Consultant on the EU Child Rights Strategy, PPD Brussels

Contract

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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

The UNICEF Office for Relations with EU institutions in Brussels manages UNICEF’s relationship with European Union Institutions (namely the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European External Action Service and the European Parliament) to expand political space for children. This is done through evidence-based policy advocacy, to mobilize and to leverage EU resources for children and for UNICEF, and to provide support and guidance to Country and Regional Offices for the effective management of EU-funded programmes. The Brussels Office coordinates UNICEF’s global interactions with EU institutions effectively, strategically and with a focus on results. Within the UNICEF Office in Brussels, the Advocacy and Policy Section leads on mainstreaming child rights into EU policy and practice, including child participation.

The upcoming EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, under the responsibility of the EU Vice-President for Democracy and Demography Šuica, constitutes a key opportunity to put children’s rights on the highest political agenda of the EU and make them an integral part of EU policies and practices in a holistic and comprehensive way. The new comprehensive strategy should include actions to protect vulnerable children, protect their rights online, foster child friendly justice, and prevent and fight violence. It will also include actions to strengthen the protection of children in migration, and the participation of children in the EU political and democratic life. The strategy will encompass actions relating to both the internal and external dimension of EU policies.

In order to inform the development of the new EU Child Rights Strategy, the European Commission has launched a Public Consultation open until the 8/12 2020 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12454-Delivering-for-children-an-EU-strategy-on-the-rights-of-the-child. This Public Consultation will consist of an on-line process as well as dedicated meetings to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders, including consultations with children both in and outside the EU. UNICEF has committed to contribute to meaningful child participation in the consultation process through child friendly adapted consultations to take place in Oct and November 2020.

The UNICEF Office for Relations with EU institutions in Brussels is coordinating efforts and contributions within UNICEF to ensure that a comprehensive and coherent approach in internal and external policies is reflected in upcoming EU Strategy on Child Rights. We are engaging with UNICEF’s National Committees and UNICEF Country Offices within the EU as well as aiming at engaging with UNICEF Country Offices outside the EU.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is seeking an experienced Consultant who will support our work in coordinating advocacy initiatives towards putting children’s rights high on the political agenda of the EU institutions and EU Member States, with a focus on the upcoming EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.. The overall time dedicated will be up to 40 days with variable intensity in the workload depending on opportunities.

The consultant will advise and work closely with UNICEF Office for Relations with EU institutions in Brussels on the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of an advocacy plan on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, including the coordination and drafting of a UNICEF´s advocacy brief. The consultant will also advise on advocacy initiatives -including drafting briefings- about a) incorporating in the EU agenda new challenges and opportunities for children; b) a child marker that would track and monitor EU investments in children; and c) institutionalise child participation in EU policy making.

The consultancy is at P.4 level (https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SC ).

Expected results and duties:

For all expected results:

• Maintain close collaboration with UNICEF colleagues in Brussels Office working on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child.

1. Strategic advice on the advocacy on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child

Provide advice on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, including a short strategy and work plan for UNICEF, that builds on UNICEF´s unique added value and capacities, to meet UNICEF´s goals.

Duties & Tasks (by mid Nov 2020)

• Review existing UNICEF contributions and documents.
• Map current context, conduct interviews with key internal stakeholders and identify external champions per topic.
• Draft a short advocacy strategy that define relevant objectives and expected results and a work plan for UNICEF’s National Committees and Country Offices in EU Member States as well as a work plan for UNICEF Country Offices outside the EU to present UNICEF recommendations.

2. A short UNICEF briefing contributing to the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child

Coordinate inputs and draft a UNICEF briefing that deepens existing contributions in specific themes and adds value.

Duties & Tasks (by end Nov 2020)

• Review existing UNICEF contributions, including the Joint Briefing Paper https://reliefweb.int/report/world/joint-position-paper-comprehensive-child-rights-strategy
• Draft a UNICEF briefing with key highlights from existing contributions and expertise from UNICEF colleagues on specific themes (climate change, digitalisation, mental health, migration) complementing the overarching Joint Briefing Paper.
• Coordinate clearance process from key stakeholders.

3. Coordinate the implementation of the advocacy plan

Advocacy strategy on the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child is rolled out through at least three National Committees and two Country Offices within the EU and at least three Country Offices outside the EU.

Duties & Tasks (by end January 2021)

• Support National Committees and Country Offices in the EU Member States as well UNICEF Country Offices outside the EU to roll out their advocacy work plan.

4. Advice and coordinate on other opportunities on child rights in the EU agenda

Building on opportunities in the EU Agenda and taking into account UNICEF´s priorities, advice on what and how these could be shaped to further progress on child rights agenda.

Duties & Tasks (by end February 2021)

• Map out current and upcoming opportunities to incorporate in the EU agenda new challenges for children such as digitalisation, climate change, online violence, post COVID recovery.
• Draft an internal briefing on the Child Marker in all EU investments in children
• Identify opportunities to institutionalise child participation in EU policy making.

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

• An advanced university degree in relevant field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional work experience in advocacy in the EU context, with proven success in influencing the EU agenda.
• Expertise on development, human rights, child rights, youth engagement.
• Excellent writing, communication and presentation skills in English and another UN language (working knowledge of French and/or Spanish an asset).
• Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder projects the national or regional level
• Thorough knowledge of the EU institutions and process.
• Familiarity with the work of UNICEF an asset.
• Ability to work independently and under tight deadline.

Other information

Duty station: Flexible

The consultant should work in a European time zone, with a maximum of three trips to Brussels depending on COVID19 restrictions.

Reporting and location: The consultant will report to the Senior Adviser on Policy at UNICEF Office for Relations with EU institutions in Brussels.

Timeframe: Up to 40 working days within the period between the 20 October 2020 and the 28 February 2021.

Fees: Applicants are requested to indicate a daily fee in Euros and the cost of a trip to Brussels of less of 48h.

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.

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.