Contract Duration- 6 Months

Working arrangement: Home based

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Pakistan, as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), remains committed to strengthening national and sub-national child protection systems. Following the submission of its combined sixth and seventh periodic reports, the Government of Pakistan received the CRC Concluding Observations 2026. There is now a critical need to translate these observations into a context-specific, actionable, and monitorable plan—particularly at the provincial level—to strengthen coordination and ensure effective follow-up on Pakistan’s international obligations. UNICEF continues to play a central role by providing technical assistance to both federal and provincial governments in this process.

In Punjab, structural vulnerabilities, geographic dispersion, and gaps in service delivery infrastructure present additional challenges to realizing children’s rights. Aligning provincial priorities with the CRC Concluding Observations 2026 is therefore essential. Provincial advocacy efforts must emphasize sustainability, increase public investment, and strengthen institutional mechanisms for child protection. Key thematic priorities include child protection risk prevention, violence against children, child marriage, child labour, low birth registration coverage, limited access to justice for children, and inadequate alternative care system - issues that are particularly acute in remote and underserved districts.

While Punjab has taken important steps through approved Child Protection Policy, enactment of Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026, Punjab Prohibition of Children Employment Act 2016, Labour Code 2026 and enactment of Punjab Destitute and neglected Children Act 2004, implementation remains uneven. Persistent gaps include:

Limited operationalization of child protection institutions/services and coordination mechanisms across Punjab.
Weak regulatory frameworks for childcare institutions and alternative care systems.
Absence or underutilization of dedicated child protection financing mechanisms.
Inadequate human resources, particularly a trained social service workforce.
Insufficient integration of child protection within social protection and justice systems.

These challenges are compounded by systemic constraints such as inadequate prioritization of child protection in provincial planning and budgeting, weak interdepartmental coordination, weak implementation of CP Policy provisions and limited ownership across key line departments (e.g., CPWB, social welfare, health, education, police). Addressing these gaps requires stronger governance, decentralized service delivery models, and sustained, evidence-based advocacy. Building political will, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering meaningful engagement with civil society and community leaders will be critical to establishing a more responsive and resilient child protection system in Punjab.

Given the high-level of engagement with partners for the assignment, the tight timelines to implement in the existing country programme, and the limited availability of in-house human resources, engaging an individual consultant is considered the most appropriate and efficient opƟon to successfully complete this assignment.

Purpose of the Activity/assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical support for the development and contextualization of a comprehensive child protection advocacy framework aligned with the child protection–related CRC Concluding Observations 2026 and the Child Protection Policy implementation Framework, tailored to the provincial context of Punjab. The consultancy will include stakeholder mapping to inform strategic advocacy pathways aimed at increasing public financing for child protection. This will involve identifying key parliamentarians, influencers, and decision-makers who shape child protection budgeting, policies, public resource allocation, and sustainability. The assignment will ensure that provincial child protection priorities are translated into a practical, context-sensitive advocacy approach that reflects local realities.

The framework will guide provincial authorities in advocating for, implementing, and monitoring the CRC CO 2026 recommendations to strengthen the child protection system in Punjab. A key focus will be supporting the provincial government, particularly the Child Protection & Welfare Bureau and relevant line departments—to develop a coordinated and coherent advocacy approach that addresses geographic disparities, resource constraints, and service delivery limitations.

UNICEF will support the Government of Punjab in advancing strategic advocacy for priority legal and policy reforms, including a road map for effective implementation of the Punjab Child Protection Policy (2025). The assignment will emphasize strengthening governance and coordination mechanisms, enhancing institutionalization of regulatory frameworks/road map for child protection and alternative care services, and advocating for increased and sustained public funding—especially for CP Case Management system and Child Protection Units (CPUs). All deliverables will be aligned with the child protection–focused CRC Observations 2026 pertinent to Punjab Province and will contribute to the establishment of an enabling environment for a sustainable, inclusive, and accountable child protection system in Punjab.

Scope of Work:

Under the overall supervision of UNICEF, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

A. Development of a Provincial Child Protection Advocacy Framework and Action Plan aligned with CP related CRC Concluding observations 2026 and Punjab CP Policy.

· Draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the provincial child protection coordination mechanism (e.g taskforce/working group) to strengthen coordination, monitoring, and reporting on CRC CO 2026 and CP Policy implementation in Punjab.

· Stakeholder mapping to inform advocacy pathways. For example, identify key Parliamentarians and other influencers/decision makers for budgeting, policies, etc.

· Develop a Punjab-specific Child Protection Advocacy Framework to support child protection system strengthening focusing on violence against children, child marriage, child labour, birth registration, justice for children, and alternative care.

· Based on the Advocacy Framework, develop a provincial Action Plan for the implementation of child protection province related CRC CO 2026 and roadmap for implementation of Punjab CP Policy in close collaboration with provincial departments (CPWB, Social Welfare, Health, Education, Home, Labour, P&D), ensuring alignment with national CRC reporting structures and policy provisions respectively.

· Facilitate provincial multi-stakeholder consultations/policy dialogue including government, civil society, and development partners to validate the Action Plan and the Advocacy Framework, ensuring participation from remote and underserved districts.

