Contract Duration: 3 months

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, education

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

This consultancy will contribute to ongoing efforts to strengthen child protection systems in humanitarian action by generating evidence, developing a guidance note, and facilitating technical engagement across stakeholders. It will combine qualitative research, technical writing, and strategic convening to produce a technically robust and actionable note, grounded in field realities and informed by diverse expertise.

Scope of Work:

Task one: Conduct qualitative research to better understand the role of governments and civil society organizations in CP systems in humanitarian contexts, and the impact of funding cuts on CP systems in a select number of contexts

• Design research methodology (including tools and sampling approach).
• Conduct key informant interviews and/or focus group discussions (as feasible) with governments and civil society actors at different levels.
• Undertake thematic analysis of findings.
• Produce a summary brief outlining key insights, trends, practical implications, and recommendations/opportunities.

Task two: Develop a technical note on Child Protection Systems Strengthening in Humanitarian Action

• Consult a diverse range of actors, including those in the technical reference group, on system strengthening in humanitarian contexts.
• Develop a technical note highlighting key elements of child protection systems strengthening in humanitarian action, including a measurement framework linked to existing CPS maturity indicators (https://www.unicef.org/documents/child-protection-systems-strengthening).
• Ensure the note is informed by qualitative data, desk review, and context-specific examples.

Task three: Organise and co-chair a technical reference group to provide strategic and technical guidance

• Ensure strong engagement of the technical reference group in shaping structure and content
• Organise and convene two technical reference group meetings (including scheduling and agenda setting)
• Facilitate discussions to gather strategic and technical inputs into the technical note
• Ensure meeting minutes are documented and shared for each session

Task four: Present the technical note to key Alliance stakeholders for input and validation

• Develop a slide deck presenting key elements of the technical note
• Design and lead a strategic workshop at the Annual Meeting for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action
• Facilitate stakeholder reflections and feedback during the workshop
• Produce a written summary of the workshop, including key insights and action points.

How can you make a difference? 

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the Terms of Reference here:   ToR Technical Consultant – Child Protection System Strengthening in Humanitarian Action TMS.pdf

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

Minimum requirements: (Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

• Education: Master’s degree in relevant field, preferably in Social Sciences, social work, public policy, international affairs/studies, or management.
• The individual should be highly proficient in a range of PC/web applications, including but not limited to: MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook.
• Work Experience: 
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in Development/Humanitarian sector (s), ideally at country/field locations.
• Experience in child protection systems strengthening, especially in humanitarian contexts
• At least 5 years of experience in the field of Child Protection;
• Experience in inter-agency coordination is an asset;
• Experience in working in a highly collaborative environment;
• Familiarity with existing networks within the humanitarian and/or development sectors;
• Familiarity with the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action and other fundamental documents related to the CP sector is an asset;
• Competencies:
• A commitment to and aptitude for attention to details
• Ability to work well and punctually under pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a diverse group of people and build consensus;
• Flexible work attitude, with the ability to follow direction and work independently across a virtual work environment;
• Collaborative work style, with strong team-player attitude and ability to identify gaps and to take initiative to fill them;
• Ability and flexibility to operate remotely and across multiple time-zones
• Language Requirements: Strong writing and editing skills in English; Working proficiency in Arabic, French or Spanish is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate Care

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter 
• A separate financial proposal  Financial proposal Consultancy - Child Protection System Strengthening in Humanitarian Action TMS.docx

Remarks:  If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.