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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, hope.

Consultancy Title: Migration and Displacement Policy Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Programme Group, Child Protection Section, UNICEF Geneva

Duration: November 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

About UNICEF

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. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. In that regard, the CRC applies to all children in a country, not only of a country. Migrant and displaced children have the same rights, as enshrined in the CRC, as any other child.

Migration is an expanding global reality, increasing in scale and complexity over the past few years. Millions of children are on the move. 1 in 2 refugees in the world is a child. 1 in 3 international migrants is under 30; 1 in 3 identified trafficking victims is a child; and around 3 million children are stateless. Some of these children are driven from their homes by conflict, poverty, or climate change; others leave in the hope of finding a better life. Far too many encounters danger, detention, deprivation and discrimination on their journeys, at destination or upon return.

UNICEF is strongly committed to the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact for Migration and is supporting governments around the world to implement both Compacts. As a part of its portfolio, the Migration and Displacement Hub leads UNICEF’s engagement with the UN Migration Network, an interagency forum established to ensure effective, timely and coordinated system-wide support to Member States. In carrying out its mandate, the Network prioritizes the rights and well-being of migrants and their communities of destination, origin, and transit. It places emphasis on those issues where a common UN system approach would add value and from which results and impact can be readily gauged.

UNICEF is a member of the Executive Committee of the United Nations Network on Migration, which has been established to ensure effective, timely and coordinated system-wide support to Member States to achieve the objectives of the Global Compact for Migration. UNICEF co-leads the Network’s work on Alternatives to Detention and Return and Reintegration and is also a member of the Migration Multi-partner Trust Fund’s Steering Committee. Important progress has been made in these areas of work that UNICEF co-leads, and extra capacity is required to cover the deliverables that will be required on these topics to build on the momentum created with Member States.

Scope of Work:

This consultancy will focus on delivering technical inputs to support UNICEF’s strategic engagement and policy development on issues related to child sensitive GCM and GCR implementation, including UNICEF’s work with the UN Network on Migration, alternatives to immigration detention and return and reintegration workstreams and the UN Trust Fund, while supporting capacity building of UNICEF HQ, Regional and Country office colleagues on these thematic areas.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Provide technical support for UNICEF's engagement with the UN Network on Migration (UNNM) Executive Committee (EC) and related processes, including the UNNM Annual Meeting. Support at least 8 UNNM EC or related meetings, including the May 2025 UNNM Annual Meeting. 8 MTPF meeting agendas and/or position papers drafted, inclusive of UNICEF technical content. Conduct at least 8 consultations to incorporate feedback from UNICEF HQ or Regional focal points in written or verbal format. 2 Briefing Notes developed for UNICEF’s ED or designee.

Deadline: By 31 May 2025

Provide technical support for UNICEF's engagement with the UN Network on Migration (UNNM) Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Steering Committee (SC) and related processes, including preparing inputs for meetings, ensuring follow up and information sharing with relevant regional/technical focal points, reviewing MPTF proposal and providing technical guidance to the MPTF Steering Group, developing briefing notes and guidance for meetings of UNMN Principals. 2 MTPF meeting summary briefs drafted (1 technical level, 1 high-level); Analysis and summary of inputs, suggested revisions, and funding recommendations drafted for 6 proposals submitted to the MPTF SC. 2 Briefing Notes developed for 1 technical and 1 high level meeting of the MPTF SC.  Follow up actions disseminated through 2 consultation calls conducted and 2 emails delivered with technical support content. 

Deadline: By 15 January 2025

Provide technical support to UNICEF’s engagement in the UN Migration Network Workstreams at global and regional levels, with particular focus on two workstreams related to Alternatives to Detention and Return, Readmission and Reintegration workstreams, where UNICEF co-leads. Support engagement with government officials and youth in close coordination with UNICEF global and regional focal points. The 2025 - 2026 Work Plans developed for the 2 workstreams at global level, inclusive of child rights and areas of particular concern for UNICEF. 8 UNMN workstream meeting summaries drafted, with analysis and recommendations for UNICEF’s positioning and decision-making. 4 briefings provided to support UNICEF’s engagement with government officials when relevant, and for youth engagement. UNICEF inputs reflected in concept notes, agendas and reports for 2 events. Follow up actions disseminated through 12 consultation calls conducted and 18 emails delivered with technical support content. Final report written to summarize UNICEF engagement and recommendations for next steps.

