UNICEF works in some of the worldโs toughest places, to reach the worldโs most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.ย
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.ย
And we never give up.ย
For every child,ย Protection
UNICEF started to work in Lebanon in 1948 and established its office in 1950. For more than 70 years weโve been working closely with the Government of Lebanon, other UN agencies, international and local NGOs, universities, and more than 100 partners to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in Lebanon. Responding to life-saving needs and ensuring equal access to quality public services, the impact of our work is felt in every aspect and every sphere of society. To learn more about our work, please refer to: https://www.unicef.org/lebanon/what-we-do
Judicial procedures involving children in Lebanon are governed by a combination of personal status laws (for religious communities) and civil law, including specific laws relating to child protection. The execution of judicial decisions involving children relies on a combination of court orders, enforcement mechanisms, and, where necessary, involvement from social services and law enforcement to ensure that the welfare of the child is upheld. Execution therefore involves a wide range of stakeholders lead by the judiciary and internal security forces, but also involving court personnel, the social services sector (including mandated NGOs), lawyers, religious courts, community gatekeepers (i.e. religious authorities), among others. Thus far, inconsistent coordination and sometimes a lack of clarity and/or consensus about responsibilities and timeframes for the execution of decisions have had a harmful impact on the children involved.
How can you make a difference?ย
The objective of this assignment is to scope and draft SOPs related to the execution of judicial decisions for cases involving children. The SOPs will focus on all dimensions related to the issuance and execution of judicial decisions involving children.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Phase I: Mapping and analysis of the current state of the issuance and execution of judicial decisions involving children.
- Map out the actors and mechanisms relevant to the issuance and execution of judicial decisions involving children (this should include all decision makers relevant to the issuing of a decision and its execution).
- Overview of how these judicial decisions are executed at present, in law vis-ร -vis in practice, including any special conditions, opportunities/pathways for appeal, and timeframes.
- The consultant drafts a report to share the findings from the mapping and analysis exercise, and that would include the identification of specific challenges and gaps, as well as recommendations for the way forward. This report shallย represent the rationale and the basis for the content of the SOPs that the consultant will draft in Phase II of this assignment. ย 2. Phase II: The development and drafting of the SOPs ย - Identifying clearly the scope and scale of the SOPs to be developed (including definitions of major concepts, and table of contents). ย - Organizing a broad range of consultative events to engage relevant stakeholders in the process of the development of the SOPs (i.e. stakeholder interviews, roundtable discussions, surveysโฆ). ย - Draft SOPs that include, but not limited to, the entire process in terms of standardized steps, definition of roles and responsibilities, identification of timelines, as well as fees and expenses if applicable. ย - SOPs need to align with the current national legal framework, as well as international principles and best practices (i.e. best interest of the child, child-friendly procedures...). ย - The process proposed needs to ensure that the best interests of the child are upheld. ยWork Assignment Expected Results
ย
Deliverables/Outputs:
Tasks/Milestone:
Working Days
ย
Six meetings with UNICEF and MoJ
Hold monthly meetings to inform UNICEF and MoJ to launch the process, update on progress, and finalize the assignment.
Meetings to be held at the beginning of each month, for the duration of the assignment.
6 days
Draft inception report in Arabic
Draft inception report prepared and submitted to UNICEF and MoJ for feedback
Report between 15-20 pages, excluding title pages and annexes if any. It should include background, research purpose and design, study setting, sample design and size, sample selection process, first draft of the research instruments, risk and mitigation matrix, and any other relevant information to the study
15 days
(during June 2025)
UNICEF and MoJ provide feedback on draft inception report
0 days
(two weeks from receipt of draft inception report)
Final inception report in Arabic
Final inception report in Arabic submitted following integration of UNICEF and MoJ feedback
Report between 15-20 pages, excluding title pages and annexes if any. It should include background, research purpose and design, study setting, sample design and size, sample selection process, first draft of the research instruments, risk and mitigation matrix, and any other relevant information to the study
2 days
(2nd half of July 2025)
Phase I: Mapping of system(s) of execution of judicial decisions involving children
Data collection and analysis to gather information for the drafting of a report
Undertake a mapping and analysis of the current system(s) for the execution of judicial decisions: Data collection and analysis
25 days
(From mid-July till mid- Sept. 2025)
PPT presentation to be made at a validation meeting with UNICEF, MoJ and other relevant stakeholders
Organize a meeting to share with UNICEF, MoJ and relevant stakeholdersโ findings from the data collection and analysis phase
2 days
(2nd half of Sept. 2025)
Mapping and Analysis draft report in Arabic
Draft a report that includes the findings from the mapping and analysis exercise
Submit report to UNICEF and MoJ for feedback
Report should be between 35-40 pages, excluding title page, annexesโฆ. It may include, as needed, a decision tree, tables, illustrations, and so on ย ย
10 days
(Mid-Sept 2025 until mid-Oct. 2025)
UNICEF and MoJ provide feedback on draft report
0 days
(Two weeks from receipt of draft report)
Mapping and Analysis final report in Arabic
Feedback integrated and revised report re-submitted as final report to UNICEF and MoJ (this phase may require additional data collection)
Report should be between 35-40 pages, excluding title page, annexesโฆ. It may include, as needed, a decision tree, tables, illustrations, and so onย ย
8 days
(during Nov. 2025)ย ย
Phase II: Development of SOPs on the execution of judicial decisions involving childrenย ย
Formation of a group to be consulted on content of SOPs
MoJ communicates with relevant stakeholders/institutions requesting nomination of a focal person to contribute to content of SOPs
Consultant follows up on communications shared by MoJ to ensure nomination of focal persons
4 days
(October 2025)
Meetings with focal persons to build content of SOPs, as it relates to their respective mandates and capacities (meetings individual or collective)
Meetings, roundtable discussions, or other modalities of data collection, as deemed necessary
25 days
(from Nov. until Dec. 2025)
Draft SOPs in Arabic
Draft SOPs shared with UNICEF, MoJ, and all relevant stakeholders for feedback
15 days
(during Jan. and Feb. 2026) ย ย ย
Feedback on draft SOPs integrated, and revised SOPs re-submitted to UNICEF and MoJ (this may entail further consultations and data collection)
10 days
(first half of April 2026)
Organization of a validation workshop with all relevant stakeholders to present and finalize the SOPs
2 days
(2nd half of April 2026)
Consultant integrates comments made during validation workshop (if any)
2 days
(2nd half of April 2026)
UNICEF and MoJ revise the adjusted draft
0 days
(first half of May 2026)
Final SOPs in Arabic
Final SOPs submitted to UNICEF and MoJ.
MoJ shares final SOPs with relevant stakeholders through formal communication
3 days
(3rd week of May 2026)ย
Training plan
Draft a suggested training plan for the roll-out of the SOPs (the organization of the trainings does not fall within the scope of this assignment)
(maximum 5-10 pages including agenda, modalities for training, and profile of trainees)
3 days
(end of May 2026)
Total number of working days: 132 days (during a 12-months period)
ย
Click Here to view the ToR:ย ย 2025_CP_Judicial Decision SoP Consultant - ToR Final.docx
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
An advanced university degree in Law.ย A minimum of 20 years of experience in a field related to the execution of judicial procedures, either from the judicial or law enforcement angle. In-depth knowledge of Lebanese laws (both civil and confessional laws) related to children, judicial procedures and legal processes around issues related to children, as well as international principles and practices. In depth knowledge of the civil and religious court systems. An established network of interlocuters from both systems is essential. Previous experience working with the judiciary and law enforcement, and with religious courts. Strong research and analytical skills. Skills in process design and development to create SOPs that outline clear, standardized steps. This includes defining roles, responsibilities, and timelines. Fluency in written and oral Arabic is required.For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEFโs Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post areโฆ
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF is here to serve the worldโs 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.
We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEFโs active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.ย
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally requiredย to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.ย
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicantsโ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the recruitment process.