National Consultant at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: National Consultant for Developing and Validating the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Handover Protocol and Training the Military on the SOPs

Job no: 575717
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultancy
Categories: Child Protection

Scope of Work

• The aim of this project is to streamline the processes while children encountered in the course of armed conflict are taken into administrative custody by the military.
• Topics to be covered to achieve this aim are, firstly, the full and unimpeded access for all relevant child protection actors to the children while they are in the custody of the Nigerian Security Agencies.
• Secondly, all girls and boys in detention need to be released from administrative custody and handed over to a civilian child protection authority within seven days for reintegration.
• Thirdly, the treatment of children while they are in administrative custody needs to be compliant with international and child rights standards and frameworks.

Responsibilities
The Consultant working under the supervision of the UNICEF Child Protection Chief, in close collaboration with the Child Protection Manager in Maiduguri and the Child Protection Officer in Abuja, will be responsible for the following:

• Develop an inception report that outlays the methodology for the assignment, data collection, and gives an overview of available resources.
• Facilitate inclusive and participatory workshops with the inter-Government and UN Taskforce on the Handover Protocol, and other relevant military officials, on the content of the SOPs.
• Draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on access for child protection authorities to Nigerian Security Agency facilities where children are being held.
• Draft an SOP outlining the transfer of children in military custody to civilian authorities.
• Draft an SOP outlining the treatment of children in administrative custody with the military.
• Facilitate a validation workshop with relevant Government stakeholders, especially from the military, to review and endorse the developed SOPs.
• Train military officials on the contents and usage of the finalized SOPs, and the existing minimum stands for children in detention.
• This consultancy will require travel to the field, including Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, for information gathering and the roll out of the training sessions for the military.

Key Deliverables: 

• Inception report with proposed approach, and a review of literature and existing protocols to inform this assignment.
• Participatory workshop with key stakeholders on the contents of the SOPs.
• SOP on access to Nigerian Security Agency facilities where children are being held.
• SOP outlining the transfer of children in military custody to civilian authorities.
• SOP outlining the treatment of children in administrative custody with the military.
• Validation workshop for the SOPS with relevant Government stakeholders, especially from the military.
• Training package, including a role-out plan, and training sessions held for military officials on the SOPs and the minimum standards for children in detention.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills

• A university degree (Bachelor’s) or academic background in international development, international relations, conflict studies, or international law Endorsement Sign Name Date Chief Child Protection Deputy Representative.
• Minimum of 5 years experience working on relevant topics, such as child protection, civil-military affairs, and international law.
• Ability to work with and manage various stakeholder expectations, such as government officials, and work within strict timelines - Experience working with the Nigerian military preferable.
• Knowledge of national and international Child Rights legislation, frameworks and standards.
• Work experience within the context of Northeast Nigeria - Strong communication capacity in written and spoken English.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Application Closing Date
7th October, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online