UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to protection

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The objective of this international consultancy is to provide technical guidance on the two major initiatives undertaken by UNICEF Georgia:

Development of the context-tailored concept and piloting of the child rights impact assessment mechanism (CRIA)
Development of the child rights training materials and contributing to the training of child rights trainers (ToT)

Scope of Work

UNICEF seeks to engage an international consultant to provide high-level technical guidance for a comprehensive initiative aimed at strengthening child-rights-based governance and accountability at the municipal level through the introduction of the Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) mechanism to strengthen the capacities of duty bearers, while simultaneously empowering children as rights holders and agents of change.

While the CRIA mechanism aims to strengthen the ability of municipal actors to make child-rights-based decisions, the child empowerment component seeks to ensure that children are informed, empowered, and capable of meaningfully participating in decisions affecting their lives. Together, these efforts contribute to the effective implementation of the child rights framework at both institutional and community levels.

Child Rights Impact Assessment Mechanism

First recommended by the UN Committee¹, the child rights impact assessment (CRIA) has been recognized as the best practice for ensuring child-rights-based approach in decision-making process in the development of policies, laws, programmes and services. Furthermore, the Code on the Rights of the Child² mandates the Parliament, the Government and the municipalities to enforce a Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) mechanism in the law-making and budget-planning processes, development and implementation of programs that have direct or indirect impacts on the rights of a child or groups of children.

UNICEF initiated introducing CRIA at municipal level which involved analytical work of reviewing best international practices and development of a draft concept in cooperation with the National Association of Municipal Authorities of Georgia (NALAG). The follow-up work will focus on building awareness, further advancement of a context-tailored CRIA model and its pilot in the three selected municipalities. A final CRIA package will include a key concept of context-tailored CRIA model, tools and templates, and clear guidance on key roles, procedures and timelines. As part of the awareness and capacity-building component, in-person trainings will be organized for the municipal authorities which will be followed by mentoring in the process of piloting the CRIA model in relation to selected programmes and/or services. Ultimately, the pilot will create a possibility to undertake actions, observe, analyze the lessons learnt and develop key recommendations for full-scale implementation of CRIA.

Empowering Children as Rights Holders

In Georgia there is a lack of awareness of children’s rights both within the public society and among professionals. Children are not widely seen as rights holders, and legal representation strategies are typically discussed only with their parents, rather than involving the children directly. This leaves children inadequately informed about their own rights, as they often do not receive age-appropriate or accessible information. This results in an information gap that significantly limits the child’s agency and ability to participate in decisions affecting their lives³. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child mandates the States parties to raise awareness on children’s rights and to ensure that child rights education is directed to the development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms⁴. Furthermore, the Law of Georgia - the Code on the Rights of the Child (art. 15)⁵ provides the right of children to receive information about their rights and freedoms and to access effective child-friendly justice mechanisms and remedies when the rights are violated.

The cooperation between UNICEF and Caucasus University aims to raise awareness of children’s rights in Georgia and empowerment of children as rights holders through the engagement of university Child Rights Centers. To achieve this goal, the key objectives are to develop a comprehensive set of non-formal educational resources on children’s rights, trainer`s manual for child rights trainers/educators and to prepare highly qualified child rights trainers/facilitators through training of trainers (ToT). Representatives of the Child Rights Centers, together with the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia and the Legal Aid Service, will be actively involved in the implementation of the initiative. They will also use the developed materials while carrying out awareness raising and educational activities with children within their mandate. The educational materials will be developed based on consultations with professionals as well as with children themselves on the key thematic including child participation in decision-making processes in the family, at schools, and local municipalities.

Synergies Between Child Rights Impact Assessment and Child Empowerment Initiative

The Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) mechanism and child empowerment initiatives are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing. While CRIA institutionalizes the systematic integration of children’s rights into budget planning, policy development, and the design and implementation of programmes and services, child empowerment initiatives, particularly those emphasizing meaningful child participation, strengthen conditions necessary for effective CRIA implementation and, ultimately, enhance children’s participation in decision-making processes. Empowering children as rights holders strengthens their ability to articulate informed views and directly contributes to the child consultation component of CRIA, ensuring that budgetary and programme decisions are better aligned with children’s needs, experiences and priorities. In this way, strengthened child participation not only advances children’s rights in itself but also improves the quality, relevance and effectiveness of CRIA processes.

Role of the International Consultant

UNICEF seeks to contract an international consultant who will provide overall technical guidance across both components in a coherent and complementary manner. The consultant will be expected to provide technical guidance for the development and refinement of a context-tailored CRIA model and related package, the design and implementation of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for municipal authorities; the piloting of the CRIA mechanism and recommendations for the full-scale implementation; the development of child rights training resources; and to the design and delivery introductory part of Training of Trainers (ToT). The international consultant is expected to work closely with UNICEF Child Protection and Social Policy teams, as well as with national experts involved in the implementation of the initiative.

Work Assignments, Deliverables, Timeline

1. Technical Guidance for the CRIA Model and Capacity-Building Activities

Work assignment: Provide key technical guidance for the development and refinement of the context-tailored CRIA model and related package, and the design of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities for municipal authorities on CRIA.

Deliverable/Output: A report of key guidance notes on CRIA model and on relevant actions for awareness-raising/capacity building for the municipal authorities.

Timeline: 5 working days

2. Technical Guidance for the CRIA Pilot and Recommendations for Next Steps

Work assignment: Provide technical guidance for piloting CRIA at municipal level and development of the recommendations for next steps.

Deliverable/Output: A report with a summary of observations on the pilot phase and key recommendations for next steps.

Timeline: 5 working days

3. Child Rights Training Resources and Training of Trainers

Work assignment: Provide technical guidance for the development of child rights training resources; and to the design and delivery of an introductory part of the Training of Trainers (ToT).

Deliverable/Output: A report with a summary of recommendations/guidance notes, brief ToT report with respective recommendations.

Timeline: 5 working days

Total estimated dates: 15 Days

Duration: September -October 2026

Location: Home-based

Travel: In country travel is foreseen

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:
Minimum qualification: Master’s or PhD in law, international law, social science, or related fields. The source document indicates the qualification options as Bachelors / Masters / PhD / Other, with Masters and PhD selected.

Work Experience:
At least 10 years of working experience child rights, including policy and legislative development and implementation
Extensive experience of working with various governments on reforming the legislative systems for children
Solid experience in developing Child Rights Impact Assessment tools and methodologies
Excellent knowledge of relevant international standards and practice in the area of child rights
Solid academic experience in child rights, including developing child rights programmes and teaching
Excellent communication and negotiation skills in English.
Excellent writing skills in English
Previous experience of collaboration with the UN/UNICEF, is an asset.

References and Footnotes

¹ UN CRC General Comment 5 on General Measures of Implementation and General Comment 19 on Public Budgeting for the Realization of Children`s Rights

² Articles 82 (1, 3.c), 96 (1,3,4)

³ Please also see UNICEF Study on Child-Friendly Justice in Georgia – Concept for Implementation in Practice, 2023

https://www.unicef.org/georgia/media/8886/file/ChildFriendly%20Justice%20in%20Georgia%20%E2%80%93%20Concept%20for%20Implementation%20in%20Practice.pdf

⁴ Article 29 (b), 42

⁵ Law of Georgia – the Code on the Rights of the Child, adopted on 20/09/2019, last amended on 14/05/2025

https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/4613854?impose=translateEn&publication=4

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role].

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates’ willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel.
Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

International Consultant to support the introduction of child rights impact assessment (CRIA) at municipal level and empowering children as rights holders, Tbilisi, Georgia