Justice For Children National Consultant (NO-B/NO-C) – FOR LIBERIAN NATIONALS ONLY

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. 

Purpose of Assignment:

Given this backdrop, the overall objective of this assignment is to assist the Child Protection Programme and the international consultant to implement key action points and recommendations deriving from this landmark study and the draft National Child Justice Strategy in Liberia (2020-2024) and ensure that it is adopted and absorbed by the government through supporting the leadership of Ministry of Justice and the Technical Advisory Group established by UNICEF and Ministry of Justice as well as other relevant bodies including the legislature (such as the House Committee on health and gender).

The study and the draft National Strategy (which was drafted through a drafting workshop in December 2019) had highlighted the following three areas that requires priority attention for improvement:

1. Strengthening the organizational framework for children in contact with the law through updating of SOPs and guidelines in line with national and international standards;
2. Strengthening institutional capacity of relevant justice and security professionals in ensuring access to justice for children in contact with the law.
3. Re-modeling the diversion/restorative justice programme, for children in conflict with the law, led by the Child Justice Section, including a component for children subject to suspended sentence.  

Basic Objectives of the Consultancy/Contractor (assignment) services (2-5 Objectives):

Overall Objective: Support the improvement of the child justice system, to be more child friendly and gender sensitive in line with international standards.  

 This will be achieved through the following sub-objectives:

1. To support the finalization and adoption of the National Child Justice Strategy in Liberia;
2. To support the strengthening of the organization framework for children in conflict with the law amongst relevant justice and security professionals through the update and revision of the Juvenile Justice SOPs/guidelines;
3. To support the strengthening of the institutional capacity of relevant justice and security professionals and intersectoral collaboration through development of training modules on child justice (i. interdisciplinary training on juvenile justice; ii: interdisciplinary training on child victims/witnesses of SGBV; iii: review/update on LNP Police Training manual), TOT and its roll out;
4. To support the re-modelling the current diversion programme, inclusive of suspended sentences, and restorative justice; and
5. To support and propose legislative amendments in line with international child justice standards, including raising awareness of child justice and child rights issues amongst the legislature (House Committee on health and gender) and INHRC;

Targets/Deliverables of the Assignment:

1. Finalized and Endorsement of the National Strategy on Child Justice by Ministry of Justice;
2. Support the operationalization of the National Strategy on Child Justice through the development of a national action plan;  
3. Support the development of the Child Justice Training Module in Liberia;
4. Support the drafting of an interdisciplinary SOP on Juvenile Justice in Liberia for all relevant justice and security professionals and social workers, and its endorsement; 
5. Support and ensure the re-modelling of the diversion programme through: 5.1) orientation and training sessions for the team of the selected county, Child Justice section, MOJ, MOGCSP Juvenile Unit and other relevant justice and security professionals on diversion, suspended sentence and restorative justice; 5.2) Awareness/orientation sessions for Steering Committee, referral agencies and other stakeholders; 5.3) organize with MOJ and child justice social workers on awareness/orientation for general public/communities (and media?); 5.4) support the supervision on the mapping/informing community-based services; support the modelling/on-the-job coaching of the team (2 sessions); 5.4) support the supervision, monitoring, reporting and documentation; and 5.5) support the revision of division guidelines and its forms and design of guidelines relating to suspended sentence;
6. Support the drafting and an interdisciplinary training module on juvenile justice in Liberia, and its finalization and endorsement;
7. Support the documenting of the journeys & drafting of an interdisciplinary training module with a specific focus on child victims/witnesses of SGBV ‘Journey of the Child Victim’ and its finalization and endorsement;
8. Support the drafting/update of the child and gender sensitive policing training of the LNP and its finalization and endorsement;
9. Support conducting a pilot training and TOT of the Child Justice Training Module in Liberia as a co-trainer;
10. Support conducting a TOT of the training module on juvenile justice in Liberia as a co-trainer;
11. Support the roll out of the ‘Journey of the Child Victim’ in selected EU Spotlight Counties as a co-trainer;
12. Support the TOT and roll out of the Child and Gender sensitive policing training of the LNP including WACPs and other police officers as a co-trainer;
13. Support together with Ministry of Justice and the Technical Advisory Group for the implementation of the National Child Justice Strategy and its provisions related to: a) revision of child protection related laws, identification of non-human rights compliance aspects; b) and support for appropriate amendment in line with international standards; c) ensure GoL’s compliance to relevant treaty bodies on child rights namely, timely and quality submission of periodic state party reports and follow up on concluding observations and recommendations (CRC and African Charter on the Welfare and Rights of the Child) including working closely with MOJ Human Rights Unit in coordination with MOJ Child Justice Section;
14. Support UNICEF to strengthen the child centric focus of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) and of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights;
15. Support in many other tasks not included in this TOR but applicable to the consultancy and directed by the supervisor (Chief, Child Protection).

