Consultancy (Home-based, 3 months): CRBP 10th anniversary publication – taking stock of child rights and business, Division of Private Fundraising and Partnerships (PFP)

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

Seeking to clarify business responsibilities to respect and support children’s rights within the framework established by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in 2012 UNICEF, the UN Global Compact and Save the Children developed the Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBPs).

The CRBPs were the first comprehensive set of principles to guide companies on the full range of actions they can take in the workplace, marketplace and community to respect and support children’s rights. Based on existing standards, initiatives and best practices related to business and children, the CRBP sought to define the scope of corporate responsibility towards children. Covering a wide range of critical issues – from child labor to marketing and advertising practices to the role of business in aiding children affected by emergencies.

The Principles call on companies everywhere to respect children’s rights through their core business actions, but also through policy commitments, due diligence, prevention and remediation measures. Development of the Principles were informed by an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process involving business, civil society, governments, national human rights institutions, academia and children.

In 2022, the CRBPs will have been in existence for 10 years. UNICEF, UNGC and Save the Children are planning an event to mark the anniversary. Much like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the CRBPs and measures and guidance developed to support implementation have influenced both the way the business ecosystem sees its responsibilities towards children, but also the advocacy and technical engagement with the world of business of organizations such as UNICEF that work to protect children’s rights.

This is evident in changing business practices of companies, regulations and industry standards that feature children’s rights more explicitly, and the programmes of child rights organizations that seek to engage businesses as key duty bearers for improving children’s lives. However, there is still a long way to go before children’s rights are routinely considered by all business stakeholders as a key element of responsible business.

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF is seeking an expert consultant to undertake a stocktaking study of progress made on integrating children’s rights considerations into business policies, standards, and practices in the 10 years since the CRBPs were launched. The study will examine changes and developments in perspectives and action among businesses, business associations, investors, ESG providers and regulators towards, a) adverse impact on children, b) integration of measures and mechanisms into business practice, policy and standards, c) addressing root causes of children’s rights deprivations as part of prevention, d) understanding and awareness of children’s rights, e) guidance, metrics, benchmarks and reporting. The work will be framed within broader trends in rights-based responsible business conduct and will provide sectoral and company change narratives and case studies of examples). It will also explore how the CRBPs have changed the way child rights organizations approach business.

It should be noted that the CRBPs are a peg on which to hang analysis of broad progress—this is stock-taking is not a quasi-evaluation of the CRBPs but an assessment on progress on the integration of children’s rights considerations in the world of business.

The study will be released in the form of a stocktaking publication to inform activities around the 10th anniversary of the CRBP during 2022.   

The consultancy is structured around 3 deliverables, to be completed by 21 March 2022.

MAIN TASKS 

Under the guidance of the supervisor of this contract, the consultant will be responsible for undertaking a study of progress made towards businesses respecting children’s rights in 10 years since the CRBP were launched and synthesize key findings and case studies in an accessible stocktaking report, to be released in conjunction with the 10^th anniversary of the CRBP.

The consultant will:

• Develop the methodology and agree it with the project managers.
• Carry out the stock-taking research.
• Write the report, which will be analytical but stylistically accessible to the general reader.

DELIVERABLES 

The contract will be structured around 3 deliverables (timelines to be agreed with successful candidate upon start of contract):

1. (20% of total fee) Inception report outlining methodology to conduct research into the impact of the CRBPs and implementation tools and guidance on key stakeholders in the business environment, indicative examples of change, or lack of change, in the way the business actors identified above integrate children’s rights into approaches and strategies.
2. (50% of total fee) First draft of stocktaking report outlining progress made in the integration of children’s rights into standards, benchmarks, policies and practices by the business actors defined above. It is expected that these will be illustrated throughout the document by case studies and lessons learned within the business world (UNICEF can help the consultant identify potential case studies, but it is also important that the consultant researches examples beyond UNICEF’s partners).

The report should also highlight the work of UNICEF and other organizations in promoting and supporting implementation of the principles across the globe. The report should be drafted in English and comprise of 40-70 pages of text. It should be accessible in style, suitable for a general audience.

(30% of total fee) Final draft of stocktaking report integrating comments received from UNICEF, technical experts and partners featured in the report.

ESTIMATED DURATION OF THE CONTRACT AND PROPOSAL

Estimated 3 months, tentative starting date 22 Dec 2021. All deliverables must be finalized by 21 March 2022. The consultant will be paid against deliverables.

REPORTING TO 

Child Rights and Business Unit, PFP/PG

WORKPLACE

Consultant is expected to work remotely and is not expected to travel.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: A master’s degree in sustainable business, social policy, human rights or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first level university degree in a relevant field combined with additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: At least 5 years of work experience with responsible business, business and human rights or a related field. A proven record of conducting research on responsible business conduct, business and human rights or related topics. Knowledge and experience on child rights and business will be considered an asset.  

Language: Fluency in English is required. Applicants must have a proven record of excellent writing and analytical skills in English.

Applications should include short suggested approach/methodology to undertake this contract in the cover letter.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Remarks:

• Please indicate your availability and total fee (in US$) to undertake the 3 deliverables in the cover letter. Applications submitted without a total fee for all deliverables will not be considered. Also, please mention the earliest date you can start. Kindly note all deliverables need to be complete by 21 March 2022.
• The application cover letter should include a preliminary description of how the project would be approached.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein. 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.

UNICEF 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.