International Consultant for Child Protection and Family Support Law

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established to work in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children, operates in 190 countries and territories. Its mission is to save lives, defend rights, and help children fulfill their potential. UNICEF is committed to building a better world for everyone and never gives up on advocating for every child.

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) of the Czech Republic in drafting a comprehensive child protection and family support law. This law aims to unify and strengthen the national child protection system, which is currently fragmented despite the Czech Republic's commitment to international human rights standards. The consultant will work under the supervision of UNICEF’s Child Protection team and collaborate closely with national experts and key partners to ensure alignment with international best practices. The role involves delivering specific assignments outlined in the Terms of Reference, focusing on enhancing support for vulnerable children and families, and implementing legal and organizational changes necessary for effective governance and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for reviewing the emerging draft law and providing expert recommendations on statutory family support services, social service workforce reform, and mechanisms for coordinating services for at-risk children. They will ensure alignment with international standards, review technical inputs developed by national experts, and assess the clarity and feasibility of proposed inputs. The consultant will consolidate findings into actionable reports, lead in-person sessions on international best practices, and advise on the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) to analyze the new law's effects on governance and service delivery. They will engage with the Inter-ministerial Working Group to provide expert guidance on implementation mechanisms necessary for the successful rollout of the law.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Law, Social Work, Public Policy, Human Rights, Child Protection, Social Sciences, or related fields. They should have at least 8 years of professional experience in research, policy development, or technical assistance related to child protection system reform. Strong expertise in child protection legislation and policy development is essential, along with proven experience in conducting comparative analyses of good practices in child protection and family support services. Knowledge of EU child rights standards and inter-agency cooperation mechanisms is also required, along with excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Law, Social Work, Public Policy, Human Rights, Child Protection, or Social Sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection systems and the legal frameworks that govern them.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in areas related to child protection system reform, statutory family support services, or social service workforce development. Candidates should have a strong track record in legislative reform processes and comparative analysis of child protection practices, particularly within EU contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and oral communication skills. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not specified as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is remote-based, with the expectation of travel to the Czech Republic as needed. The contract is estimated to last for 35 working days between July and October 202

• Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables, and all materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF. Candidates must submit a professional fee based on the 35 working days, excluding travel fees, which will be reimbursed according to UNICEF travel policy. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.