Consultant Chargé de Protection de l’Enfance – Appui au projet « Himaya wa Tamkine »

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. With a mission to promote the rights and well-being of every child, UNICEF operates in over 150 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to improving children's lives. The organization focuses on various areas including education, health, nutrition, and protection, ensuring that all children, especially the most vulnerable, have access to essential services and support. UNICEF's work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, advocating for children's rights and working to create a world where every child can thrive.

Job Overview:
The Consultant Chargé de Protection de l’Enfance will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the 'Himaya wa Tamkine' project, which aims to strengthen child protection systems at the territorial level in Morocco. This position involves coordinating efforts with local authorities and stakeholders to ensure that vulnerable children, including those in conflict with the law and migrant children, have access to quality protective services. The consultant will be responsible for providing technical assistance to child protection actors, promoting coordination between social services and judicial protection actors, and ensuring that the project aligns with UNICEF's global strategies. The consultant will also facilitate training and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills of local partners in child protection standards and practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting provincial child protection actors in collecting data on vulnerable children and preparing detailed reports.
• Facilitating a shared understanding of child protection dimensions among stakeholders, focusing on governance principles and operational frameworks.
• Participating in strategic meetings with key stakeholders to raise awareness of their responsibilities in establishing and operationalizing child protection systems.
• Enhancing the participation of associations, particularly those with UPE status, in provincial committees to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of child protection measures.
• Developing local partners' capacities regarding international child protection standards, particularly concerning children's rights and case management mechanisms.
• Ensuring regular communication with UNICEF and implementation partners through weekly reports detailing the situation of vulnerable children supported by the project.
• Coordinating and technically supervising activities necessary for achieving action plans and reporting to local stakeholders and UNICEF.
• Establishing a functional communication system among stakeholders and monitoring the efficiency and effectiveness of interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, law, or other social sciences. A minimum of 6 years of experience in implementing child protection programs or related fields at national and local levels is required. Previous field experience is essential, along with a background in developing and managing programs involving local actors. Candidates should have a solid understanding of the roles of local actors in child protection and their interactions. Experience in case management for children in difficult situations is necessary, as well as a strong knowledge of children's rights and child protection systems. Excellent written and oral communication skills in Arabic and French are mandatory, with English being an asset. Candidates should demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to lead and facilitate multi-partner collaboration.

Educational Background:
A university degree or higher education in international development, human rights, psychology, law, or other relevant social sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection and the legal frameworks that govern children's rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in child protection program implementation or related fields. Candidates must demonstrate a strong track record of working with local actors and managing interventions that involve vulnerable populations, particularly children. Field experience is essential to ensure practical understanding and application of child protection principles in real-world scenarios.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and French is mandatory for this position, as these languages are essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and partners. Proficiency in English is considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with international partners and resources.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is a national position open to individual consultants in Morocco. The contract duration is set for 8 months, starting from the date of contract signing. The consultant will be compensated based on partial invoicing after the delivery and validation of specific deliverables by UNICEF. The total implementation period for the mission is 80 working days spread over the 8 months. All candidates must submit a complete application, including a technical offer, financial offer, and relevant documentation, by the deadline of December 14, 202

• Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.