Consultancy: UNICEF Co-Chair individual contractor to the Technical Working Group, Erbil, Iraq (11 months international consultancy)

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Background Following the Government of Iraq (GoI) decision in 2021 to return Iraqis displaced in Al Hol Camp and other places in northeast Syria, GoI has demonstrated a strong leadership in bringing back its citizens. Since May 2021, the Government of Iraq (GoI) has repatriated 3,083 boys, girls, men and women from NES to Jeddah 1 (J1) camp in Iraq (including 975 boys, 904 girls) . Similarly, 203 children have also been transferred from NES to detention facilities in Iraq. Total of 497 Unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) registered in Al Hol Camp in Syria also in the process of being returned to Iraq during this year. Government of Iraq along with other Member States whose citizens are stranded in Al Hol camp are seeking support to develop plans for the return of their nationals with suspected or actual ties to ISIL from Al Hol Camp, backed by sufficient resources and expertise to ensure age and gender responsive, human rights-based policies and procedures. In response, 15 United Nations entities collaboratively developed the Global Framework for United Nations Support on Syria/Iraq Third Country National Returnees (the “Global Framework”), led by a Steering Committee co-chaired by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Through a coordinated “All-of-UN” approach, the Global Framework supports Member States to protect and address the needs of returnee victims affected by the conflict, including women and children.

In Iraq, the Government of Iraq, through the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA), IOM and UNICEF, have established a national coordination mechanism to support the Iraqi returnees through the “Technical Working Group on the Implementation of the Global Framework in Iraq (TWG)” comprised of various Ministries and UN agencies. The inaugural meeting of the TWG was organized at the Office of the National Security Advisor on the 21st August, 2022 in Baghdad, Iraq with commitment to host regular TWG meetings to deliver on the joint plan of GOI-UN response. There are also four taskforces established under the TWG on priority thematic issues which are co-chaired by GOI and UN agencies. The taskforce on Child Legal Protection is co-chaired by MOLSA and UNICEF.

Therefore, UNICEF is seeking an experienced consultant to provide leadership and coordination support on behalf of UNICEF as Co-Chair to the to the Technical Working Group (TWG) together with National Security Advisor (NSA) and IOM. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Operations, UNICEF Iraq, the consultant is expected to actively participate in TWG, coordinate with Ministries and UN agencies, and ensure delivery of key results as per the ToR of the TWG.

Goal / Objective - Programme Group Result/Intermediate Result (PCR/IR) relevance: The consultant will be responsible for providing the coordination role as co-chair to the TWG on behalf of UNICEF Iraq together with NSA and IOM. Under the supervision of Chief of Field Operations, the consultant will represent UNICEF Iraq in the TWG to provide technical and coordination support to organize regular TWG meetings, development of joint GOI-UN framework of action, identify capacity needs and facilitate technical support as needed. The consultant will work closely together with the other two co-chairs NSA and IOM to ensure smooth coordination and implementation of the commitments as agreed by the TWG. The consultant will also support as needed to the Co-Chairs of the Child Legal Taskforce (UNICEF and MOLSA) including other Taskforces to ensure efficient and effective functioning of these Taskforces as part of the TWG coordination support. The consultant will ensure UNICEF’s response is aligned with the Global Framework principles and provisions (under Pillar 1, Development and Recovery) and builds upon the existing GoI systems, and interagency cooperation frameworks that have already been implemented by UN agencies in Iraq to support the return and reintegration of IDPs with perceived or actual ties to ISIL including children, e.g. the Joint Approach and the Technical Coordination Committee (TCC), the TCC Sub-Working Group on the Implementation of the Global Framework in Iraq, as well as broader interagency frameworks that support development and stabilisation, e.g., the IASC Durable Solutions Task Force and Area-Based Coordination Groups (ABCs), under the overarching UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)

Scope of Work: In collaboration with UNICEF Management (Representative and Chief of Field Operations), TWG Co-Chairs-National Security Advisor and the IOM, the consultant will specifically be responsible for: - - Undertake preparations in advance of UN-GoI Technical Working Group (and, where relevant, subgroups and taskforces) meetings, ensuring due consultation with all stakeholders on the agenda, materials, etc. - Convene and facilitate UN-GoI Technical Working Group meetings in close coordination with co-chairs (NSA and IOM), ensuring that minutes and any other outputs are prepared and circulated in a timely manner and that action points are documented and followed up on; - Support the development of UN-GoI strategies, frameworks, and plans through consultative processes which ensure the buy-in of all stakeholders; - Through the working group, and in coordination with relevant colleagues, analyze and raise awareness on international, regional, and national legal frameworks, policies and practices on the Global Framework (particularly on recovery/development pillar), encouraging the uptake of practices which are age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and human-rights, protection compliant. - Through the working group, and in coordination with relevant colleagues, identify GoI capacity-building needs and gaps and promote and track related UN support of the Global Framework with a focus on recovery and development pillar; - Design terms of reference (ToRs) and prepare concept note, proposals to support UNICEF’s response in Jeddah 1, and to address GoI capacity building/technical assistance needs. - Support the establishment of subsidiary bodies and coordination mechanisms and coordinate closely with Taskforce leads to promote coherence and track progress across focus areas; - Provide support to the Child Legal Protection Taskforce co-chaired by GOI and UNICEF as needed. - Under the TCC Sub-group on the Implementation of the Global Framework in Iraq, support the development of One UN Framework of Response in collaboration with Co-Chair UNOCT, and in coordination with UN agencies and office of the DSRG/RC. - Support in organizing UNICEF’s internal meetings on returnees for better organizational communication and coordination across sections including development of UNICEF’s framework of response. - Support development of interactive dashboard on children returnees, includes analysis of data and timely preparation of reports/briefs and other relevant information. - Facilitate additional meetings on an ad hoc basis when and if needed

The following tasks will be performed through out the contract period on a monthly basis: - Undertake preparations in advance of UN-GoI Technical Working Group meeting. - Convene regular TWG meeting (4-6 weeks) - Monitor and Follow-up on Action Points with TWG Co-Chairs and Task Force leads. - Assist Task Force leads with development of joint UN_GOI Workplan and its implementation. - Represent UNICEF in other related NES Returnees coordination forums/meetings etc. - Organize UNICEF’s internal weekly Al Hol Returnee Meetings - Prepare briefing notes, concept notes, proposals for NES Returnees.

The consultant reports directly to Chief of Field Operation with secondary reporting line to the Chief of Child Protection Section

Duration of the assignment: 11 months with a with a possibility for extension, subject to availability of additional funding

Travel: Erbil with the frequent travel to other Governorates in KRI and Federal Iraq

Recruitment qualifications: - Advanced degree in international relations, human rights/humanitarian law, public administration and policy development. First university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree - A minimum of 5 years’ experience with either the UN and/or INGO, especially in emergency settings preferably in Iraq/NES Syria. - Demonstrated experience in coordinating inter-agency forums in drafting policy documents, and leading policy planning, including policy analysis and development is required. - Demonstrated knowledge of human rights, gender and child protection issues and data protection principles. - Previous experience similar assignment with UNICEF, UN or donors is an advantage - Fluency in English is required, Arabic is preferred.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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. Candidates must submit an all-inclusive fee for the assignment. UNICEF will provide travel for the assignment and in-country travel.

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 the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.