Consultant for Child Rights Protection

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a global organization dedicated to advocating for children's rights and ensuring their well-being in over 190 countries and territories. With a mission guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF works collaboratively with various partners to promote and protect the rights of every child. The organization prides itself on fostering a culture that supports staff development and offers diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside a competitive compensation and benefits package. UNICEF's commitment to children's rights is not merely a job; it is a calling that drives its staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children worldwide.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is integral to UNICEF's efforts in Cuba, particularly in the context of the ongoing transformation of the legal and institutional framework for the protection of children's rights. The consultant will provide specialized technical assistance in drafting, reviewing, and updating legal norms, technical protocols, methodological tools, and training actions aimed at strengthening the system of protection for children and adolescents. This role requires a comprehensive approach that combines legal analysis, normative drafting, institutional protocol design, professional training proposals, applied research, and the identification of best practices. The consultant's work will align with international standards and be adapted to the Cuban context, ensuring that the rights of children are effectively integrated into the legal framework and public policies. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering high-quality outputs within agreed timelines, contributing to the establishment of a more effective and rights-centered protection system for children and adolescents in Cuba.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: conducting legal analysis and drafting normative documents; designing institutional protocols for action; proposing professional training programs; conducting applied research; monitoring processes and identifying best practices; ensuring alignment with international standards such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child; maintaining high technical and legal rigor in all deliverables; incorporating a rights-based approach, gender considerations, and child participation in all processes; and developing training proposals for legal operators, protection system actors, social workers, and technical staff from key institutions. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering specific outputs, including protocols, resolutions, reports, and methodological guidelines, all aimed at enhancing the protection of children's rights in Cuba.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this consultancy, candidates must possess a Master's degree in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related fields. Additionally, postgraduate studies in children's rights, procedural law, or international human rights law are highly desirable. Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in areas related to children's rights, social protection, or legal frameworks. Demonstrated experience in drafting, reviewing, or implementing legal norms, public policies, or institutional protocols related to children and adolescents is essential. Experience working with or for state institutions, justice systems, protection agencies, or United Nations agencies is also required. Furthermore, candidates should have experience in designing training programs, developing educational materials, and facilitating capacity-building processes for legal operators, social workers, or other institutional actors.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related disciplines. Additional qualifications such as postgraduate studies in children's rights, procedural law, or international human rights law are preferred, as they provide a deeper understanding of the legal frameworks and standards relevant to the protection of children's rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in fields related to children's rights and social protection. Candidates should have a proven track record in the development, review, or implementation of legal norms, public policies, or institutional protocols concerning children and adolescents. Experience in working with state institutions, justice systems, and protection agencies, as well as with United Nations agencies, is highly valued. Additionally, candidates should have experience in designing training programs and conducting evaluations of programs related to children's rights.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, given the context of the consultancy in Cuba. Proficiency in English is also desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and access to relevant resources and documentation.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted remotely, with no requirement for the consultant to visit UNICEF premises or interact directly with communities. The specific duration of the contract and compensation details are not provided in the job description. However, it is important to note that 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. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any applicable taxes.