National Consultant on Child Rights, Belarus

National Consultant on Child Rights, Belarus Type of contract: National individual consultancy Duration: 11,5 months (extendable), full-time, office-based UNICEF Belarus will contract a consultant to support the integrated assistance for families with children with disabilities and children U4, contributing to office priorities in the field of violence against children and de-institutionalization.

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Full Term of Reference is attached below:

 TOR consultancy for CP_Justice_sept 2020 15.09 to adv.pdf.

Belarus is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The implementation of the CRC requires a comprehensive policy and legislative approach and the establishment of various mechanisms for the implementation of child's rights. One of the basic rights, mentioned in CRC is the right to be protected from violence and to live in a family environment.

UNICEF Belarus will contract a consultant to support the integrated assistance for families with children with disabilities and children U4, contributing to office priorities in the field of violence against children and de-institutionalization.

Key Tasks:

Under direct supervision of the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and in close collaboration with other relevant programme section chiefs, the consultant will support UNICEF Country Office in the following:

1. Provide technical expertise to support integrated assistance to families with children with disabilities and children U4 aimed at prevention of institutionalisation and de-institutionalisation:

• Support policy dialogue with key stakeholders to promote the right of the child to live in a supportive family environment at national and regional levels;
• Support child protection section in management of project implementation on prevention of institutionalisation and de-institutionalisation of children U4;
• Contribute to COVID response to address the needs of children in residential care institutions;
• Contribute to awareness raising activities focused at promotion of the right of the child with disability to live in a supportive family environment.

2. Provide technical expertise to protect the right of the child to be protected from all forms of violence

• The consultant will support the office or the CP Officer in building alliances between key government stakeholders, IT companies, and mobile operators on promoting cyber safety for kids;
• Support implementation of child’s local initiative on counteracting bullying and cyber bullying;
• Support activities aimed at raising awareness on bullying and cyber bullying;
• Support the child protection section to strengthen capacity of National Child helpline as a referral pathway with engagement of key stake holders;
• Support development of information materials on cyber safety;

3. Provide technical expertise to CP section:

• Support in preparing programme and donor reports, and other reporting requirements in the office
• Contribute to UNICEF inputs for development of State National programmes and strategic documents and UNICEF’s RWPs with profile ministries
• Contribute to development of project proposals on thematic issues

  DELIVERABLES - TIMELINE:

The work will be reported through monthly progress reports, with tasks agreed ahead of time with the supervisor.  Pending the requirements of the programme section, the consultant will be asked to contribute to the programme strategies and implementation which will result in deliverables such as:

• Providing technical expertise to support office’s programme on integrated assistance to families with children with disabilities and children U4, as well as protection children from all types of violence
• Drafting of concept papers, recommendations, internal strategic documents and action plans
• Written contributions to gap and causality analysis concerning mentioned spheres, draft narrative reports and other project related documents
• Technical support with implementing partners and other partners/stakeholders in designing and implementing project interventions in the child protection sphere
• Technical contributions to varying reports (e.g. donor reports, annual reports), proposals and other strategic documents
• Participation in facilitation of workshops, training sessions, study tours and other key meetings within the child protection programme
• Other deliverables as required.

TIMEFRAME

The consultancy is for a period of 11.5 months. 

LOCATION

The consultancy is office-based, consultant will be working at the UNICEF office during the regular working hours or providing tele-working during COVID period.

QUALIFICATIONS OR SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/ EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

• University degree in social work, law, psychology or sociology

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in key child protection issues such as de-institutionalization, social work, protection from violence, child's rights and related fields at the national and/or international levels.
• Strong knowledge of the national legislation relevant to child protection issues, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international standards on children;
• Profound understanding and knowledge of best practices and intersectoral approaches to DI of children in the region with special focus on children U4 and CWD;
• Experience of facilitation of the national dialogue on formulating an multidisciplinary vision of DI;
• Strong analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills;
• Experience in cooperation and interaction with government bodies, parliamentarians, think-tanks and non-governmental organizations.
• Experience in partnership with international organizations: EU, UN, OHCHR and other.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization;
• Experience in project management is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency both in written and spoken English and Russian.
• Belarusian is an advantage.

 Functional competencies:

• Strong management, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Ability to work in team and meet deadlines;
• Ability to collect, analyze and systematize received information;
• Good report writing skills;
• Strong communication skills (oral and written);
• Results oriented, flexible and problem solving skills;
• Ability to cope with pressure and setbacks;
• Excellent computer skills.

   

  PROCESS FOR APPLICATION

 The interested contractor should submit by September 23, 2020 the following documentation:

1. Technical proposal, CV or UN P-11 form;
2. Financial proposal (with the indication of daily/monthly rates);
3. Work experience.

Criteria for the selection:

1) Relevant experience;

2) Availability to perform the ToR requirements and meet deadlines.

All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality. UNICEF is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants should submit their applications in English on-line by closing date 23 September 2020, 23:55 Minsk time, to be eligible for consideration.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.