Consultant for Child Protection System Strengthening

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission 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 has a long-standing reputation as a collaborative partner and has made significant strides in improving health, education, and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka over the past 50 years. The organization works closely with national and international partners to address challenges faced by children and to create environments that enable them to thrive.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide technical assistance to UNICEF and the Department of Probation and Child Care Services (DPCCS) in strengthening the national child protection system. This role involves developing standardized case management guidelines for responding to violence against children (VAC), creating accompanying information management indicators, and institutionalizing these practices through training curricula and capacity building for probation officers in targeted provinces (Central, Northern, and Eastern). The consultancy supports the implementation of the Model Continuum of Services for Child Victims of Violence, launched in September 2025, and aims to ensure that children in Sri Lanka can withstand challenges and leverage opportunities for their development. The consultant is expected to work from March to September 2026, with approximately 105 working days dedicated to this project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include:

• Developing case management guidelines for responding to violence against children.
• Creating information management indicators that align with the case management guidelines.
• Developing training materials on child abuse case management for probation officers, ensuring these materials are institutionalized within national and provincial training curricula.
• Conducting basic, initial, and continuous training for probation officers and related stakeholders on case management in response to violence in the targeted provinces.
• Collaborating with government agencies to train a pool of master trainers and co-leading training sessions.
• Overseeing the implementation of the case management guidelines in cooperation with government and civil society organization partners in the target provinces.
• Preparing an overview of existing national guidelines and international best practices related to child abuse case management.
• Following up on the endorsement of the developed guidelines and ensuring continuous capacity building.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in social work, psychology, human rights, development studies, or a relevant domain in social sciences. They should have a minimum of 7-10 years of relevant professional experience working on children's rights, child protection, and social service workforce strengthening. Additionally, candidates should have expert-level knowledge in child protection and the legal system in Sri Lanka, as well as experience in developing guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training programs related to child protection.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in social work, psychology, human rights, development studies, or a related field in social sciences is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of child protection issues.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7-10 years of relevant professional experience. Candidates should have demonstrable experience in child protection, including working with government and non-governmental organizations, developing guidelines and training programs, and providing technical assistance. Experience in leading initiatives and collaborating with diverse stakeholders is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, along with proficiency in either Sinhala or Tamil. Effective oral and written communication skills in these languages are crucial for the role, as the consultant will be required to interact with various stakeholders and deliver training materials.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 6 months, with a total of 105 working days. The consultant will be based in Colombo, with the possibility of working from home or UNICEF offices. Frequent travel to the Central, Northern, and Eastern provinces is required, totaling around 30 days within the consultancy period. Remuneration will be based on deliverables, and the consultant must submit a financial proposal that includes an all-inclusive fee. UNICEF will reimburse in-country travel expenses as per the agreed plan. Applications must include a resume and relevant documents, and candidates should indicate their availability and fee in LKR. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.