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, Child Protection

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The overall purpose of this assignment is to provide technical assistance (TA) to the Provincial Government of PNG and specifically to the provincial and district Child and Family Services (OCFS) to strengthen the child protection system in the NCD and Central Provinces.

By supporting the implementation and monitoring of the provisions of the Lukautim Pikinini Act (LPA) 2015 and the Child Protection Policy 2017-2020, the consultant will contribute to accelerating the achievements of the results of the 2023-2028 GoPNG and UNICEF Country Programme—outcome three on strengthening the Child Protection system to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children.

The consultant will strengthen the coordination mechanism for Child Protection, ensure the implementation of the   provincial engagement framework, and build the capacities of government actors, CSOs, and FBOs at the subnational level.

Scope of Work:

In order to protect all children in PNG from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect and support every child’s access to justice and quality care-based services, a strong child protection system is essential. PNG Government’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified in March 1993 — recognizes every child’s right to protection and upholds his or her access to justice.

For the Government of PNG to fulfill its obligations under the CRC, including preventing and responding to child protection risks and violence against children, an effective and well-functioning child protection system must be built up and maintained over time.

The LPA acknowledge the Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) as a dedicated Government institution the existing bottlenecks in the child protection system in PNG, with a combined upstream policy support, training and capacity building and targeted program interventions.

Since its establishment in 2018 the OCFS has made tremendous efforts to address and advance on child rights and build a solid child protection system. UNICEF has supported these efforts, including with provisions of technical and financial assistance. Some of the results achieved by OCFs include: i) the establishment of the National Council for Child and Family Services; ii) the development of a case management data base (Primero/CPIMs+); iii) the gazettal of twenty eight child protection officers; iii) the development of case management standards and of a new handbook for practitioners; iv) the development of a case management curriculum in collaboration with the Somare Institute for Leadership and Governance (SILAG).

Under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the consultant will:

1. Provide technical support to the provincial government, community development, and child and family services to roll out the provincial engagement framework. This will include sector annual planning and budget formulation to ensure that child protection key priorities are reflected and funded.
2. Strengthen the child protection mechanism at the provincial level, including coordinating regular meetings between sectors such as child protection, health, civil registration, police, and justice. Develop a Child Protection action plan and follow up on action points.
3. Lead, coordinate, and document the ongoing provincial engagement framework on the LPA and ensure the establishment of Child and Family Service provincial councils and at least 4 Child and Family Service district committees.
4. Coordinate and communicate with the NOCFS to facilitate the technical support and exchange the information with the national level
5. Support the finalization, rolled-out, and monitoring of the provincial engagement framework.
6. Support the transition of the child protection sub-cluster into a permanent coordination structure for child protection led by the OCFS.
7. Participate in the National Council for CFS’s regular meetings and report to UNICEF on action points.
8. Support the capacity development of the social service workforce, engaging training institutes available in the province.
9. Support the development and roll-out of the case management curriculum, case management SOP, referral pathway, and Primero Information management system in the province.
10. Develop the mapping of services and establish the referral pathways for child protection and GBV.
11. Collaborate and support the capacity building of service providers, especially the Family support centers.
12. Contribute to the planning and reporting process of the child protection section;
13. Collaborate with Village Courts and Land Mediation Secretariat to support the training of Village Courts officials in NCD and Central province on child rights and child protection.
14. Contribute to build capacity for specialized knowledge on child abuse, neglect and domestic violence ensuring the village Court Officials understand the psychological and emotional needs of children involved in legal proceedings.
15. Collaborate with PNGCIR on training and sensitization to address cultural and gender-related barriers to birth registration, such as those that might prevent single mothers or certain ethnic groups from accessing services.
16. Facilitate partnerships between PNGCIR and other government agencies to have a coordinated approach to birth registration to enhance resource sharing, technical expertise, and outreach efforts.
17. Perform any other duty as required.

As a champion for every child, qualifications are… 

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, education, social science or any related field
• At least five years’ experience at national and international level in systems building approach to child protection or social welfare system
• Solid experience in policy development and capacity building
• Experience in assessment, research, monitoring and evaluation
• Proven expertise and work record in working with government structures and coordinating different stakeholders at national or subnational level.
• Excellent knowledge of the English language

The assignment is full-time and based in National Capital District.

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation).

Remarks: 

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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 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.