Unicef CHAD
Consultancy to Support the Development of the National Child Justice Strategy (2
Unicef CHAD, Slater, Iowa, United States
Overview
Consultancy to Support the Development of the National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029) in the State of Palestine – UNICEF CHAD
UNICEF seeks a consultant to support the development of a National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029) in the State of Palestine. This role is based in East Jerusalem and falls under UNICEF’s Sawasya Joint Programme, focusing on child rights, justice, and protection in a challenging context.
Job Details
Job no:
583342
Contract type:
Consultant
Duty Station:
East Jerusalem
Level:
Consultancy
Location:
State of Palestine (SoP)
Categories:
Child Protection, Emergency
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children—to save their lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.
For every child, Future. Children in the State of Palestine face compounded risks that threaten safety, development, and well-being due to occupation, conflict, and gaps in protection and justice services. The renewed strategy will build on the lessons of the 2019–2023 National Child Justice Strategy and align with international standards, including the CRC and General Comment No. 24, while addressing current protection needs and region-specific disparities.
Scope of Work and Background The assignment supports the State of Palestine in developing a rights-based, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029) aligned with UNICEF’s Global Child Protection Strategy (2021–2030), CRC, General Comment No. 24, and SDG 16.2. The consultant will work with the Government (Ministry of Social Development) and UNICEF under the Sawasya Programme to ensure the strategy is inclusive, actionable, and grounded in evidence from the 2019–2023 strategy and the 2023 Child Justice Assessment.
The strategy will promote multi-sectoral coordination, prevention and diversion mechanisms, protection and rehabilitation for child victims and offenders, and clearly defined institutional roles. It will incorporate trauma-informed approaches, address West Bank and Gaza disparities, and align with CRC General Comment No. 24 and SDG 16.
The work will be guided by the following principles: child rights-based approach, best interests of the child, gender and equity, and a systems approach that recognizes ECD as cross-sectoral.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct system mapping and context analysis, building on the 2023 Child Justice System Assessment to identify capacity gaps, resource constraints, and coordination mechanisms across justice, social welfare, education, health, police, prosecution, judiciary, and civil society; map referral pathways, diversion programs, and reintegration services.
Lead inclusive stakeholder consultations, including government ministries (e.g., MoSD, Public Prosecution, Palestinian Police, High Judicial Council, Supreme Judicial Department), child protection and legal actors, civil society, and UN agencies; ensure consultations with children and vulnerable groups adhere to UNICEF safeguarding guidelines and reflect diverse perspectives from the West Bank and Gaza.
Draft the National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029), including vision, goals, strategic pillars, and guiding principles; address multi-sectoral coordination, prevention and early intervention, diversion and alternatives to detention, access to justice and protection for victims/witnesses, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive services, capacity-building, data collection, and M&E.
Develop a costed action plan and M&E framework with indicators, baselines, targets, data sources, and risk mitigation; define institutional roles for data collection, reporting, and learning; propose mechanisms for ongoing review, learning, and adaptation.
Prepare a phased implementation plan with activities, responsibilities, timelines, and budget estimates; organize a national validation workshop with key stakeholders and children’s representatives; incorporate feedback and secure broad endorsement prior to final approval.
Prepare accompanying documentation, including an M&E framework and a sustainability strategy; ensure compliance with UNICEF Child Safeguarding Policy throughout all consultations and data collection activities.
Present and finalize the strategy and action plan with the Law Enforcement Committee and relevant authorities.
Guiding Principles
Child Rights-Based Approach: Alignment with CRC principles including survival, development, protection, and participation.
Best Interests of the Child: Prioritize child well-being in all legal and institutional measures.
Gender and Equity Lens: Promote inclusion, access for girls and boys, and support for women caregivers.
Systems Approach: Recognize early childhood development as cross-sectoral and requiring integrated governance.
Qualifications and Experience
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Child Rights, Human Rights, Social Policy, Public Administration, or related fields.
Additional certification or training in child rights, child justice, or strategic planning is an asset.
Experience: 8–10 years in child justice, child protection, or the rule of law; experience designing, drafting, or evaluating national strategies, legal/policy documents related to child justice or social development.
Proven knowledge of international child rights standards (CRC, General Comment No. 24) and relevant legal instruments; experience with multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms is highly desirable; regional experience in MENA or fragile/conflict settings is an asset.
Skills: Excellent analytical and strategic thinking; strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement abilities, including participation with children and civil society; ability to draft high-quality policy documents; strong organizational and time-management abilities; proficiency in Arabic and English.
Other Information Remark: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNICEF values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds. UNICEF offers accommodations for persons with disabilities and supports flexible working arrangements where possible. Additional information on accessibility and related policies is available on the UNICEF Careers page.
Reminders and Conditions Note: Estimates, deadlines, and requirements may change. All selected candidates undergo background checks and must meet health, vaccination, and visa requirements where applicable. The contract period and terms follow UNICEF’s General Conditions for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors.
Advertised Advertised: 25 Aug 2025 (Egypt Daylight Time) • Deadline: 07 Sep 2025 (Egypt Daylight Time).
Application How to apply and contact information is available on the UNICEF Careers page.
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UNICEF seeks a consultant to support the development of a National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029) in the State of Palestine. This role is based in East Jerusalem and falls under UNICEF’s Sawasya Joint Programme, focusing on child rights, justice, and protection in a challenging context.
Job Details
Job no:
583342
Contract type:
Consultant
Duty Station:
East Jerusalem
Level:
Consultancy
Location:
State of Palestine (SoP)
Categories:
Child Protection, Emergency
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children—to save their lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. And we never give up.
For every child, Future. Children in the State of Palestine face compounded risks that threaten safety, development, and well-being due to occupation, conflict, and gaps in protection and justice services. The renewed strategy will build on the lessons of the 2019–2023 National Child Justice Strategy and align with international standards, including the CRC and General Comment No. 24, while addressing current protection needs and region-specific disparities.
Scope of Work and Background The assignment supports the State of Palestine in developing a rights-based, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029) aligned with UNICEF’s Global Child Protection Strategy (2021–2030), CRC, General Comment No. 24, and SDG 16.2. The consultant will work with the Government (Ministry of Social Development) and UNICEF under the Sawasya Programme to ensure the strategy is inclusive, actionable, and grounded in evidence from the 2019–2023 strategy and the 2023 Child Justice Assessment.
The strategy will promote multi-sectoral coordination, prevention and diversion mechanisms, protection and rehabilitation for child victims and offenders, and clearly defined institutional roles. It will incorporate trauma-informed approaches, address West Bank and Gaza disparities, and align with CRC General Comment No. 24 and SDG 16.
The work will be guided by the following principles: child rights-based approach, best interests of the child, gender and equity, and a systems approach that recognizes ECD as cross-sectoral.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct system mapping and context analysis, building on the 2023 Child Justice System Assessment to identify capacity gaps, resource constraints, and coordination mechanisms across justice, social welfare, education, health, police, prosecution, judiciary, and civil society; map referral pathways, diversion programs, and reintegration services.
Lead inclusive stakeholder consultations, including government ministries (e.g., MoSD, Public Prosecution, Palestinian Police, High Judicial Council, Supreme Judicial Department), child protection and legal actors, civil society, and UN agencies; ensure consultations with children and vulnerable groups adhere to UNICEF safeguarding guidelines and reflect diverse perspectives from the West Bank and Gaza.
Draft the National Child Justice Strategy (2025–2029), including vision, goals, strategic pillars, and guiding principles; address multi-sectoral coordination, prevention and early intervention, diversion and alternatives to detention, access to justice and protection for victims/witnesses, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive services, capacity-building, data collection, and M&E.
Develop a costed action plan and M&E framework with indicators, baselines, targets, data sources, and risk mitigation; define institutional roles for data collection, reporting, and learning; propose mechanisms for ongoing review, learning, and adaptation.
Prepare a phased implementation plan with activities, responsibilities, timelines, and budget estimates; organize a national validation workshop with key stakeholders and children’s representatives; incorporate feedback and secure broad endorsement prior to final approval.
Prepare accompanying documentation, including an M&E framework and a sustainability strategy; ensure compliance with UNICEF Child Safeguarding Policy throughout all consultations and data collection activities.
Present and finalize the strategy and action plan with the Law Enforcement Committee and relevant authorities.
Guiding Principles
Child Rights-Based Approach: Alignment with CRC principles including survival, development, protection, and participation.
Best Interests of the Child: Prioritize child well-being in all legal and institutional measures.
Gender and Equity Lens: Promote inclusion, access for girls and boys, and support for women caregivers.
Systems Approach: Recognize early childhood development as cross-sectoral and requiring integrated governance.
Qualifications and Experience
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law, Child Rights, Human Rights, Social Policy, Public Administration, or related fields.
Additional certification or training in child rights, child justice, or strategic planning is an asset.
Experience: 8–10 years in child justice, child protection, or the rule of law; experience designing, drafting, or evaluating national strategies, legal/policy documents related to child justice or social development.
Proven knowledge of international child rights standards (CRC, General Comment No. 24) and relevant legal instruments; experience with multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms is highly desirable; regional experience in MENA or fragile/conflict settings is an asset.
Skills: Excellent analytical and strategic thinking; strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement abilities, including participation with children and civil society; ability to draft high-quality policy documents; strong organizational and time-management abilities; proficiency in Arabic and English.
Other Information Remark: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNICEF values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds. UNICEF offers accommodations for persons with disabilities and supports flexible working arrangements where possible. Additional information on accessibility and related policies is available on the UNICEF Careers page.
Reminders and Conditions Note: Estimates, deadlines, and requirements may change. All selected candidates undergo background checks and must meet health, vaccination, and visa requirements where applicable. The contract period and terms follow UNICEF’s General Conditions for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors.
Advertised Advertised: 25 Aug 2025 (Egypt Daylight Time) • Deadline: 07 Sep 2025 (Egypt Daylight Time).
Application How to apply and contact information is available on the UNICEF Careers page.
#J-18808-Ljbffr