Local consultant to provide technical and administrative support to the international expert and facilitate the development of the roadmap for operationalization of the Child Helpline, Pristina, Child Protection, 30 days

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Job no: 559582
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Pristina
Level: Consultancy
Location: Kosovo
Categories: Child Protection

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, help

A protective environment refers to a child’s immediate (family and home) environment as well as the institutions, systems and society that surround the child. One aspect of this protective environment is a referral system to ensure children get the protective services they need, one component of which is simply a means where to be able to call for help.

While Kosovo institutions have made progress in addressing violence against children through the adoption of adequate legislative and policy framework, violence against children remains hidden, as many cases are not reported, nor investigated. Over 70 per cent of children aged 1-14 are reported to have experienced physical punishment or psychological aggression, with a higher incidence, 80 per cent, for children among the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities1. Despite the seriousness of the issue, there is a lack of appropriate responses and services to prevent, protect or reintegrate victims and witnesses of violence. The Qualitative Research on Social Norms around Gender-Based Violence and the Physical Punishment of Children in Kosovo2 undertaken in 2015, shows that violence persists in family settings with a long-term developmental impact on children and the wider society.

The Law on Child Protection that entered into force in 2020 and provided a milestone achievement for the protection of children’s rights by establishing a comprehensive legal framework for guaranteeing and protecting children from all forms of abuse, exploitation, neglect, physical and mental violence, or other that could endanger children’s life, safety, health, education, or development. The Law on Child Protection, Article 22, stipulates that the ‘Relevant Unit for Good Governance establishes the free-of-charge line for Child Protection. The free line will serve children who need to ask and receive advice, and to report cases of violence, abuse, neglect, and trafficking. Children should be provided with support, counselling, and services pursuant to their needs and in accordance with their best interest.

The formal system for child protection to respond to cases of children at risk, is to be managed and implemented primarily by social workers within the Centers for Social Work that are responsible for providing services for children.

Related to above, and in order to have a better understanding of a functional child helpline there is a need to review and compare different experiences and practices from a regional and broader context that will help to help the design the model of the Child Helpline in Kosovo.

Following the request received from the Prime Minister’s Office of Good Governance (PMOGG), UNICEF is recruiting a local consultant who is going to work closely with and provide technical, administrative and logistical support to the international consultant to conduct a feasibility assessment for the development of the roadmap for the operationalization of the Child Helpline.

More specifically, the local consultant will support the international consultant on technical, administrative, logistical, and other related aspects, including liaising and coordinating with PMOGG and other relevant partners from Kosovo institutions, civil society organizations, private sector, and other relevant actors to facilitate the process of development and design of the model of the Child Helpline.

The PMOGG will have the ownership and lead the process and as needed and will coordinate and consult with other related stakeholders, such as line Ministries and institutions, NGO’s and Civil Society Organizations, Telecommunications Companies (Public and Private), and will carry forward the recommendations and concrete actions, by also getting technical advice during the process of preparation of all necessary administrative and operational tools and documents to setup the structure of the Child Helpline.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Child Protection Officer the local consultant will provide technical expertise and support the international consultant on administrative, logistical, and other related aspects, including liaising and coordinating with OGG/OPM and other relevant partners from Kosovo institutions, civil society organizations, private sector, and other relevant actors to facilitate the process of development and design of the Child Helpline.

Within the scope of the work, the key expected outputs to be achieved by this consultancy are:

• Conducting a desk review: Explore, select, compile and technical translation (as needed) of related materials and documentation, share with and support international consultant in conducting the thorough technical desk review of available materials and documents, regional and international child helpline best practices, relevant legislation, national strategies and policies and other relevant documents identified for the initial phase.
• Development of an orientation framework: Provide technical and administrative support to the international consultant in developing of the detailed methodology to guide and inform the assessment process until the development and finalization of the roadmap for the Child Helpline.
• Feasibility assessment of the Child Protection system and its related mechanisms: Provide technical expertise and facilitate the process of the feasibility assessment for the development of the roadmap for the operationalization of the Child Helpline, through scheduling and conducting interviews, meetings, consultations with multiple institutional stakeholders, NGOs, private sector, to support the international consultant in the detailed assessment process.
• Development of a detailed roadmap: Support the international consultant in finalization of the detailed roadmap for the functional Child Helpline in Kosovo, including defining the operational and technical structure, cost analysis, staff and operational structure, through provision of continuous administrative and logistical support throughout the process of this consultancy.

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

• Advanced academic degree in child protection related issues, social science, public health, or another relevant subject.
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of Child Protection, with specific focus on violence against children
• Proven knowledge and expertise in conducting research and studies related to child protection issues, (on child helpline and VAC related would be an advantage).
• Working experience with the Governments, UN and international agencies, CSO’s, Human and Children’s Rights, Child Protection on thematic related to abused, neglected, and exploited children
• Excellent inter-personal relations and consulting skills.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and establish harmonious and effective working relationships. Fluency in English language and a local language,

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.

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:

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.

Advertised: 21 Feb 2023 Middle East Standard Time
Deadline: 03 Mar 2023 Middle East Standard Time

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