Objective 1: Finalization of the draft National Strategy on Child Justice in Liberia
Key Activities/Tasks	Outputs/Deliverables	Time frame
Re-activate the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Support the finalization of the National Strategy based on the feedback of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) members Facilitate through the Technical Advisory Group for the development of an national action plan in line with the national strategy on child justice in Liberia Support the Endorsement of the National Strategy on Child Justice by Ministry of Justice   Support the operationalization of the National Strategy on Child Justice through the development of a national action plan	Reactivate and strengthen the Technical Advisory Group (ensure meeting at least once of month=3 days each per meeting* 11 months=33 days) Finalize the national action plan, an operational plan of the national strategy on child justice (organize with the Technical Advisory Group a 3 day workshop+2 days pre and post workshop including finalization of the workshop report= 5 days) National Strategy on Child Justice Liberia finalized and endorsed (10 days = work with MOJ, House Committee and the Law Reform Commission for the endorsement) Support the establishment and functionality of an operational sub-working groups under the Technical Advisory Groups that would be following up and ensuring implementation of the national strategy (4 days per month*8 months= 32 days)	80 days (note: 33 days are spread into 11 months for the TAG; and 40 days are also spread into 8 months for the sub-working group)

Objective 2: Finalization of a Child Justice Training Module in Liberia
Key Activities/Tasks	Outputs/Deliverables	Time frame
Under the guidance of the international consultant, work with MOJ/Judicial Training Institute (JTI) on the development and review of the draft training module (including methodology, content and visuals) and its finalization of the training module Work with MOJ/JTI on the preparation of the pilot ToT/training for potential trainers of the Judicial Training Institute Support the international consultant to obtaining feedback by trainers and incorporate comments/revisions to the training module Support the international consultant and MOJ/JTI to finalise training module Support as the co-trainer for the TOT of this training module Support UNICEF and MOJ (including JTI) for the institutionalization of the training module	Training module on Child Justice developed and finalized (5 days) TOT delivered as the co-trainer (10 days including preparatory work with the international consultant) Support JTI in the institutionalization of the training module (5 days)	20 days

Objective 3: Finalization of an interdisciplinary SOP on Juvenile Justice and development and roll out of its through training (training module development and TOT roll out)
Key Activities/Tasks	Outputs/Deliverables	Time frame
Support the finalization of the SOPs through a joint consultation with all juvenile justice professionals (note: Consultation may be done on-line via zoom meeting lead by the international consultant) Support the preparation of the draft interdisciplinary training module on juvenile justice (content, visuals and methodology) Support as co-trainer the Training of Trainers (ToT) on the training module Support the Feedback by trainers on content, visuals & methodology Support the Discussion of the roll-out plan with trainers and management Support the finalization of the interdisciplinary training module – Support field visits to follow up/monitor/observe LNP/WACPs, Juvenile courts, Magistrate courts and detention facilities Monitor the progress of the roll out	Interdisciplinary SOPs on Juvenile Justice developed Interdisciplinary training module on Juvenile Justice developed ToT of the interdisciplinary training module on Juvenile Justice delivered	25 days

