CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: Roster of Individual Researchers to conduct studies on child protection related issues in Ghana

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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, a champion

UNICEF is the agency of the United Nations mandated to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs, ensure their protection and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Together with its partners, UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded girls and boys, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Commitments and the Government of Ghana priorities outlined in the Child and Family Welfare Policy, Justice for Children Policy and Gender Policy, the GoG/UNICEF Ghana Child Protection Programme (2018-2022) aims to support the development of an integrated and effective system for the protection of children against all forms of neglect, violence, abuse and exploitation, with focus on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged girls and boys.

The Child Protection (CP) Section of UNICEF Ghana undertakes and commissions research on emerging or current issues of relevance for the protection of children to inform the strategic directions, policies and programmes of UNICEF, Governments and their partners. The CP section explores emerging issues and evidence, identifies research gaps, brings together existing researchers, and supports or undertakes research and data collection to address critical questions and to inform policy dialogue and implementation at country level in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this call is to solicit applications from national researchers who are interested in conducting studies related to child protection in Ghana.

Following the close of this call, an initial screening and short list of candidates will be prepared. A brief discussion or assessment of candidates may be done. Selected candidates will be placed on a pre-approved roster which will remain valid for a period of 24 months, and to be contacted for assignments on their areas of expertise Candidates placed in the roster will be informed.

While placement in the roster does not guarantee a contract during this time, the CP Section of UNICEF Ghana will be able to review and consider your profile, as and when research and studies are commissioned.

Research activities are carried out in six main streams:

(1) Sexual and Gender-based Violence;

(2) Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage;

(3) Child Labour, Worst Forms of Child Labour, Human Trafficking and Slavery;

(4) Children in Conflict and contact with the law;

(5) Violence, Abuse, Custody, Maintenance or Neglect (Online/Offline); and

(6) Children without parental care, Unaccompanied or Separated.

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

• Hold a Masters degree ( PhD is an asset) in a relevant field (e.g. education, international development, public policy, social sciences, law, human rights, gender, etc.);
• At least 8 years of experience, including leading and coordinating qualitative and or quantitative research and studies related to child protection.
• International research experience is an asset.
• Must be Ghanaian national
• Track record in publishing articles on child protection related issues in peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Strong analytical, communication and writing capacity including proficiency in relevant data analysis software (SPSS, Stata, NVivo, Atlas.ti, etc.)
• Experience and proficiency in working independently and in leading and training research teams;
• Experience working with a large variety of cross-sectoral stakeholders including with government;
• Fluency in English – verbal and written

Submission process and required documents:

Apply through the online access provided.

• Applicants should clearly itemize in order of strength, areas of their research expertise choosing from the list above
• Updated CVs
• List of publications related to child protection

Indicative Timelines:

Deadline for Submission of CV and forms

24 June 2021

Request for clarifications via email

1 July 2021

Review of EOI submission, shortlisting and communication to shortlisted researchers.

12 July 2021

Placement in Roster

24 months

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

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.