Access to Justice for Children Consultant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all qualified candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

UNICEF supports the Government of Serbia in strengthening the justice and social protection systems through law and policy reforms, influencing policy, building partnerships and capacities of professionals working with children, promoting legal empowerment of children, developing services and interventions for children and families in the local community. Children come in contact with both justice and social welfare systems for many reasons – as offenders, victims or witnesses of crime, or as interested parties in various civil and administrative proceedings. UNICEF works towards the creation of a child-friendly justice system which works in the best interests of the child, where children are protected and participate meaningfully in the processes and decisions involving them. Accessing justice is a powerful way for children to enjoy their rights, protect themselves from violence and exploitation, as well as in combating poverty and exclusion. This is especially relevant for vulnerable children from disadvantaged families and most excluded children such as children from poor families, belonging to minorities, children with disability, children on the move, in detention, from remote rural area or living in residential institutions.

Work Assignment Overview:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical support to UNICEF in advancing the protection of children’s rights by strengthening the implementation of access to justice for children reforms in Serbia, setting up conditions for an effective and enabling environment for child-centred approach, and promoting social inclusion through a range of national, regional and local level interventions.

Duration of the assignment: June – December 2022 (up to70 workdays)

Task description:

1. Provide technical support and assistance in coordination, facilitation and documentation of the Juvenile Justice Council (JJC) activities, including regular meetings and engaging into the policy reforms through submission of initiatives to relevant bodies.
2. Conduct monitoring and supervision of three ongoing partnership agreements between UNICEF and implementing partners (Judicial Academy, NGO ASTRA and Republic Institute for Social Protection) through field-visits, consultative meetings with partners, active participation in trainings/events (as needed) and inputs/review of key products.
3. Provide technical support in drafting and developing new planning and programming concept notes and project proposals; take active part in knowledge-sharing and consultancy meetings and events with national and international actors, including delivering presentations as needed; provide expert inputs to briefing notes/background documents and relevant reports.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Master’s degree (LL.M) in law is required, preferably in international law or international human rights law.
• At least 5 years of work experience in programme formulation, design, management and coordination of child protection and justice for children system projects which include cooperation with national and local level stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of international standards and understanding of national legal and institutional frameworks of relevance for child rights in the Republic of Serbia.
• Professional experience of working with UNICEF or a related intergovernmental organisation is desirable.
• Strong legal analysis and drafting skills.
• Fluency in English and Serbian (written and oral).
• Good communication, analytical, writing and reporting skills.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

• Daily rate (all costs included, e.g. health insurance, pension, usage of mobile phone).

Important notes:

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

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

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.