Objective 4: Review and update of the Child and Gender sensitive policing training of the LNP including WACPs and other police officers.
Key Activities/Tasks	Outputs/Deliverables	Time frame
Support the revision and update of the existing LNP training module (for children victims/witnesses of crime and child offenders) to ensure child friendly and gender sensitivity, including on interviewing child victim/witnesses of crime and child offenders (through reviewing of structure of the interview protocol as well as knowledge/child development) Support Prepare a draft training module for child friendly and gender sensitive policing Support as co-trainer TOT on the training module delivered with Police Academy trainers and national consultant Support Feedback by trainers on content, visuals & methodology Support Discussing roll-out plan with trainers and management Monitor the progress of the roll out  including conducting field trips.	7. Support the review and update of existing LNP Training module 8.  Support the ToT as the co-trainer and ensure timely delivery of the training module 9. Facilitate feedback of the training module 10. Monitor the progress of the roll out plan and its implementation	21 days

Objective 6: Development of an inter-disciplinary practical training on SGBV child victims/witnesses (‘Journey of Child Victims/ Witnesses of Crime’ training module) for the further prevention of secondary victimization
Key Activities/Tasks	Outputs/Deliverables	Time frame
Support in the preparation of the methodology for the documentation of the 3 journeys   Support the international consultant in documenting three case studies (‘journeys’ of child victim/witnesses with secondary victimization), including traveling   Support the preparation of a briefing note with case studies and feasible practical solutions/way forward Support the drafting and finalization of the training module on ‘journeys of child victims/witnesses of crime’ and practical solutions for secondary victimization  Support the roll out of the training module (as national co-trainer) on journeys plus solutions (1 girl-victim, 1 boy victim & 1 child witness) in three pilot counties Facilitate the feedback session to MOJ including technical advisory group members	10. Briefing note delivered 11. Training module ‘journeys of child victims/witnesses of crime’ 12. Roll out of training module 13. Finalize training module	21 days

Objective 7: Support UNICEF to strengthen the child centric focus of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) and of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights
1. Support the setting up of a technical Children’s rights coordinating committee under the NHRAP Secretariat to monitor and guide the NHRAP implementation, specifically the Children’s rights aspects; 2. Support sensitization and awareness on NHRAP Children’s rights strategic goals 3. Support the establishment and operationalization of a Child Rights ‘desk’ in the National Commission on Human Rights, including through initial operational support	1. Technical Children’s Rights Coordinating Committee under the NHRAP Secretariat established and made functional 2. Support conducting sensitization and awareness raising sessions on the NHRAP children’s rights strategic goals 3. Support the functional Child Rights Desk in the Independent National Human Rights Commission

Total: 231 days

Qualification or specialized knowledge/experience/expertise required for the assignment:

• Advanced University degree (Master/PG) in the areas of political science, law, or other relevant areas with more than 5 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant work experience: Solid work experience in the area of child protection, child rights advocacy, preferably in the area of justice for children with engagement with justice professionals, academia, governments, including legislature and the UN including UNICEF with demonstrated ability to co-facilitate workshops, conduct field work and acting as co-trainers and organizing high level consultations and training workshop, including supporting revision of legislations.
• Knowledge of: Preferably in-depth knowledge of the legislature, domestic legislation around justice for children; and child protection.
• Language skills required: Fluency in English (oral and written), knowledge of other languages is an asset;
• Ability to work with legal experts and in a diverse environment and produce high quality work including in a team environment, within deadlines and under pressure;
• Other attributes: Facilitation and leadership skills, computer proficiency including Internet and Microsoft Office and ability to work independently.

General Terms and Conditions of the Contract:

• Under the consultancy agreements, payment is deliverable based as defined in the ToR
• All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant or Contractor.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.

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

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