Child Protection Consultant, Maseru, Lesotho, 12 months, UNICEF Office to the AU & ECA (Secondment to ACERWC secretariat), office-based, #594140

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, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF fosters career growth with diverse professional and personal development opportunities.

Job Purpose

The consultancy aims to bridge the gap between the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) normative framework and its implementation in AU member states. The consultant will develop practical tools, such as a Disaggregated Data Compilation Checklist and a Concluding Recommendations Implementation Matrix, to operationalize the ACRWC reporting checklist. These tools will align with the thematic priorities and data needs of the Special Rapporteurs on Violence Against Children and on Harmful Practices. The consultant will also conduct a technical workshop on reporting and implementation, sensitize policymakers on emerging forms of violence against girls in the digital space, and produce evidence-based advocacy materials on transactional sex among adolescent girls, strengthening monitoring frameworks.

Responsibilities

Develop practical, state-facing tools, including a Disaggregated Data Compilation Checklist and a Concluding Recommendations Implementation Matrix, to operationalize the ACERWC’s reporting checklist, ensuring alignment with the thematic priorities and data needs of the Special Rapporteurs on Violence Against Children (SR-VAC) and on Harmful Practices (SR-HP). Design and deliver a targeted technical workshop on quality periodic and complementary reporting, and implementation of ACERWC’s recommendations on Violence Against Girls (VAG), Harmful Practices (HP), and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), incorporating guidance on engagement by the SR-VAC and SR-HP. Sensitize policymakers, including the Committee, on emerging forms of VAG in the digital space, drawing on the normative frameworks developed by the SR-VAC and SR-HP, and generate advocacy materials that highlight nuanced issues of girls' welfare and SRHR through an intersectional lens. Produce evidence-based advocacy material examining survival-driven transactional sex among pregnant and parenting adolescent girls as a form of VAG and an SRHR violation, strengthening both ACERWC's and the Special Rapporteurs' monitoring frameworks on this issue.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in human rights, child rights, gender justice, or related fields. Demonstrated expertise in African regional human rights mechanisms and familiarity with gender equality and disability inclusion principles are required.

Skills

Research and legal analysis, Policy development, Treaty body engagement, Legislative analysis, Comparative law research, Law reform processes, Workshop design and delivery, Advocacy material development, Data analysis, Report writing, Intersectional analysis, Gender-transformative approach

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