Deadline extended: National Individual Child Protection Consultant (outposted to Ministry of Labor and Social Protection; General Objective 2 of National Programme for Child Protection)

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 late February 2022 in the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter Moldova) an emergency response was launched following an intensive flow of refugees from Ukraine caused by the conflict. As of 22 June 2022, over 500,000 refugees arrived from Ukraine through official border crossing points with Ukraine with over 82,000 remaining in the country.

The majority of the refugee population are women (62%) and children (51%) faced with high protection risks while transiting, but also those who remain in the country. Additionally, more efforts are needed to improve the refugee registration and tracking systems, improve the living conditions in Refugee Accomodation Centers (RACs), and strengthen the overall child protection (CP) system which is overstretched and weak, while the provided support is still insufficiently coordinated.

How can you make a difference?

1. Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacities of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to respond to the refugee crisis and to child protection and social services systems, in line with the provisions of the 2022-2026 National Program for Child Protection and the Action Plan.

2. Objectives of the consultancy

Support MLSP to achieve General Objective 2 of the National Program for Child Protection (2022 – 2026) and the Action Plan for its implementation: “Overall objective 2: Adults and children manifest zero tolerance for any form of violence against children.”

3. Details of how the work should be delivered

Specific tasks include:

• Planning the activities, in accordance with the provisions of General Objective 2 of the National Program on Child Protection (NPCP) and its Action Plan for its implementation, as well as based on the coordination with UNICEF and the head of the child protection department at MLSP;
• Coordinate and facilitate information sharing on activities, progress, technical materials, and other communications, including refugee related ones, in support of the General Objective 2 of the NPCP.
• Draft normative acts, collect and analyze relevant data and organize consultations, that fall under the scope of General Objective 2 of the NPCP;
• Finalize draft normative acts based on relevant guidance, inputs, recommendations, and opinions from different MLSP sectors, line ministries, civil society and/or other stakeholders
• Monitor and report on progress against indicators from General Objective 2 of the National Program and the Action Plan for its implementation.
• Working closely with other MLSP consultants supporting the other objectives, and coordinate to leverage each other’s experience, and draw good practices and lessons learned.

4. Work arrangements and official travel involved

Location: The consultant will work within MLPS with the team of the Department of Child Rights Protection and Department of policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation. The Individual Consultant will have to make themselves available online from their own computer with access to internet. UNICEF will not cover any costs incurred by the contractor for setting-up and maintaining a working space outside, in order to perform the tasks of this TOR.

PTO: The Individual Contractor will be entitled to Paid Time Off (PTO) credit at the rate of one-half days (1.5 days) for each full month of service, to be credited on the last calendar day of the month.

Travel: The work will require local travels in order to conduct in-person meetings, consultations and field-monitoring. MLSP will facilitate introductions to key stakeholders

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced academic degree in political science, social policy, economics, law or other relevant studies;
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in the field of child protection, social assistance, or human rights;
• Excellent knowledge on international child rights standards and national policy and regulatory framework, including on emergency;
• Excellent knowledge on the national child protection system, services and stakeholders;
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills;
• Fluency in Romanian and working knowledge of English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

2022_TOR_CPiE Nat Indiv Consultant (MLSP)_General Objective 2 NPCP_VA.pdf

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain following attachments: CV, Cover Letter and Financial Proposal (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.

Financial Offer_template.xlsx

Applications for this assignment must be received no later than: 29 August 2022

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 offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

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.