementation of the UN Action Plans with Armed forces and Armed Groups on Protection of Children Associated with Armed Conflict for 6 months with the Child Protection Section in UNICEF Khartoum with frequent travel to the field locations as needed.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT

The Child Protection Consultant is expected to report to the Child Protection Specialist in Emergencies UNICEF Sudan Khartoum and under the general guidance from the UNICEF Representative and the Chief, Child Protection. The Consultant will support UNICEF Sudan in maintaining dialogue with the Focal Points of the groups to support the advocacy work for the release, transitional care, transitional care, family tracing and reunification of children associated with armed forces and armed groups.

- Support the implementation of Action Plans and commitments to end child recruitment as agreed with parties to conflict listed in the UN Secretary-General's report on children and armed conflict report;

• Provide analysis of challenges and opportunities related to violations against children and implementation of Action Plan processes and provide recommendations to UNICEF Sudan, as directed and guided by UNICEF Representative and UNICEF Sudan Child Protection;
• Support the ongoing verification and reintegration of children processes taking place in the different states in collaboration with the Child Protection in Emergencies in the field;

Maintains regular contact with each of the Focal Points of the parties listed in the UN Secretary-General's report to track progress on implementing commitments in their respective Action Plans and raise awareness among the groups on prevention of recruitment of children in their ranks.

Identification of children among SPLM.N, SLA and JEM and advocacy, release transitional care and family reunification need assessment. Deliverable:  Report of the identification of the children and advocacy, release, transitional care and family reunification need assessment report

Develop a response plan for six months. Deliverable: Based upon the child DDR existing strategies and approaches a costed response plan for six months is available   

Support the ongoing verification and reintegration of children processes taking place in the different states in collaboration with the Child Protection in Emergencies in the field;

Train the Armed to support the identification and verification of children associated with armed forces and armed groups. Deliverable: Report on training of the armed groups on age the identification and verification of Children among the armed groups.  

Participate in verification and transportation of verified girls and boys verified to be associated with armed forces and armed groups to a safe civilian location. Deliverable:  Verification and separation of verified girls and boys to associated with armed forces and armed groups to a safe civilian location report.

Maintains regular contact with each of the Focal Points of the parties listed in the UN Secretary-General's report to track progress on implementing commitments in their respective;

Initiate discussions with the appropriate military and/or political authorities and armed group commanders or militia leaders at the local, national and regional level where necessary to advocate for the release of the children from their ranks; Deliverable:  Trip reports of visits to groups.

Support awareness raising on prevention from separation from families and recruitment: Deliverable:  Report of the awareness raising sessions   

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

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Master's Degree, preferably in international law, human rights, political science, or international affairs. 

Professional/Technical experience:

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian affairs, human rights, child protection, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, reintegration and development, or other related area. Experience on MRM/implementation of the CAAC agenda in the field, preferably in the Middle East is a must, and fluency in English is required, and excellent Computer skills. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity 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:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.