Child Protection Advocacy Consultant, Child Protection, 3 months, Peshawar, Pakistan (for Pakistani Nationals only, Remote with travel)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, viewing it as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children and communities globally.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support the Government of Pakistan, specifically in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in strengthening child protection systems and addressing critical child rights challenges, particularly child marriage. Following the Committee on the Rights of the Child's Concluding Observations, this role will focus on translating international commitments into actionable policy and programmatic responses. The consultant will develop an advocacy framework, engage in targeted advocacy for legal and policy reform, strengthen local government ownership, and coordinate advocacy efforts. The ultimate goal is to contribute to a comprehensive legal framework aligned with international standards, reduce child marriage, and ensure the protection of children's rights in the province, thereby enhancing the overall child protection system.

Responsibilities

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNICEF and in close coordination with KPCPWC and LGRD. Key responsibilities include: A. Development of a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection Advocacy Framework: Design a comprehensive framework outlining strategies and actions for advocating for improved child protection policies and practices. B. Targeted Advocacy for Legal and Policy Reform: Engage in focused advocacy efforts to promote the reform of outdated legislation, such as the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929, and develop new legal frameworks aligned with international standards. C. Strengthening Local Government Ownership and Interoperable Systems: Work with local government bodies to enhance their commitment and capacity in child protection, ensuring the development and integration of interoperable systems for service delivery. D. Advocacy Engagement and Coordination: Facilitate high-level stakeholder consultations with government departments, commissions, and parliamentarians. Coordinate advocacy engagement with relevant national and provincial actors to ensure a unified and effective approach to child protection advocacy.

Work Experience

Minimum 8-10 years of relevant professional experience in policy development, legislative reform, advocacy, or child protection work. Demonstrated experience in child marriage prevention/reform, child protection systems strengthening, or provincial-level advocacy in Pakistan is required. Experience in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a strong asset.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of child protection issues in Pakistan, Expertise in child marriage prevention and reform, Knowledge of child rights legislation, Understanding of provincial child protection systems, Familiarity with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's legal and policy context, Strong expertise in policy and legislative advocacy, Ability to conduct legal/policy gap analysis, Experience developing advocacy strategies and policy briefs, Excellent analytical skills, Excellent writing skills, Excellent communication skills, Excellent facilitation skills

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