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,Education
The Government of Lesotho (GoL) is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC). As part of the state obligations signatory to the Convention, the state party must submit periodic reports on the implementation status of the country on the treaty and give a picture on the protection of rights of children.
In May 2022, Lesotho submitted its responses to the Concluding Observations from the third periodic state report tabled in May 2018. Therefore, the fourth periodic report is due for submission in April 2024.While these reports address the reporting requirements as set out by the CRC committee, they also serve a broader purpose. They are meant to be the reflection on the current state of children in Lesotho and on the ability of the country to protect and promote their fundamental rights and entitlements. It also provides some guidance going forward for the GOLโs efforts to continually improve and protect the welfare of the countryโs children.How can you make a difference?ย Scope of Work: ย UNICEF is hiring a technical expert to support the Government of Lesothoโs (GoL) commitment to fulfil its periodic reporting obligations as a signatory to the UNCRC and in the realisation of childrenโs rights and ensuring full protection of children and their rights. The expert will support the GoL to compile and submit a periodic report UNCRC. ย Under the supervision of UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, the consultant will: โข Prepare a state party report in relation to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in line with the guidelines stated for such reports in consultation with other relevant Ministries. ย To accomplish the above assignment, the consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks over a period not exceeding 60 working days:
Develop an Inception report including work plan, methodology for the exercise and time frame, etc. to be approved by the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MOGYSD). Collate, consolidate, and analyze all the data that will be gathered by MOGYSD and stakeholders who have been implementing interventions of children. Hold validation workshops for inputs from child protection implementers. Incorporate in the draft report relevant feedback coming out of the stakeholdersโ workshop. Finalise and submit to MOGYSD the final CRC report.Work Assignment Overview: Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Timeline (period/deadline) Payment structure (% of the total fee) Development of inception report Inception report with detailed methodology and workplan 14 days after start of contract 20% Validation workshops for key stakeholders. Approved validation report by Ministry 17th June 2024 30% Consideration of the stakeholdersโ inputs (feedback) and submission of final draft Approved final UNCRC Report ย 7th July 2024 50%
ย To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
An advanced university degree (Masterโs or higher)Disciplines:
Law, Criminology, Social Work/Policy, International Development Studies, or any related field.Languages:
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience related to childrenโs rights and international legal frameworks such as the UNCRC Experience working with the UNCRC reporting mechanisms will be a strong advantage. Strong understanding of the international, regional and Lesothoโs legislation and policies pertaining to child protection and childrenโs rights. Extensive experience in designing, implementation, and monitoring justice for children programmes at national and sub-national levels Experience in effectively facilitating the collaborative work of a wide range of stakeholders, including government and development partners. Familiarity with UNICEFโs mandate and goals is an advantage. Have no criminal record in abuse of children. Excellent analytical and report writing skills including interactive and interpersonal communication skills. Familiarity with UNICEFโs mandate and goals is an advantage.For every Child, you demonstrateโฆย
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).ย To view our competency framework, please visit ย here.ย
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.ย
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.ย
Remarks:ย ย
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.ย
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered โstaff membersโ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEFโs 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.ย
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.ย