Social and Environmental Safeguards Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting children's rights and well-being globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years, working in 190 countries and territories. The organization is known for being the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries and focuses on child health, nutrition, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 12,000 employees, UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, ensuring its independence and ability to advocate for children's rights effectively.

Job Overview:
The Social and Environmental Safeguards Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting UNICEF's Risk Management in Programming and Safeguarding (RMPS) Unit. This position is designed to enhance UNICEF's approach to Indigenous Peoples' rights within its social and environmental safeguarding framework. The consultant will be responsible for assessing and revising corporate policies and programming tools to align with Indigenous Peoples' rights and donor requirements. This role requires collaboration with various internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure that Indigenous knowledge and priorities inform decision-making processes. The consultant will also develop training materials, provide technical assistance to country offices, and create knowledge products that capture best practices and lessons learned in engaging with Indigenous communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include reviewing and mapping UNICEF's existing policies and procedures to ensure they incorporate Indigenous Peoples' rights perspectives. They will develop a compliance matrix to align UNICEF's framework with major funding partners' requirements, draft specific programming tools and guidance, and design training sessions on Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) related to Indigenous Peoples. The consultant will also be responsible for creating knowledge products, facilitating internal coordination mechanisms, and supporting engagement with Indigenous Peoples' organizations and donors. Additionally, they will provide technical support to country offices and develop a partnership strategy for engaging with Indigenous Peoples.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess expert knowledge of Indigenous Peoples' rights, with additional expertise in children's rights and human rights-based approaches being desirable. A minimum of 10 years of program experience related to the rights and development of Indigenous Peoples is required, including field experience at various levels. Knowledge of risk management and experience in drafting guidelines and training materials related to Indigenous Peoples are strong assets. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, with fluency in English required and knowledge of French and/or Spanish considered an asset. The ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural teams is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in Management, Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Social and Cultural Anthropology, History, Political/Social Sciences, or a related field is required. A combination of two relevant disciplines would be considered a strong asset.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant program experience focused on the rights and development of Indigenous Peoples. This experience should include fieldwork and exposure to both country and regional/global levels, demonstrating a deep understanding of the complexities involved in Indigenous rights advocacy and programming.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is considered advantageous, as it may facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in various contexts.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to last from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, and is primarily remote-based. Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and submit their academic credentials along with a financial proposal detailing costs per deliverable. UNICEF will cover any emergent travel expenses, and selected candidates must have valid health insurance coverage at the time of contract award. The position is not considered a staff member role under UN regulations, and consultants are responsible for their tax liabilities. Selected candidates will also need to confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely.