Consultancy: Consultant, CRC Implementation Handbook Update—Phase One – Human Rights Section, PG, NYHQ/Remote – Req # 545628

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, hope.

 

 

Consultancy Title:  CRC Implementation Handbook Update—Phase One

Section/Division/Duty Station:  Human Rights Unit, Programmes Group, New York

Duration:   4 months and 10 days

 

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

The Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child[1]  has long been considered the most comprehensive guidance available on interpretation of the Convention.  It was first issued by UNICEF (following a lengthy consultative development process involving many varied stakeholders from the human rights and child rights community) in January 1998, followed by second and third editions in 2002 and 2007, respectively.

The Implementation Handbook has become a well-known practical tool used by governments, UNICEF and other United Nations agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations, human rights institutions and academics, to guide them on the implementation of the Convention.  UNICEF has a responsibility to ensure that it contains the most contemporary and up-to-date analysis of the Convention in line with UNICEF’s position as the thought-leader on child rights.

The child rights agenda, including relevant jurisprudence, has evolved significantly in many areas since the Implementation Handbook was last revised in 2007.  Additionally, the 775-plus page hard copy of the Implementation Handbook requires updating for the twenty-first century, when information needs also to be made available online.

It is imperative therefore that the Implementation Handbook be updated in content to incorporate the latest thinking, analysis and jurisprudence on the Convention (including Concluding Observations, General Comments, and OPIC decisions), and that it be updated in format to ensure that it is fully accessible in the twenty-first century to all.

The ToRs presented here are for Phase One of the project which will be to conduct analysis as well as to develop a Roadmap and strategy for the comprehensive updating of the Implementation Handbook.  This will involve analysis of relevant jurisprudence, and wide consultations with relevant stakeholders both within the UN system as well with external entities.  Phase One of this initiative will result in a clear plan for UNICEF towards development of the fourth edition of the Implementation Handbook, available also for an online and diverse audience.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

The Consultant will work within, provide support to, and be supported by the PGLT Human Rights Unit.  The Consultant will be required to work across all relevant UNICEF Divisions, and with partners from other UN entities, academic institutions, human rights/child rights NGOs, and civil society amongst others.

The main tasks of the Consultant are as follows:

• Conduct a mapping and analysis of relevant jurisprudence (Concluding Observations, General Comments, and OPIC decisions) developed on the Convention on the Rights of the Child from 2017 – 2021.
• With the support of the PGLT Human Rights Unit, develop a survey and conduct consultations widely within UNICEF, with the UN system, with academic institutions, with NGOs and civil society on the proposed updating of the Implementation Handbook.
• Develop a CRC Implementation Handbook Update Roadmap based on mapping, analysis and consultations.
• Support the coordination and preparation of a UNICEF inter-Divisional meeting to present the analysis conducted and the draft Implementation Handbook Roadmap to secure organizational buy-in and identification of appropriate modalities for the proposed way forward.
• Incorporate final feedback received and finalize and submit analysis and Roadmap.

Qualifications

(1) Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, International law, International Relations, Political Science or a relevant field. 

2) Work experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the fields of human rights and child rights.
• Up-to-date knowledge of the international legal framework on child rights and concrete experience of its implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and coordination within international organisations.
• Expertise in facilitating consultation processes with a variety of stakeholders.

3) Competencies

• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English, with experience writing technical guidance documents.
• Good judgment, initiative, high sense of responsibility, tact and discretion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to establish harmonious working relations in a multicultural environment.

Requirements:

• Completed profile in UNICEF’s e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
• your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, appearance, socio-economic status, ability, age, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.