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And we never give up.
For every child, an advocate.
Purpose of Activity/Assignment
The consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) of the Czech Republic in drafting a comprehensive child protection and family support law aimed at unifying and strengthening the national child protection system. Working under the supervision of UNICEFโs Child Protection team in the Refugee Response Office and in close collaboration with the UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, the consultant will engage closely with national experts and key national partners to ensure alignment with international best practices. The consultant will be responsible for delivering the specific assignments outlined in these Terms of Reference.
Context
The Czech Republic has made significant strides in aligning its child protection policies with international human rights standards, yet its system remains fragmented and in need of comprehensive reform. While the country has demonstrated its commitment to upholding childrenโs rights by ratifying key international treaties and aligning its policies with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and EU standards, its child protection system remains fragmented and in need of reform. Responsibilities are divided among multiple ministries, creating service delivery challenges and prioritizing at-risk children over prevention and family support. Despite past reforms in legislation, funding, and social services, structural weaknesses persist, including a lack of standardized practices and accountability. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive legal framework that unifies and strengthens child protection and family support services, ensuring effective governance, accountability and the prioritization of childrenโs best interests.
In response to challenges within the national child protection system, the Government of the Czech Republic has recognized the urgent need for reform. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) sought support from the European Commission under Regulation (EU) 2021/240, known as the Technical Support Instrument (as part of the multicounty project). The European Commission - Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) of the European Commission has engaged UNICEFโs Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (UNICEF ECARO), in collaboration with the UNICEF Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic, to provide technical support. In November 2024, UNICEF launched the โDevelopment of a Comprehensive Child Protection and Family Support Law in the Czech Republicโ project to help address key challenges and establish a unified, child-centred legal framework. The project aims to enhance support for vulnerable children and families, equip professionals with updated tools, and implement legal and organizational changes.
UNICEF, in collaboration with SG REFORM of the European Commission, will provide essential technical inputs to assist the Government of the Czech Republic in drafting comprehensive new child protection and family support legislation, alongside a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), to be submitted to the Government of the Czech Republic for approval. This process will ensure the inclusion of all key components necessary for the legislative framework, guaranteeing alignment with international child protection standards, such as the UNCRC, as well as EU regulations and best practices. Additionally, UNICEF will contribute to the creation of a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), analysing the potential impacts of the proposed reforms on governance, service delivery, and financial sustainability. This will be complemented by a communication and public relations plan designed to facilitate the lawโs rollout and nationwide acceptance, ensuring stakeholders, including policymakers, social service authorities, NGOs, and the public, are fully informed and engaged throughout the process. UNICEF will work closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) to ensure the new child protection legislation is based on a comprehensive and evidence-based fiscal analysis, highlighting both current and future funding needs necessary to sustain the reforms. The newly drafted law and accompanying RIA will not only strengthen child protection services but also ensure that the Czech Republic's practices are in line with international standards, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and effective child protection system.
A UNICEF Core Group will lead the implementation of the Action, consisting of two UNICEF child protection specialists from ECARO and UNICEF Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic, who will serve as project managers and operational leaders to ensure the technical implementation aligns with UNICEFโs quality and effectiveness standards. The Core Group will be supported by a Project International Child Protection Expert (referred to as the โInternational consultant or consultantโ) and additional international and/or national child protection experts, as needed. The International Expert will provide essential technical oversight and guidance to the team, ensuring the new law meets high-quality standards. This consultancy requires an expert with extensive knowledge and experience in child protection systems, statutory family support services, social service workforce reform, and childcare reform in both EU and non-EU countries.
Scope of Work
Under the supervision of the UNICEF Core Group, the international consultant will provide substantive, content-based guidance and technical inputs in the legislative drafting process to ensure that for the new child protection and family support law in the Czech Republic aligns with international standards and strengthens the national child protection system. The consultant will not be responsible for detailed legal drafting of technical inputs or process management, which is the responsibility of national experts. Instead, the consultant will focus on technical guidance to bolster the lawโs child protection provisions, drawing on best practices both from EU and non-EU countries.
