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 Safety.

How can you make a difference?

This assignment aims to assess the extent to which the Common Rules are reflected in national legislation, policies, institutions and programmes across selected Inter-American countries; document promising practices and implementation gaps in restorative justice; and develop practical recommendations to accelerate implementation. The assignment will also contribute to operationalizing UNICEF’s Reimagine Justice for Children agenda, particularly its principles on diversion and prevention of detention.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0006104 ToR.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:
- An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, human rights, criminology, social sciences, public policy, international development or another relevant field.
- A first university degree combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, subject to applicable UNICEF requirements.
Work Experience:
- At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in justice for children, child protection, human rights, legal or policy reform, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience conducting high-quality comparative legal, policy and programme research.
- Proven experience reviewing laws, policies, strategies or programmes concerning children in conflict with the law, diversion, alternatives to detention or restorative justice.
- Experience working with governments, justice institutions, UN agencies or development partners and engaging multidisciplinary stakeholders.
- Experience producing concise, decision-oriented reports, technical guidance and knowledge products.
Language requirement:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Working proficiency in Spanish is required for review of primary sources and stakeholder engagement. Portuguese is highly desirable.

• Skills:

• Strong knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and international standards on child justice.

• Strong analytical skills, including transparent assessment of evidence quality, effectiveness, efficiency and data limitations.

• Excellent writing, editing, presentation and facilitation skills.

• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deliverables and collaborate effectively across regions and time zones.

Desirables:

Experience in Ibero-America or Latin America and the Caribbean.
Familiarity with UNICEF's Reimagine Justice for Children agenda.
Experience contributing to regional or global normative products and communities of practice.

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

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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal TMC0006104 Financial Proposal Template.docx

Technical proposal requirement:
- a brief technical proposal describing the proposed methodology and workplan; and
- three relevant writing samples

The proposal should explain how the applicant will assess implementation, effectiveness and efficiency where data availability and comparability vary across countries.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Child Protection Consultant, UNICEF Global Programme Division (GPD) – Child Protection, CoE Amman, Jordan, 8.5 months (remote) #595823