National Consultancy for Coordination and support for the development of the Confidential Report to United Nations-Convention on the Rights of Children , Maseru, Lesotho, (30 working days)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Innovation

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The Government of Lesotho (GoL) is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC). As part of the state obligations signatory to the Convention, the state party must submit periodic reports on the implementation status of the country on the treaty and give a picture on the protection of rights of children.

In May 2022, Lesotho submitted its responses to the Concluding Observations from the third periodic state report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. While these reports address the reporting requirements as set out by the CRC committee, they also serve a broader purpose.  They are meant to be the reflection on the current state of children in Lesotho and on the ability of the country to protect and promote their fundamental rights and entitlements.  It also provides some guidance going forward for the GOL’s efforts to continually improve and protect the welfare of the country’s children.

The confidential report is meant to analyse the situation of child rights in Lesotho based on the available data and the experiences of children, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and UNICEF. The report will be providing suggestions for recommendation and questions to be included in the list of questions to be issued by the UNCRC Committee to the government of Lesotho.

Scope of Work:

UNICEF is hiring a technical expert to support the Government of Lesotho’s (GoL) commitment to fulfil its periodic reporting obligations as a signatory to the UNCRC and in the realisation of children’s rights and ensuring full protection of children and their rights. The expert will support the GoL to compile and submit a periodic report UNCRC.

Under the supervision of UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, the consultant will:

• Prepare a confidential report in relation to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in line with the guidelines stated for such reports in consultation with children and CSOs.

To accomplish the above assignment, the consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks over a period not exceeding 30 working days:

• Develop an Inception report including work plan, methodology for the exercise and time frame, etc. to be approved by UNICEF
• Collate, consolidate, and analyze all the data that will be gathered by stakeholders who have been implementing interventions of children.
• Hold validation workshops for inputs from children and CSOs.
• Incorporate in the draft report relevant feedback coming out of the stakeholders’ workshop.
• Finalise and submit to UNICEF the final CRC report.

Work Assignment Overview:

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

• An advanced university degree in Law, Criminology, Social Work/Policy, International Development Studies, or any related field.A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience related to children’s rights and international legal frameworks such as the UNCRC   *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree. 

 Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Experience working with the UNCRC reporting mechanisms will be a strong advantage.
• Strong understanding of the international, regional and Lesotho’s legislation and policies pertaining to child protection and children’s rights.
• Extensive experience in designing, implementation, and monitoring justice for children programmes at national and sub-national levels
• Experience in effectively facilitating the collaborative work of a wide range of stakeholders, including government and development partners
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and goals is an advantage.
• Have no criminal record in abuse of children.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills including interactive and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and goals is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants . Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.