Individual National Child Protection Consultant, Janakapur Field Office, Nepal

Consultant Programme & Policy

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, Protection.

The Child Protection program within the UNICEF Nepal Country Programme (2023-2027) aims to establish and enhance a child protection system in Madhesh province. This system will focus on coordination, monitoring, and capacity building of partners to prevent and address all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect, and abuse against children.

Nepal's recent shift to a federal system, decentralizing power to Provinces and Local Levels, presents challenges and opportunities for UNICEF in implementing child protection interventions under the new CP-2023-2027. However, this restructuring has disrupted well-functioning structures at district, local, and community levels, leading to gaps in essential child protection services and gender-based violence (GBV) response.

In Madhesh province, children face various challenges, including child marriage, child labor, trafficking, violence against women and girls, GBV, unnecessary institutionalization, and limited access to child-friendly and gender-sensitive justice, including birth registration. These issues are exacerbated by harmful cultural norms, social practices, and traditional beliefs rooted in patriarchal values and the lack of empowerment of girls.

For example, child marriage rates in Madhesh province are higher than the national average. In this region, 46 percent of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18, compared to the national average of 33 percent. Notably, one-third of these marriages are "self-initiated" (MICS-2019), often affecting girls' education and health and increasing the risk of gender-based violence.

Child labor is another major concern, affecting 1.1 million children aged 5-17 years in Nepal, with a significant proportion in Madhesh province (11.5%, Nepal Child Labor Report-2021). These children are vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, and sexual abuse. Madhesh province faces additional challenges, ranking below the national average on various social development indicators and being prone to natural hazards. Vulnerable groups, including children, women, persons with disabilities, elderly persons, and minorities, face increased risks of exclusion, abuse, and violence, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural hazards.

Birth registration of children is another prominent child protection issue in Madhesh province. The National Census 2021 reported that 23.4% of children under 5 years old were yet to be registered. This situation has deprived thousands of children in the province of exercising their rights and has led to issues such as being out of school, facing early or forced child marriage, and being vulnerable to various forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, early pregnancy, and trafficking. Drowning is another issue reported in Madhesh, causing the loss of children's lives. There is a need to understand this situation properly and motivate provincial and local governments to prevent such losses.

Despite the prevalence of child protection issues in Madhesh province, local and provincial governments have limited human resources. This creates a demand for technical support from UNICEF, which aims to strengthen the child protection system, provide monitoring, and build capacity among government and civil society partners to address child protection challenges. The complex challenges faced by children in Madhesh province require urgent and comprehensive interventions. The need for technical support from a consultant is critical to strengthen the child protection system, enhance coordination, and build the capacity of partners to effectively prevent and respond to child protection issues in the region.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to support UNICEF’s regular and emergency child protection preparedness and response, particularly in terms of technical support planning, coordination, capacity enhancement of partners, monitoring for effective result, knowledge management and outreach to community-based protection issues.

The consultancy contributes to the following outcomes and outputs under UNICEF's current Country Programme-2023-2027:

UNICEF Child Protection Programme Outcome-5-Children and adolescents, especially from the most marginalized and vulnerable communities including those affected by humanitarian situations/climate risk are increasingly empowered to demand and receive services that protect them from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect and harmful practices in all settings.

Output 5.1- Government at national and subnational levels have enhanced capacities to improve the quality, coverage and responsiveness of child protection including civil registration services.

Output 5.2- Social welfare and justice service providers at national and selected subnational levels are equipped with the knowledge, skill and assets to develop and implement quality services to prevent and respond to violence, abuse and exploitation of children and women in physical and online settings.

Output 5.3- Children, and their parents/caregivers have increased capacity to prevent and respond to violence, address discriminatory gender and social norms at home, school, community and in the digital space.

Specific Tasks:

Mapping and updating investments/resource allocations and utilization by Local and Provincial Governments for child protection and GBV:

• Support the Local and Provincial planning process to integrate child protection and GBV agendas into their plans.
• Prepare a template to update the allocation versus utilization by Local and Provincial Governments, enabling evidence-based advocacy for increased fiscal space for child protection and GBV programs.
• Regularly monitor the investments of Local and Provincial Governments on child protection interventions, including expenditures.
• Update the mapping and utilization of investments/resource allocations in Madhesh province.

