Child Protection Expert on Guardianship, Athens, Greece, 6 months, Seconded to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum

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, protection.

In January 2022, the National Strategy for the Protection of unaccompanied minors (UAC) has been published1 aiming to strengthen the response and effectiveness of the child protection system for UAC. As noted in its mission statement, this Strategy aims to improve the situation of the significant numbers of unaccompanied minors present in Greece2 and provide concrete responses to their needs, while fully protecting their rights and safeguarding their best interests.

Among the main priorities under Pillar 1 “Ensuring that all individuals identified as unaccompanied minors shall enjoy enforced protection and a treatment suitable for their age, needs and best interest“ and Goal 2 “Ensuring that minors have their rights and best interests safeguarded”, a specific objective has been included aiming to ensure the representation and guardianship for every unaccompanied minor.

As provided in the Strategy a reform of the guardianship system for unaccompanied minors is deemed necessary. The guardianship model shall guarantee that the State designs, coordinates and monitors the implementation of the institution of guardianship in Greece, while certified partners implement guardianship on the ground adhering to the standards set forth by the State.

On the 22nd of July 2022, the new Law 4960/2022 (A’ 145) on Guardianship and accommodation framework for unaccompanied children has been adopted. This new law, as incorporated in the L. 4939/2022 (A’ 111)3, includes the necessary provisions for the implementation of the new guardianship scheme, which will provide the flexibility to various actors that fulfil specific criteria to provide guardianship services. The main actors to implement the new guardianship scheme are the Public Prosecutor, the Guardian, the authorized Guardian and the Guardianship Board. In the new law, there are several provisions regarding the different terms, the possible actors that can offer the guardianship services, the procedures to appoint a guardian, the content of the guardianship of UAC, the personnel and the institutional actors involved and the monitoring and support of the implementation of the guardianship system.

The Institutional Protection Unit of the SSPUAM, shall develop an operational framework ensuring effective monitoring, support and evaluation of the new guardianship system. In particular, it shall develop the standard operating procedures for the implementation of guardianship, the identification of indicators for the best interest assessment of UAC, the development of guidelines in terms of guardianship implementation and training and the exchange of best practices with other countries.

UNICEF Greece Country Office is seeking an expert to support the Institutional Protection Unit under the Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors to develop the monitoring and operational framework stipulated in the new legal framework on Guardianship.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the Child Protection Officer and the direct supervision of the Ministry of Migration & Asylum, the consultant will provide technical assistance to support the Institutional Protection Unit under the Special Secretary for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors to develop the monitoring and operational framework stipulated in the new legal framework on Guardianship.

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Development of the methodology to inform the process of developing the monitoring framework of guardianship following the provisions of the new Guardianship Law.

1 Roadmap Report outlining a detailed plan on the steps of the development of the monitoring framework

October 2022- November 2022

Development of a monitoring framework to be used by the Institutional Protection Unit, based on the new Guardianship Law provisions and international standards of exercising guardianship with focus on quality care.

1 Monitoring framework following a robust methodology (outlining roles and responsibilities of involved actors under the new guardianship framework, relevant indicators, frequency, information sources, and analytical framework)

October 2022 – March 2023

Development of SOPs, guidelines and monitoring tools that will be used by all involved parties in the new guardianship model (guardian/authorised guardian/coordinator). The monitoring tools to be developed will need to be informed by existing processes and databases.

1 Guidance Note outlining the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to monitor the work of all involved parties in the new guardianship framework, including: regular reporting templates, processes that ensure effective child participation, on-site spot checks and other. The Guidance note will include recommendations to address process and system gaps in terms of data availability.

October 2022 – January 2023

Development of complaints and feedback mechanism(s) that will be used by UAC within the mandate of the Institutional Protection Unit

1 Guidance note outlining effective complaints and feedback mechanisms. Feedback approached should ensure that unaccompanied children can express their views freely, access needed information, obtain answers to questions and raise concerns and/or complaints and those are acted upon.

February – March 2023

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

• • Advanced university degree in social sciences, child protection, project management or other relevant disciplines

  • At least 5 years of professional experience ideally in the field of child protection programming (including protection of unaccompanied and separated minors), refugee and migrant protection, information management, monitoring and evaluation methods.

  • Knowledge and understanding of human rights/child rights (preferably with a focus on refugee and migrant population).

  • Experience in networking and coordination activities including public and civil society stakeholders is a plus.

  • Experience with information management, process mapping and project management is a plus.

  • Excellent communication, facilitation and negotiation skills.

  • Strong analytical and report writing skills.

  • Fluency in Greek and English.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, 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 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:

Candidates are asked to indicate their required all-inclusive fees for the services to be provided. UNICEF Office in Greece applies a standard remuneration scale for Individual Contractors/Consultants providing technical support to Government Institutions and National Authorities, taking into consideration the professional and academic experience of the incumbent, the functions that the consultant is tasked to carry out, as well as the local labor market. The final rate will be negotiated with the candidate upon recommendation by the selection panel.

Payment will be made on a monthly basis, based on agreed deliverables and a submission of progress reports to UNICEF by the consultant, upon approval by the direct supervisor. Monthly progress reports will be brief, produced in English and summarize key activities, achievements and challenges faced during the reporting period, priorities for the next reporting period, highlighting any support needs from or recommendations for UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are invited to:

a. complete their UNICEF profile

b. attach latest CV and Motivation Letter (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.htm))

c. Indicate a monthly fee for the aforementioned deliverables

Equipment

IT Equipment will be provided to the consultant, upon availability, to carry out the deliverables. Interested applicants are expected to have already the necessary IT equipment (lap top, mobile phone).

All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants/ Individual Contractors apply.

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 health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).