Social Protection Consultant (National), Programme Section, Social Policy, 6 months, UNICEF Brasilia, Remote #594306

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 offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capacities of Social Assistance at the municipal level in the state of Acre, Brazil. Given the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related events like floods and droughts, vulnerable children and adolescents face significant risks. While Brazil has a robust social protection system, recent events have highlighted challenges in adapting services during large-scale shocks. UNICEF, with its expertise, will provide technical support, drawing on national guidance documents and protocols, to ensure a timely and effective response, particularly focusing on child-sensitive preparedness and response across sectors, with Social Assistance playing a central role.

Responsibilities

Provide technical support to strengthen the emergency preparedness and response capacities of Social Assistance at the municipal level in the state of Acre, Brazil. This will involve adapting and applying national technical guidance documents and protocols to Acre's specific territorial context, with a focus on risks posed by both flooding and drought. The consultant will work in partnership with the Acre State Secretariat of Social Assistance and Human Rights (SEASDH). Key activities will include assessing current capacities, identifying gaps, and developing recommendations for improvement. The consultant will also contribute to training and capacity-building initiatives for municipal social assistance staff. Furthermore, the role involves supporting the integration of child-sensitive approaches into emergency preparedness and response plans, ensuring the protection of children and adolescents in disaster situations. Collaboration with national and subnational stakeholders, including the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Poverty (MDS) and its National Secretariat of Social Assistance (SNAS), will be crucial. The consultant will also contribute to the development of knowledge products and reports documenting lessons learned and best practices.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social protection, emergency preparedness and response, child protection, or a related field. Experience working with government counterparts at national and subnational levels is desirable. Experience in Brazil, particularly in the Amazon region, is an asset.

Skills

Social protection systems, Emergency preparedness and response, Child protection in emergencies, Capacity building, Policy analysis, Stakeholder engagement, Project support, Report writing, UNICEF programme principles, Climate change adaptation, Risk assessment, Inter-agency coordination

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