To implement Output 1, the consultant will:
Review the emerging draft law and provide expert recommendations on statutory family support services, social service workforce reform, and mechanisms for coordinating services for at-risk children. S/he will also propose strategies to address system fragmentation, focusing on improved coordination and accountability mechanisms. Ensure alignment with international standards by applying specialized knowledge of international child protection laws, human rights frameworks, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and EU child protection norms. Review and provide expert recommendations on technical inputs developed by national experts, ensuring that the legislative framework is comprehensive, clear, and implementable, with sufficient legal guidance for authorities, service providers, and affected communities. Assess the clarity, coherence, and feasibility of the proposed inputs to ensure they reflect international best practices and can be effectively implemented within the national context. Consolidate all findings, recommendations and technical guidance into a clear and actionable report to support further legislative development. Lead one or two in-person sessions to present international practices and standards relevant to the reform process, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders.To implement Output 2, the consultant will:
Advice on the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) by analyzing how the new law may affect governance, service delivery, and financial sustainability, while highlighting potential benefits and risks for children and families. The consultant will suggest relevant child protection indicators and evaluation methods to be included in the RIA to measure the lawโs effectiveness and its impact on children's well-being. Summarize the analysis, recommendations, and proposed indicators in a concise and actionable report to inform the development of the RIA and guide national stakeholders in the next steps of the reform process.To implement Outputs 1 and 2, the consultant will:
Incorporate feedback from UNICEF and national stakeholders to both draft technical inputs and RIA to refine recommendations and ensure the law is child-centered, coherent and actionable. Engage with the Inter-ministerial Working Group (IWG) to provide expert guidance on the implementation mechanisms necessary for the successful rollout of the law, ultimately contributing to a more effective and sustainable child protection system.The consultancy is based on the remote work, requiring traveling to the Czech Republic upon agreement.
The international consultant is expected to work closely in coordination with the UNICEF Refugee Response Office in the Czech Republic Child Protection team as well as with designated national experts. The collaboration will begin with a visioning exercise involving the international expert, national experts, and UNICEF to establish a shared vision for the new law and identify key systemic changes needed. Regular biweekly meetings will be held to review progress, address challenges, and plan next steps, ensuring alignment between international best practices and the national context. National experts will have the opportunity to consult with the international expert on an ad-hoc basis for guidance on specific questions. The international consultant will also be responsible for reviewing draft documents and providing feedback. All progress reports shall be submitted electronically via email.
Work Assignment Overview Tasks / Milestone Deliverables / Outputs Timeline / Deadline 1) Expert Review and Recommendations on Draft Child Protection and Family Support Law Report on the revision of the draft legislation and technical inputs, with recommendations for improvements in family support, workforce reform, and coordination, including an assessment of international alignment and proposed revisions. 20 working days Lead and present 2 in-person sessions on international best practices in child protection and family support systems. 2 working days 2) Expert guidance and technical inputs for drafting the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Report on Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) advising on governance, service impact and sustainability and recommending relevant indicators and refining suggestions based on feedback. 13 working days
Estimated Duration of the Contract
35 working days between July and October 2025
Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel
The Consultant will be remote/home-based.
As part of this assignment, and should the selected candidate be based outside of the Czech Republic, some some international travels are foreseen. The consultant will arrange her/his travel as and when they take place, and related costs will be reimbursed per UNICEF travel policy.
Travel Clause
All UNICEF rules and regulations related to travel of Consultants apply. All travels shall be undertaken only upon the prior written approval by UNICEF. The consultant must be fit to travel, be in a possession of the valid UN BSAFE certificate, obligatory inoculation(s) and have a valid own travel/medical insurance and an immunization/vaccination card.Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule
Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables.ย UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
Please submit a professional fee (in EUR) based on 35 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as these will be reimbursed as and when they take place.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆ
Masterโs degree inย Law, Social Work, Public Policy, Human Rights, Child Protection, Social Sciences, or other related fields. 8 years of professional experience in research, policy development or technical assistance related to child protection system reform, statutory family support services, or social service workforce development. Strong expertise in child protection legislation, legal frameworks, and policy development, with demonstrated experience supporting legislative reform processes. Proven experience conducting comparative analysis of good practices and policies in child protection, family support services, and alternative care models, particularly within EU contexts. In-depth knowledge of EU child rights standards, including the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, the European Child Guarantee, and relevant international frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Strong understanding of inter-agency cooperation mechanisms and multi-sectoral coordination in child protection reform. Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and oversight to policymakers, legal experts, and child protection professionals. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required.For every Child, you demonstrateโฆ
UNICEFโs core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
To view our competency framework, please visitย here.
UNICEF is here to serve the worldโs most marginalized children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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:
Please submit a full CV and aย Cover Letterย in your application.ย Applications submitted without a professional fee (in EUR) will not be considered.ย 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 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.
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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.