Consultant for Child Protection Needs Assessment

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Position Title: Consultant for Child Protection Needs Assessment
Location: Palestinian Territory
Country: Palestinian Territory
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 of approximately 13,000 employees globally, focusing on child protection, education, health, and nutrition among other areas. In the State of Palestine, UNICEF aims to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, where children face significant challenges due to ongoing instability.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to collaborate with the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CPAoR) team and the West Bank Needs Assessment Task Force to support the coordination and implementation of a comprehensive child protection needs assessment in the West Bank. This role involves developing assessment tools, coordinating the implementation process, and ensuring that the data collected provides a solid evidence base to inform child protection interventions. The consultant will also be responsible for analyzing assessment data, writing reports, and disseminating results in collaboration with the CPAoR. The assessment aims to identify key child protection needs and risks, determine the scale of these needs, assess barriers to accessing existing services, and evaluate the capacities of local and international actors to respond effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with CPAoR and the West Bank Needs Assessment Task Force to design and implement a child protection needs assessment.
• Develop assessment tools and methodologies tailored to the local context.
• Coordinate the implementation of the assessment, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
• Collect and analyze data related to child protection needs and risks in the West Bank.
• Write comprehensive reports detailing findings, recommendations, and action plans based on the assessment results.
• Disseminate results to stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, and government entities.
• Provide technical support and training to local partners on data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Ensure that the assessment process is participatory and inclusive, engaging children and communities in the evaluation of their needs.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Education, Health, Child Protection, Planning and Monitoring, or related fields.
• A minimum of seven years of experience working in child protection and/or monitoring and evaluation.
• Extensive experience in conducting needs assessments, particularly in child protection.
• Proven experience as a trainer, especially in research methodologies.
• Strong understanding of child protection issues in the Palestinian context.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, particularly in the West Bank.
• Superior analytical, conceptual, and writing skills.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and oral.
• Sound knowledge of the Palestinian humanitarian context.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Education, Health, Child Protection, Planning and Monitoring, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in child protection and the methodologies required for effective assessment and intervention.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in child protection and/or monitoring and evaluation. Candidates should have extensive experience in conducting needs assessments, particularly in the area of child protection, and should be familiar with the specific challenges and dynamics present in the Palestinian context. Experience in training others on research methodologies is also highly valued, as is a proven track record of working effectively in complex and challenging environments like the West Bank.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory for this position, encompassing both written and oral communication skills. This bilingual proficiency is crucial for effective engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and partners. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted under specific terms of reference (ToR) that outline the methodology, implementation phases, and expected deliverables. The selected candidate will not be considered a staff member under UN regulations and will not receive benefits such as leave entitlements or medical insurance. They will be responsible for their own tax liabilities and must ensure that any necessary visas and health insurance are valid for the duration of the contract. Additionally, candidates must confirm their fully-vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities.