International Consultant for Child Protection and Family Support Law

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to reach the world's most disadvantaged children, saving lives, defending rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. UNICEF operates with a workforce dedicated to building a better world for every child, emphasizing hope and resilience in challenging environments.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant for Child Protection and Family Support Law involves providing technical expertise to support the Czech Republic's efforts in reforming its child protection policies. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and UNICEF's Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) to develop a comprehensive legal framework that aligns with international standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and EU regulations. The consultant will be responsible for drafting a new child protection and family support law, conducting a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), and ensuring that the legislation is grounded in fiscal analysis and sustainable practices. This role requires a deep understanding of child protection systems, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt international best practices to the local context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Providing expert technical support to UNICEF ECARO and MoLSA in drafting the comprehensive Child Protection and Family Support Law.
• Facilitating communication and collaboration between UNICEF, national experts, and Czech authorities.
• Compiling documentation of technical inputs for key deliverables, including the draft law, RIA, fiscal analysis, and communication plans.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement processes and documenting contributions to planning and facilitation of participatory mechanisms.
• Advising on the completion of UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme in the Czech Republic, including reviewing documentation of results and facilitating knowledge transfer.
• Ensuring that all deliverables are aligned with international standards and adapted to the specific context of the Czech Republic.
• Participating in key meetings and workshops, maintaining regular contact with relevant ministries and agencies, and providing logistical and operational support as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Law, International Law, International Relations, Public Policy, Human Rights, Child Protection, Social Sciences, or related fields. They should have at least 7 years of professional experience in child protection, including program management, technical support, and coordination with government and non-government actors. Experience with UNICEF or similar international organizations is advantageous. A good understanding of the Czech child protection system or similar EU contexts, particularly in legislative or policy reform, is essential. Candidates should also have experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing complex program components, as well as familiarity with UNICEF’s child protection priorities and programming approaches.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in relevant fields such as Law, International Law, International Relations, Public Policy, Human Rights, Child Protection, or Social Sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection laws and policies, as well as the international frameworks that guide them.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in child protection, with a focus on program management, technical support, and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government and non-government organizations. Candidates should have a proven track record of contributing to child protection law, policy, or strategy development, and experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and complex program components is essential. Familiarity with EU-funded programs is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and oral communication skills required. Basic knowledge of Czech is considered an advantage, as it will facilitate better communication and understanding of the local context.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 215 working days between September 2025 and November 202

• The consultant will work remotely but may need to travel for in-person engagements as required. All travel costs will be reimbursed according to UNICEF's travel policy. The consultant must adhere to UNICEF's rules and regulations regarding travel and must be fit to travel, possessing a valid UN BSAFE certificate and necessary vaccinations. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables, and all materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF.