UNICEF works in some of the world\'s toughest places, to reach the world\'s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hope

UNICEF Gulf Area Office (GAO) supports the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its line ministries and authorities to advance the rights of children under the framework of a Gulf Area Programme (2019-2023). Through this framework, UNICEF GAO signed AWPs with its partners in the UAE, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC) and Sharjah Child Friendly Office (SCFO) to work on key areas in collaboration with different authorities (both public and private) to implement programmes on Early Childhood Development (ECD 1000 days), Child Protection, Data, and Child Friendly City Initiative (CFCI). With COVID19 pandemic that impacted children and adolescents worldwide, UNICEF expanded its programming engagement in the country, to include child protection related issues such as child protection online, mental health and psychosocial support, social work force strengthening and overall strengthening of child protection systems. The programme also seeks to support overall policy reforms and capacity in the area of early childhood development and data for children. Other key partners that UNICEF is currently engaged with include Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, Department of Community Development among others. Since the recognition of Sharjah as Child Friendly City in May 2018, UNICEF GAO has supported the Sharjah Child Friendly Office (SCFO) in the implementation of actions plans developed to meet the CFCI standards outlined in guidance documents prepared. These action plans were endorsed by the government of Sharjah which expressed the commitment to attaining the goals and results outlined in the action plan. This political commitment has translated into direct results for children and their families in the Emirate of Sharjah. The work in Sharjah is also reflected in the UNICEF GAO Area Programme Document (APD 2019-2023) where one of strategic priorities include partnerships and leveraging commitment for children. In 2021, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) announced that the UAE will host the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in 2023. UAE has demonstrated its climate ambition during recent years by announcing a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The country has also been responsible for developing innovative green projects which aim to reduce fossil fuel consumption and promote climate resilient development. COP 28 provides a major opportunity for the country to provide a child-focused perspective on the ongoing climate change crisis, both domestically and globally. UNICEF is actively engaged with key partners, including the MOE, for advocacy for child rights and for promoting children\'s participation at COP 28. UNICEF is seeking a consultant to be based in the UAE to work with the programme team in Abu Dhabi to support its work plans with key partners including sustaining and further developing strong working relationships with key government counterparts.

How can you make a difference?

The consultancy seeks to deepen and strengthen UNICEF\'s contribution in the country towards realizing child rights and child protection.

Key tasks will include the following:

1.Support child protection efforts in the country, including through strengthening coordination and coordinated case management.

2. Support the finalization and launch of the ECD 1000 materials and the training of service providers, the strategy to promote the online resources/platform, and the execution of the first phase of the promotional campaign in consultation with the Ministry of Health.

3.Support the roll-out of the MHPSS tools developed in the country in coordination with the Emirati Schools Establishment (ESE).

4.In coordination with the UNICEF Communication team and DU and Du, support the launch of a national level campaign on mental health

5.Support the children\'s participation component of COP 28 including the roll out of the U-report in UAE, with at least 3 capacity building programmes for UNICEF youth advocates and children\'s parliament members organized and facilitating outreach programmes by children

6.Coordinate meetings and discussion with relevant stakeholders to track the implementation of AWP with SCFO and SCMC on CFCI which includes: Roll out of the current CFCI standards, development of an implementation and sustainability plan for the CFCI and Urban standards, the preparatory work for global Conference on Child-Friendly Cities, and the development of a framework and set of indicators for monitoring and evaluation of child friendly cities globally.

7. Support scaling up and institutionalization of parenting programmes in coordination with the Programme Lead and other relevant colleges.

8. Development of concept notes/background notes for programme expansion

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have\xe2\x80\xa6

• Education: A minimum of a master\'s degree in Social Sciences, social work, or another relevant field.

• Experience: Demonstrable at least 10 years\' experience in child rights, child protection and adolescent development. Experience in climate change related work is desirable.

• Experience with the government sector as well as UN agencies

• Previous experiences and exposure to the Arab/Gulf region context

• Skills: Demonstrable expertise in communication and presentation skills and ability to interact professionally with government officials. Ability to work within an international and multicultural environment.

• Language: Fluent in Arabic and English (written and spoken).

For every Child, you demonstrate\xe2\x80\xa6

UNICEF\'s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit .

UNICEF is here to serve the world\'s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. , irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered \xe2\x80\x9cstaff members\xe2\x80\x9d under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF\'s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

Advertised: 14 May 2023 Jordan Standard Time
Deadline: 28 May 2023 Jordan Standard Time

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