National consultant to support implementation of child protection activities in preventing harmful practices and violence against children (Homebased with occasional office presence as required)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of children's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The National Consultant will provide crucial technical support to UNICEF's initiatives aimed at preventing harmful practices and violence against children. This role is vital for strengthening national and community capacities, specifically by assisting key government ministries, including the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (MoWECP) and the Ministry of Population and Family Development (BKKBN). The consultant will focus on enhancing family-based services and parenting programs designed to combat child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and other forms of violence against children. Additionally, the consultant will engage with children and youth organizations to promote advocacy efforts. A key aspect of this role involves mainstreaming violence prevention within the education sector through coordination with relevant ministries and contributing technical expertise to policy discussions and key documents. The consultant will also play a role in generating demand for child protection services by implementing community-based social and behavior change interventions to reduce stigma against survivors of violence.

Responsibilities

The National Consultant will be responsible for providing technical support to UNICEF's child protection activities focused on preventing harmful practices and violence against children. This includes strengthening national and community capacities by assisting the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (MoWECP) and the Ministry of Population and Family Development (BKKBN) in improving family-based services and parenting programs. The consultant will address critical issues such as child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and violence against children. Engagement with children and youth organizations for advocacy purposes will also be a key responsibility. The role involves mainstreaming violence prevention in education by coordinating with relevant ministries and contributing technical inputs to key documents and policy discussions. Furthermore, the consultant will support efforts to generate demand for child protection services through community-based social and behavior change interventions aimed at reducing stigma against women and child survivors of violence. This includes strengthening the capacity of service providers to deliver inclusive and sensitive care, and enhancing coordination between community mechanisms, UPTD PPA, and other child protection services to improve case management, referral mechanisms, and build community trust. The consultant will also contribute to generating demand for child protection services by reducing stigma against women and child survivors of violence through community-based social and behaviour change interventions.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in child protection, with a specific focus on preventing harmful practices and violence against children. Demonstrated expertise in capacity building is required. Strong communication and facilitation skills are considered an asset.

Skills

Child protection, Prevention of harmful practices, Violence against children, Capacity building, Technical support, Community engagement, Policy analysis, Advocacy, Social and behavior change, Case management, Coordination, Report writing

Explore related opportunities