· Finalize the Action Plan and Advocacy Framework, clearly outlining departmental roles, responsibilities, a resource mobilization strategy, and a monitoring framework to support coordinated implementation and reporting.

B. Provincial Legal, Policy, and Budget Analysis for a Child Protection Business Case in Punjab

· Using findings from the 2025 evaluation of child protection case management, and building on existing work, conduct a concise review of relevant legislation, policies, rules, SOPs, and standards, including the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act and related frameworks, develop actionable recommendations.

· Analyze legal, policy, and implementation gaps, with a particular focus on advocacy-relevant bottlenecks, such as governance, coordination, financing, and institutional mandates.

· Develop clear advocacy messages and reform justifications tailored to Punjab while in alignment with the CRC, CP related CRC CO 2026, UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, and other relevant frameworks; develop clear advocacy messages and reform justifications tailored to Punjab.

· Prepare high-quality advocacy and briefing materials, policy briefs, talking points, and support strategic policy engagement and advocacy dialogues with key provincial stakeholders to build consensus and political will for legislative reform and public finance for child protection.

· Provide actionable guidance to translate approved legal and policy provisions into implementable measures with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and resource implications.

· Finalize the Advocacy Framework with a resource mobilization plan and monitoring framework to support coordinated implementation of CRC CO 2026 at the provincial level.

· Validate the Advocacy Framework through targeted consultations with key provincial stakeholders including CPWB, Social Welfare, Law, Home, P&D, Finance, Police, Judiciary, and civil society.

C. Promoting an Enabling Environment for Advancing the Child Protection Agenda in Punjab

· Provide technical and advocacy inputs to strengthen and operationalize provincial child protection policies and strategies, including development of policy briefs, talking points, and justification notes for authorities’ approval.

· Provide advocacy-oriented technical support to provincial coordination platforms, technical working groups, and interdepartmental forums to facilitate consensus-building and evidence-informed decision-making.

· Support the development of implementation plans for approved CP Policy through participatory and consultative processes.

· Facilitate notification, adoption, and operationalization of SOPs, Rules, and minimum care standards by preparing implementation notes, decision briefs, and tailored advocacy materials for senior provincial leadership.

· Support the Government of Punjab in reviewing and drafting amendments to the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2024 and related Rules, particularly regarding:

o Strengthening institutional mandates, coordination mechanisms, and oversight functions.

o Enhancing regulation and monitoring of alternative care and childcare institutions.

o Advocating for the establishment and operationalization of a dedicated Child Protection Public Fund for sustainable financing.

Note:

Briefing notes, presentations, and advocacy materials will be prepared throughout the consultancy to support policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based advocacy at provincial and district levels.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File Terms of Reference TMC0004303.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Child Rights, Public Policy, International Development, Sociology, Social Work, Law, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field.
Additional certifications/training in child protection, safeguarding, CRC, monitoring and evaluation, or public sector planning will be considered an asset.

Work Experience:

· Minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant professional experience in legal and policy reform, preferably in child protection, child rights and social protection. Demonstrated professional experience in child protection, child rights programming, public sector policy/planning, and institutional strengthening.

· Demonstrated experience in child protection reform, child protection systems strengthening, or provincial-level advocacy in Pakistan (experience in Punjab will be a strong asset).

· Proven track record in conducting legal/policy gap analysis, developing advocacy frameworks/strategies, and facilitating high-level stakeholder consultations with government departments, authorities, child right/human right commissions, and parliamentarians at provincial level.

· Previous experience working with UNICEF, UN agencies, or international development partners is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Urdu is required; knowledge of Punjabi is an asset

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Listed requirements will be used for technical evaluation in the competitive process

1. Demonstrated experience drafting or reviewing legislation, policies, and rules in Pakistan.

2. Strong knowledge of CRC, Punjab CP Policy, alternative care, and child protection systems.

3. Proven ability to engage government counterparts and facilitate consultative processes.

4. Excellent analytical writing and communication skills.

5. In-depth knowledge of child protection issues in Pakistan, legislative framework, provincial child protection systems, and Punjab’s legal and policy context.

6. Strong expertise in policy and legislative advocacy, including conducting legal/policy gap analysis, developing advocacy strategies, policy briefs, talking points, and facilitating high-level stakeholder consultations.

7. Excellent analytical, writing, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to work independently under tight deadlines and integrate gender, equity, and inclusion perspectives.

Desirables:

• Prior working experience with UNICEF or other UN agencies.

• Specific experience in child protection related work.

• Policy-level working experience in child protection programmes, including development of policy documents, strategies, and advocacy materials.

• Proven contribution to child protection law reforms or similar legislative advocacy processes.

• Experience in developing and validating provincial advocacy frameworks.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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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 (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial Proposal Template TMC0004303.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal: Brief technical proposal mainly methodology or implementation strategy and workplan with timelines

Remarks:

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

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Consultant - Strengthening of Policy and Governance Framework for Child Protection System in Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, Remotely, 6 Months. (OPEN FOR NATIONALS OF PAKISTAN ONLY)Req#