Child Protection Advocacy Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development to its staff. UNICEF aims to create a culture of belonging and growth, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package to its employees.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Advocacy Consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNICEF and in close coordination with the Government of Balochistan and various provincial stakeholders. The consultant's primary role will be to develop a comprehensive advocacy framework for child protection in Balochistan, addressing critical issues such as child marriage, child labour, and violence against children. The consultant will be responsible for stakeholder mapping, drafting advocacy plans, analyzing legal and policy gaps, and facilitating consultations to validate the advocacy framework. The position requires a deep understanding of the child protection landscape in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, and the ability to engage with various stakeholders to promote legislative and policy reforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a Balochistan Child Protection Advocacy Framework, including stakeholder mapping and a concise advocacy plan.
• Draft a provincial Child Protection advocacy framework focusing on key areas such as violence against children, child marriage, and birth registration.
• Analyze legal and policy gaps in child protection and develop evidence-based advocacy messages.
• Prepare high-quality advocacy materials to support the Balochistan Child Protection Commission.
• Facilitate strategic consultations and policy dialogues with provincial stakeholders.
• Develop advocacy materials to strengthen local government ownership in child protection service delivery.
• Provide ongoing technical and advocacy inputs to relevant coordination platforms.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Law, Child Rights, Human Rights, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Social Work, or Gender Studies. They should have a minimum of 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in policy development, legislative reform, advocacy, or child protection work. Demonstrated experience in child protection systems strengthening and advocacy in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, is essential. Proven track record in conducting legal/policy gap analysis and facilitating high-level stakeholder consultations is required.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in relevant fields such as Law, Child Rights, Human Rights, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Social Work, or Gender Studies is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection issues and developing effective advocacy strategies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as policy development, legislative reform, advocacy, or child protection work. Candidates should have a strong background in child protection systems strengthening and experience in Balochistan will be considered a significant asset. Previous experience working with UNICEF or other UN agencies is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Urdu is mandatory. Knowledge of Pashto, Balochi, or Brahui is considered an asset, as it may enhance communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is 3 months, and the working arrangement is home-based. The position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment. UNICEF promotes diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children's rights.