Documentation and Knowledge Management of Programs:

• Collect information and draft case studies, success stories, lessons learned, and human-interest stories related to child protection and GBV programs, including vulnerability assessments, case management processes, humanitarian cash assistance to vulnerable children, mobilization of child clubs and youths in local-level planning, and Rupantaran for adolescents.

• Provide technical support to develop Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on child protection and GBV issues.

• Support the planning of capacity-building events, including the development of training reference documents and agendas based on identified needs.
• Document and compile key lessons learned and best practices related to child protection and GBV programs in Madhesh province.
• Collect information on drowning with focus on children in Madhesh province to put it forward before the provincial and local governments and protection clusters.
• Analyze birth registration information based on administrative and program data available.

Monitoring the situation of child protection and GBV:

• Prepare quarterly situation updates by coordinating with various sources, including Palikas, Judicial Committees, police, Public Prosecutors, Courts, correction homes, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), community-based mechanisms, and other organizations working on child protection and GBV at local, district, and provincial levels in in Madhesh province.
• Support scaling up and institutionalizing protection monitoring, incident reporting, and vulnerability assessments at provincial and Palika levels.
• Provide support to Palikas for child labor-free declarations and establishment of monitoring mechanisms.
• Monitor the situation of child protection and GBV in Madhesh province.

Assessment of the use of trainings provided under child protection program:

• Monitor the use of trainings and their impact on service delivery standards and practices, and prepare quarterly reports.
• Provide guidance and support to previously trained categories of people through shadow sampling and adaptation of capacity development approaches.
• Support the harmonization of training manuals and tools developed with UNICEF resources within child protection components.
• Support the development of a common approach in capacity development of partners and stakeholders.
• Assess the use of trainings provided under child protection programs in Madhesh province.

Operationalizing case management process and referral pathways:

• Support the mapping of protection actors and services at the local level to provide appropriate services to victims and vulnerable individuals at the provincial and Palika levels.
• Regularly assess the functionality of referral pathways at Palika level, including ensuring updated referral pathways and adapted service promotion in place and action.
• Facilitate case management processes, including information management at Palikas, to respond to survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation and connect them with services.
• Operationalize case management processes and referral pathways in Madhesh province.

Provide technical support for system strengthening work:

• Provide technical support to child rights committees at Palikas and wards (community) levels as part of governance support for system strengthening for prevention and response to child protection issues.
• Support local-level child protection structures and mechanisms, including child protection workforce at Palikas and Wards levels, to plan and budget for the continuity of child protection services for family preservation and life skills support, linking with social protection schemes and skill development trainings.
• Facilitate collaboration with multi-sectoral actors to ensure provision of support to vulnerable and at-risk children.
• Support the development and operationalization of a child protection information management system at the local level (Palika and Wards), including CPIMS and PMIR roll out at Palika level.
• Provide technical support to implement the eCRVS system at ward level.
• Document and compile key lessons learned and best practices on strengthening child protection systems, including attending reviews and planning meetings in various locations as per programmatic needs.

Expected results.

• Local and Provincial Government investments/resource allocations and utilization on child protection and GBV effectively mapped and updated, with child protection and GBV agenda incorporated into local and provincial planning processes, and evidence-based advocacy for fiscal space for child protection and GBV programs facilitated in Madhesh province.
• Comprehensive and well-organized documentation and knowledge management of child protection and GBV-related programs, including case studies, success stories, lessons learned, and human-interest stories, as well as development of IEC materials and technical support for capacity building events, specifically tailored for the contexts of Madhesh province.
• Regular monitoring and situation updates on child protection and GBV in Madhesh province, including quarterly reports on investment of local and provincial governments, scaling up and institutionalization of protection monitoring and vulnerability assessments, and support to Palikas with child labor-free declaration and monitoring mechanisms.
• Assessment of the use of trainings provided under child protection program, including quarterly reports on impact of trainings on service delivery standards and practices in Madhesh province, shadow samples of previously trained individuals for guidance and support, harmonization of training manuals and tools, and development of a common approach in capacity development of partners and stakeholders in Madhesh province. .
• Operationalization of case management process and referral pathways at the local level, including mapping of protection actors and services, assessment of functionality of referral pathways, and facilitation of case management process and information management at Palikas in Madhesh province to respond to survivors of violence, abuse, and exploitation.
• Technical support for system strengthening work, including support to child rights committees at Palikas and wards levels, child protection structures and mechanisms, child protection workforce, collaboration with multi-sectoral actors, development/operationalization of child protection information management system at the local level, and implementation of the eCRVS system at ward level in Madhesh province, as well as documentation and compilation of key lessons learned and best practices.
• Capacity building of partners on child protection and GBV, including implementation of Social and Financial Training Package (RUPANTARAN) at provincial and Palikas levels, facilitation of community police partnership on violence against children, and capacity development at provincial and local levels, including child protection mechanisms, authorities, and stakeholders in Madhesh province.

