Consultancy: Consultant, Development of a background paper to inform consultations on managing assemblies with children - Human Rights Unit, PG, NYHQ/Remote - Req

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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, hope.

Consultancy Title: Development of a background paper to inform consultations on managing assemblies with children

Section/Division/Duty Station: Human Rights Unit / Programme Group / NYHQ

Duration: 4 – 6 months

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Globally, children (under 18) are exercising their right to peaceful assembly, including to demand social justice and climate action. In some contexts, they do so at great risk to their safety, and even lives. Yet, while general guidance on policing assemblies is available1, it contains only very little guidance on how to protect children taking part in these assemblies. The purpose of the assignment is therefore to start filling in this gap by preparing a paper articulating the various dimensions of policing assemblies with children and suggesting protective measures in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international instruments. The paper will serve as a basis for consultations with experts and lead to guidance2 on the topic. Initial discussions with PG Child Protection, EMOPS, RO and CO have confirmed that such guidance is in high demand. A paper on peaceful assembly developed by the Human Rights Unit was circulated by “PGLT management” to all DRDs for dissemination globally, and feedback from HQ, RO and CO colleagues consistently confirmed that this is a pressing and urgent child rights issue that must be addressed as a matter of priority by UNICEF.

1. See for example, OHCHR Guidance on the use of less-lethal weapons by law enforcement (2020), and the Human Rights Handbook on Policing Assemblies (OSCE/ODIHR, 2016).
2. The exact audience will be defined as part of the consultation.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

The consultant will work in close coordination with the PGLT Human Rights Unit, and in consultation with various UNICEF divisions, sections and offices.

An Advisory group of diverse external experts will be established by UNICEF, including the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (TBC), a member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the UN Inter-Agency Group on Policing, and civil society organizations. The Advisory group will be consulted throughout the process.

The main tasks of the assignment are as follows:

1. Identify and review existing literature and international and regional guidance on managing and policing assemblies, including OHCHR Guidance on the use of less-lethal weapons by law enforcement (2020), and the Human Rights Handbook on Policing Assemblies (OSCE/ODIHR, 2016) in low-middle-high income contexts and including in conflict situations.
2. With the support of, and in coordination with UNICEF Regional, country offices and National Committees, identify good practices at national levels (in law and practice).
3. Prepare an outline of the paper for review by UNICEF and the Advisory group, including a suggestion for the exact target audience for the guidance; and adjust as per comments.
4. Prepare Draft 1 of the paper (1) articulating the various child rights dimensions of policing assemblies with children, including in relation to the identification of children in the assembly; the use of force, the use of weapons, including less-lethal—as well as their child rights implications, in low-middle-high income contexts and including in conflict situations; (2) clarifying the special protections that children are entitled to as per the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international regional human rights instruments; (3) suggesting measures to protect children in assemblies.
5. While preparing Draft 1, conduct interviews (or using other appropriate agreed methodology) with Advisory expert group, as well as children (modality TBC) to collect their specialist assessment and views, including also at this stage other experts identified through the process as relevant, and incorporate.
6. Support the organization of an online consultation meeting, including by identifying participants other than the Advisory expert group (including relevant UNICEF colleagues from across Divisions) and including through preparing the agenda. Play an active role in the meeting by sharing analysis conducted and stimulating structured dialogue.
7. Incorporate comments into Draft 2 and share with the Advisory expert group for review.
8. Incorporate comments into Draft 3 and share with UNICEF for final comments.
9. Incorporate comments and submit final document.

Patterns of discrimination in the context of policing (including gender, racism, LGBTQ, disability, age, poverty, nationality, etc) will be considered throughout the above-mentioned tasks, including in terms of the composition of the Advisory Group.

Qualifications

(1) Education

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences; International Law; International Relations; Political Science, or relevant field.

(2) Work experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of human rights and child rights;
• Up-to-date knowledge of the various aspects, dimensions and implications of children’s rights to peaceful assembly and of their right to protection;
• Up-to-date expertise in crowd management techniques and policing of assemblies;
• Solid understanding of patterns of discrimination in the context of policing;
• Expertise and experience in working/engaging with police/military, and in working in humanitarian/emergency contexts would be an asset;

(3) Competencies

• Experience in facilitating consultation processes with a variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent English writing skills with experience writing technical guidance documents;
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.)

Requirements****:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
• your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.