International Consultant to provide technical inputs for the Alternative Childcare Directive of the Government of Ethiopia

To provide technical expertise for the consolidation, technical review, organization and structure and edit of the Alternative Childcare Directive of the Government of Ethiopia, which will be a revision and expansion on the 2019 “Directive on Foster Family and Domestic Adoption Service”. The consultant will receive inputs from the drafting sub-groups of the Taskforce established and being coordinated by the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth. He/she will ensure alignment with the international standards on alternative care of children notably the United Nations Guidelines on Alternative Care (2009) and the Handbook Moving Forward: Implementing the ‘Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children’ 2012 and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 18 December 2019 on promotion and protection of the rights of children focusing on children without parental care (A/RES/74/133).

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.

Task of the consultant

• Examine existing national legal and policy frameworks, and the available bylaws, strategic planning documents, etc., which have direct relevance to the operation of the alternative child- care services in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the light of the international standards mentioned above for the purpose of ensuring that the Directive is in line the national and international standards while making required adjustments/revisions in the draft for finalization;
• Review, edit and consolidate the content of the Alternative Child Care Directive developed by the sub-groups on identified areas of alternative care under the Taskforce chaired by MoWCY-Bethany joint team ensuring the Directive meets international standards on child rights, protection and alternative care of children that promote family based and permanent care option and resorting to institutional care only as a measure of last resort and for minimum appropriate period of time for coherence, alignment with best practice, language, and structure;
• Produce final Draft document to MoWCY-Bethany joint team for approval before presenting to the task force as a larger group and MOWCY management for their approval.
• Share final draft with task force members in a presentation either in-person or via Zoom/virtual webinar and solicit feedback and consensus on the draft as the work of the subgroup members, not just the work of the consultant or certain task group members.

Outcome

• Final compiled Alternative Childcare Directive submitted for MoWCY-Bethany joint team that is aligned with the international standards namely standards on alternative care of children notably the United Nations Guidelines on Alternative Care (2009) and the Handbook MOVING FORWARD: Implementing the ‘Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children’ 2012 and the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 18 December 2019 on promotion and protection of the rights of children focusing on children without parental care (A/RES/74/133).  The Directive is then submitted by MOWCY to the Federal Attorney General for finalization.

Management of the Consultancy  

While the consultant will be hired by UNICEF, UNICEF will involve MoWCY and Bethany in selection of the consultant such as reviewing the CVs of the top few candidates.  Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF will supervise the consultant in coordination with MOWCY and Bethany to ensure that the consultant is provided with timely inputs (documents for review, the draft documents from the working groups under the taskforce, timely submission of deliverables by the consultant, quality assurance of the deliverables).

Deliverables and Timeline

Payment Modality:

Payment will be made in two equal installments. The first installment will be paid after the satisfactory delivery of the deliverables 1 and 2 and the second installment will be paid upon satisfactory delivery of the deliverables 3 and 4.

Travel:

The consultant will be required to travel once to Addis Ababa for the purpose of presentation of the Alternative Childcare Framework to the stakeholders for validation. The duration of the travel will not be more than five days (including preparation for the workshop with UNICEF, the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth and Bethany). The travel costs and the DSA shall be part of the quotation for the consultancy and travel will be managed by the consultant. 

Required background and Experience

• Minimum Master’s degree in law, and/or in social work
• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the international level in Child Protection with particular focus on alternative care of children  
• Experience in drafting laws, directives, guidelines on child protection with particular focus on alternative care of children  
• Excellent writing skills and legal drafting skills
• Demonstrates a high level of proficiency in English (both verbal and written communication)

 Core and functional UNICEF and Humanitarian Competencies:

• Communication (II)
• Working with People (II)
• Drive for Results (II)
• Analyzing (III)

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.