Senior Consultant to support the development of the social work council in Rwanda (Nationals only, remote)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to serving children and communities worldwide, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal growth in a passionate and inclusive culture.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support the development of a law governing social work practice and the establishment of a Social Work Council in Rwanda. The consultant will lead a participatory process to design the necessary legal, institutional, and operational frameworks. The goal is to create a functional, accountable, and sustainable system that advances a clear normative framework for social service workforce functions, a mature supervision and support system, and a robust licensing and accreditation system. This initiative is crucial for improving the quality, consistency, and accountability of social services, thereby strengthening Rwanda's child protection system and enhancing outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities

The consultant will lead a participatory and inclusive process for the development of a law governing social work practice and the establishment of a Social Work Council in Rwanda. This involves designing the legal, institutional, and operational frameworks required for a functional, accountable, and sustainable system. Key responsibilities include establishing a clear and enforceable normative framework for social service workforce functions, developing a mature and institutionalized supervision and support system, and creating a robust licensing and accreditation system for social work practice. The consultant will ensure the final framework is operational and government-endorsed, directly contributing to strengthened child protection system performance, including more effective prevention of violence, improved case management, and better recovery and reintegration outcomes for children across Rwanda. This will involve extensive stakeholder engagement and facilitation of high-level consultative processes.

Work Experience

Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in social work, Law, social policy, governance, or institutional development. Proven experience in designing or supporting professional councils, regulatory bodies, or professional associations is an advantage.

Skills

Strong understanding of social work systems, Law, child protection systems, and social welfare governance, Knowledge of professional regulation frameworks, licensing systems, or professional councils, Expertise in institutional capacity development and organizational design, Strong skills in research, policy analysis, and report writing, Proven ability in strategic planning and development of implementation roadmaps, Excellent facilitation and communication skills, Ability to engage diverse stakeholders, Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines

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