Child Protection Expert

Incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children in care homes and institutions are a recurring concern in Malaysia. In September 2024, a high-profile case of abuse and exploitation of over 600 children in various care institutions linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), a Malaysian conglomerate, highlighted the urgent need to address existing gaps and vulnerabilities in the current system of alternative care. Over 400 individuals were arrested for being part of an organised crime group involved in child abuse, exploitation and human trafficking, federal and state Islamic authorities shut down GISB-linked institutions, and rescued children were placed in government protection homes under the care of the Department of Social Welfare. Malaysia is at a critical juncture where strong commitment and action is needed to reform the alternative care system, to ensure fewer children end up in institutions and those that are in institutions are well-monitored, protected and cared for.

In 2018, a State Action Plan for the Deinstitutionalization of Children in the state of Negri Sembilan (2018-2022) was developed by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Department of Social Welfare. In 2019, with the support of UNICEF, the Government of Malaysia launched a family-based care pilot in four locations aimed at preventing unnecessary institutionalisation of children and promoting family-based care and there are plans for the pilot to be expanded in 2025. Building on the current initiatives, UNICEF Malaysia seeks to support the Government in developing a comprehensive collective approach, in partnership with civil society, private sector and relevant stakeholders, to bring about systemic reform of the alternative care system in Malaysia.

In line with this, UNICEF Malaysia is seeking an international consultant to provide high-level technical support on alternative care, including strategy development, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, and technical assistance on de-institutionalisation and reforming of the alternative care system in Malaysia.

The scope of work of the consultant will include:

• Conduct a review and analysis of all existing laws, policies, standards and guidelines on alternative care for children in Malaysia, including gatekeeping policies and mechanisms for children in institutional care. This should include:
• a)Recommendations for areas of improvement to ensure compliance with international standards, including the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
• b)Developing draft minimum standards for programmes and services for children in alternative care in Malaysia where needed.
• Develop a five-year strategy on care reform in Malaysia to be included in UNICEF Malaysia’s current and next Country Programme, including a plan of action for engaging with Government at federal and state level, CSOs, private sector and other key stakeholders. This includes consultations within the UNICEF Country Office, linking the work to the wider Child Protection programme such as Social Service Workforce Strengthening and Justice for Children, and drawing on the expertise of relevant Programme, Communications and Private Sector Fundraising and Partnerships sections, and consultations with external stakeholders as needed, to develop a comprehensive and evidence-based strategy with a strong focus on prevention.
• Provide technical support to government (federal or state level, depending on government agreement) on developing a comprehensive care reform agenda or elements of it based on the five-year strategy, such as a national survey of children in institutional care, evidence-based expansion of the existing government family-based care pilot or fast-tracking registration and monitoring of unregistered institutional care. This may include making presentations during meetings with government or support for consultations with stakeholders (modalities and format to be discussed and agreed upon).
• Facilitate learning from other country contexts and promote regional and global standards as relevant in the Malaysian context, including the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, such as sharing models and good practices on alternative care from relevant country contexts, particularly from common law countries, and countries in the region that have implemented comprehensive care reform. This may include making presentations during meetings with government, policymakers and other key stakeholders (modalities and format to be discussed and agreed upon).
• Provide technical assistance to support UNICEF Malaysia’s engagement with state government in Sarawak on the development of a pilot on alternative care for children, and provide technical guidance on implementing the pilot, including monitoring & evaluation.
• The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and overall guidance of the Chief of Child Protection. Implementation of the scope of work will require close coordination with UNICEF’s partners and/or national consultants, and national and local stakeholders as needed, and certain deliverables will depend on the level of engagement and agreement with government.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, law, human rights, public policy, social work, or another relevant social science field.
• At least 10 years of experience in the field of child protection in development contexts, particularly in upper middle-income countries and countries with a common law system.
• High level of technical understanding of child protection programming and advocacy, with a focus on alternative care, family strengthening, or social work.
• Knowledge of the international standards governing alternative care, including the United Nations Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
• Demonstrated experience (at least 8 years) experience in providing high level technical advice and guidance for strategic thinking, programme
• Planning, review and consultations with government stakeholders and other partners
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Bahasa Malaysia is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/578555