Deadline: By 31 July 2025

Provide technical support for 2 peer learning exchange/workshop, organised by the UN Migration Network Workstreams on Alternatives to Detention and Return, Readmission and Reintegration. Technical feedback shared with UNMN Workstream related to the planning of the workshop; UNICEF inputs incorporated into the agenda and concept note. Talking points and presentation developed (and possibly) delivered for 1-2 sessions as a part of the events.

Deadline: By 30 May 2025

Support capacity building for UNICEF related to ending immigration detention of children and other key thematic areas for children on the move, including briefings at the UNICEF Migration and Displacement Task Team; the development and running of at least 1 internal training and at least 1 meeting of the UNICEF Community of Practice on Ending Child Immigration Detention; Revise and update a thematic SharePoint Site on Alternatives to Detention and ensure other knowledge management products are saved and shared.     6 briefings delivered during the Migration and Displacement Task Team; Community of Practice meeting agenda drafted, speakers briefed and invited; Meeting held, facilitated and minutes disseminated; 4 SharePoint site updates completed; Training content developed, agenda/invitation drafted, Training conducted.  

Deadline: By 22 May 2025

Support UNICEF's input into the 2025 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), the 2022 International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF), the ongoing 2nd GCM Regional Reviews and the GCR High-Level Officials Meeting, including UNICEF's support to governments to implement their pledges and make further pledges, and UNICEF's promotion of youth engagement in these processes. 5 analyses and recommendations drafted to guide UNICEF’s positioning with global fora, partner and government engagement; 4 briefings provided to support UNICEF’s engagement with government officials when relevant, and for youth engagement. UNICEF inputs reflected in concept notes, agendas and other documents related to the GFMD and other events/ meetings. Follow up actions disseminated through 8 consultation calls conducted and/or emails delivered with technical support content.         

Deadline: By 15 June 2025

Contribute to analytical briefs, reports, internal and external policy documents, and/or human rights processes related to current trends/critical issues for migrant/refugee/IDP children to ensure that UNICEF’s policy positions are properly articulated and reflected.        Analysis and inputs drafted and incorporated into at least 8 migration/displacement related policy documents (reports, human rights submissions, policy briefs with recommendations and key messages, etc.), including inputs into the next report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants on the phenomenon of missing migrants.

Deadline: By 22 May 2025

Provide technical inputs for the further development and finalization of the Global Policy Matrix for the PROSPECTS Partnership in coordination with UNICEF focal points and partner organizations, informed by the country team’s Policy Matrices and pledges made at the Global Compact for Migration and the Global Forum for Refugees. PROSPECTS Partnership’s Global Policy Matrix finalized, inclusive of UNICEF’s policy priorities.

Deadline:20 December 2024

Provide technical inputs and editorial support for the development of the new UNICEF Advocacy Strategy component of the revised Global Program Framework on children on the move in coordination with MDH and GCA colleagues. Contribute technical inputs into the Advocacy Strategy within requested timeline.        

Deadline: By 28 April 2025

Develop and deliver session plans, with related background notes to be delivered at the Leadership meeting to launch the Global Programme Framework for Children on the Move. Session plans developed, panel talking points and presentation prepared, training delivered, meeting report produced.      

Deadline: 28 February 2025. 

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in the area of Law, Political Science, Economics, Development Management, Human Rights, or related degree. 

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of child rights and migration policy and practice.
• A good understanding of the Global Compact for Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees, as well as multi-stakeholder collaboration to support the implementation of both Compacts.
• Demonstrable track record of prior involvement with the UN Migration Network and GCM/GCR implementation is highly desirable.
• Policy and advocacy experience on issues related to immigration detention and returns and reintegration is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s work on migrant and displaced children is desirable.
• Legal training preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational, planning and analytical skills
• Initiative and high sense of responsibility
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

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. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.