Task

• Prepare assessment report of drowning of children and birth registration situation
• Conduct analysis of budget allocation and utilization of resources at Palika and provincial level on child protection and GBV programs.
• Prepare quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates
• Conduct assessment of functionality of case management process, information management process, and referral pathways and service provisions at palika and provincial level.
• Prepare quarterly report submitted on the use of vulnerable assessment tools for evidence generation for providing appropriate services to left- behind children, including linkage of government social protection schemes
• Prepare quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates.
• Involve in child protection system strengthening focusing on mapping of policies, social workforce (child welfare officers)
• Mapping of policies, social workforce, child emergency fund establishment, and structure in province, Palikas, and ward levels
• Prepare report on best practices and human-interest stories on child protection and GBV system strengthening submitted.
• Prepare report on technical support provided at local and provincial level planning processes including resource leveraging for child protection and gender-based violence (GBV) programs
• Prepare quarterly report on capacity development of Palika personnel and other partners including child protection stakeholders on child protection and GBV issues.

1 case study and 1 human-interest story on child protection and GBV programs implemented by government and CSO partners

• Prepare quarterly report on process documentation on the declaration of child labor-free Palikas and Rupantaran as a tool for changing behaviors of adolescents and social norms

1 case study and 1 human-interest story on child labor, child marriage, and child trafficking

Deliverables

Deliverable – End September 2024

• Submission of analysis of budget allocation and utilization of resources on child protection and GBV programs.
• Submission of report on drowning and birth registration situation analysis

Deliverable – End December 2024

• Submission of quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates.
• Submission of report on assessment of functionality of case management, information management processes and referral pathways

Deliverable – End February 2025

• Submission of a quarterly report on the use of vulnerable assessment tools that support evidence generation for providing appropriate services to left-behind children, including linkage of Government social protection schemes.

Deliverable – End April 2025

• Submission of a quarterly report on situation tracking and monitoring updates
• Submission of report on mapping of policies, social workforce (child welfare officers),
• Submission of child emergency fund establishment, structure in province, Palikas, and ward levels.
• Submission of report on best practices and including human-interest stories on child protection and GBV system strengthening, including child and youth club mobilization, etc.

Deliverable – End June 2025

• Submission of report on the technical support provided at local and provincial level planning process
• Submission of a quarterly report on the capacity development of Palika personnel and other partners, including child protection stakeholders, on child protection and GBV issues.
• Submission of one case study and one human-interest story on child protection and GBV programs implemented by government and CSO partners.

Deliverable – End August 2025

• Submission of a quarterly report of process documentation of child labor free Palikas and Rupantaran
• Submission of one case study and one human-interest story on child labor, child marriage, and child trafficking.

Duration: The duration of the consultancy is for 12 Months.

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

Bachelor’s degree

University degree in law, social sciences or any other field related to child protection.

Work Experience

• At least three years of experience in the related field of child protection and GBV
• Technical knowledge on child protection and GBV
• Relevant experience in government planning and budgeting process basically at provincial and Local level
• Relevant work experience in Madhesh province
• Excellent Nepali and English writing and speaking skills.
• Relevant experience with UN agencies will be an added advantage.

Competencies

• Good communication, coordination, analytical and facilitation skills.
• Capacity to work independently and to take initiative.
• Demonstrated commitment to delivering timely and high-quality result.

Special skills

• Technical knowledge and skills on child protection system strengthening, monitoring,
• Computer skills (including advanced Spreadsheet/Microsoft Excel, Microsoft word and PowerPoint presentation)

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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:

Applicants are requested to submit their financial quotation in Nepalese currency as per the deliverables.

Female candidates and candidates from the under-represented ethnic groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

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Added 2 hours ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: unicef.org