Child Protection 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. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to create a safe and supportive environment for children and families worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Consultant position is focused on advancing the protection of children in Serbia and strengthening the capacities of government and key actors. The role emphasizes family strengthening, prevention of child separation, and promoting a safe, family-based environment for every child. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist and will be responsible for providing technical and operational assistance in child protection projects and initiatives. This includes supporting the effective implementation of UNICEF's child protection and family strengthening programming and advising on various child protection areas. The consultant will also engage with local and national stakeholders to ensure the successful coordination of multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing child welfare.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the effective implementation of UNICEF's child protection and family strengthening programming.
• Advise on a broad range of child protection areas, ensuring that UNICEF's technical assistance role is fulfilled.
• Collaborate with local and national child protection stakeholders to coordinate project implementation.
• Contribute to the development of strategies that address child protection challenges in Serbia.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of child protection initiatives, providing feedback and recommendations for improvement.
• Facilitate training and capacity-building activities for stakeholders involved in child protection.
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF's policies and procedures in all project activities.
• Prepare reports and documentation related to project outcomes and stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications:

• A university degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or related fields.
• At least seven years of work experience related to child protection, childcare reform, and family strengthening.
• Proven experience in coordinating the implementation of projects involving local and national child protection stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of the child protection regulatory framework.
• Demonstrated experience in collaboration with key child protection stakeholders.
• Experience in child protection in both emergency and development contexts.
• Strong ability to manage multiple tasks and adhere to strict deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Educational Background:
A university degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other related fields is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address the complexities of child protection and family strengthening.

Experience:
The position requires at least seven years of relevant work experience in child protection, childcare reform, and family strengthening. This experience should include coordinating projects that involve collaboration with local and national child protection stakeholders, as well as a solid understanding of the regulatory framework governing child protection. Experience in both emergency and development contexts is also crucial, as it equips the consultant with the skills needed to navigate various challenges in child welfare.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, along with fluency in Serbian. These language skills are essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful implementation of child protection initiatives. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is approximately 11 months, and the working arrangement is home-based. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.