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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, Dignity 

Evidence-based parenting programmes and interventions are a scalable and cost-effective way to support parents and caregivers and prevent abuse, neglect and adversity in childhood. They contribute to good mental health and well-being for children and their caregivers and reduce risk-taking behaviours throughout the life course. Once initial start-up costs have been covered, the cost of delivering parenting interventions per family is roughly comparable to the cost of a routine childhood vaccination programme.

Despite this strong, evidence-based investment case, a WHO survey has estimated that only around 25% of countries globally have established parenting programmes that reach all who need them.  There is therefore growing momentum behind a global Call to Action in support of a collective action framework that urges for increased investment in evidence-based parent support initiatives across the globe.

According to the Global Call for Action , government action for universal provision of such support would comprise a “minimum” or “essential” package for implementation at scale.   It would include a minimum of five to seven in-person sessions delivered at home or through center-based interventions for all parents and caregivers of children under the age of five; and follow-up “booster” sessions when children reach middle childhood and adolescence.  The intensity of such support may vary where families are in particularly challenging circumstances.

In order to promote this Global Call for Action , a three-year programme has been initiated by UNICEF that aims to increase the number of Governments that commit to implement publicly funded parenting support interventions and services.  To support this objective, a draft programmatic framework is in development. The programmatic framework will establish “benchmarks” and define a series of “checkpoints” that will permit the objective of measurement of progress in policy implementation both within countries and allow comparison between countries.  The policy standards aim to establish preconditions to universal parenting support within the country and will reflect core domains addressing issues of legal and policy framework, evidence-based content and delivery modalities, human and financial resources, coordination, and data collection, monitoring and evaluation.

The UAE is one of five countries selected for piloting this framework (Mexico, Serbia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Zambia). The countries are all ‘trailblazer’ countries. The trail blazer countries would seek to create opportunities for scaling and institutionalization of parenting programmes.

Looking ahead, establishing a shared National Parenting Support Vision will be a critical next step. This vision will provide strategic direction and foster a well-coordinated, ecosystem approach, bringing together government entities, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, academia, and faith-based institutions. There is also a need to develop a set of quality guidelines relevant to UAE so that entities at national and sub-national levels engaged in parenting support programmes can make sure that they have a coherent approach.

This consultancy seeks to engage a senior parenting expert to lead the process of developing the national vision and quality guidelines.

How can you make a difference? 

UNICEF together with SCMC will facilitate a very participatory process for developing the national vision and quality guidelines. The Community of Practice, to be established by SCMC, will be instrumental in facilitating involvement of key stakeholders. Apart from key government entities, efforts will be made to involve non-profit organizations, academia, faith-based organizations, and networks of parents and caregivers. There will be a special focus on reaching the most marginalized communities, including northern emirates and the expat and migrant families.

Task 1: Review of the desk review and the stock taking report already available and develop the outline of a national vision document.  

The consultant can draw from a set of resources already created and available in the country to prepare an outline of the National vision.

Deliverable 1:  Finalized methodology and questionnaire adapted to the country context.

Task 2: Bilateral consultations with key entities.

The consultant will meet and obtain inputs from several entities in the country for developing the national vision and quality guidelines. Apart from the SCMC, entities will include the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), the newly created ministry of Family, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and several other emirates level entities, such as the Department of Community Development (DCD) and the Community Development Authority (CDA). Particular attention will be paid to remote emirates of the country. This is, however, only an indicative list and the consultant would take a lead in reaching to other stakeholders, including small Community-Based organizations and associations of parents and care-givers.

Task 3: Organizing a national consultation

The consultant will provide leadership in organizing a national level consultation for developing the national vision and quality guidelines. UNICEF in the UAE will provide all the logistical support.

Task 4: Prepare the first draft of the National vision document

Based on resources available, the bilateral meetings and the national consultation, the consultant will produce a draft of the national vision, which will be shared with all the key stakeholders for feedback and inputs.

Task 5: Finalization of the national vision document

Based on the feedback received from the partners, the consultant will finalize the Vision document for wider sharing among stakeholders.

Task 6: Development of the draft quality guidelines for developing parenting programmes

Using existing resources available, the consultant would develop a document that summarises key quality guidelines, to be shared along with the national vision document. The quality guidelines are meant to support the design and delivery of effective, inclusive, and evidence-informed parenting programmes. They should be practical and easy to use across different settings. It would help the UAE actors in adapting or developing parenting programmes that are more uniform in its approach and are coherent.

Task 7: finalization of the quality guidelines

Based on the feedback received on the draft guidelines, the consultant would finalize the guidelines.

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

• A Master’s in social sciences/social work/development

• At least 10 years of relevant work experience on child rights/wellbeing/protection, in particular on parenting programmes

• Demonstrated experience in conducting assessments, studies, development of policies. • Languages: Arabic (essential), English (essential)

• Familiarity with the middle east/gulf context

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

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. 

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.