[Hiring] Child Protection Consultant @AGORA

Role Description

This assignment aims to assess the extent to which the Common Rules are reflected in national legislation, policies, institutions, and programmes across selected Inter-American countries; document promising practices and implementation gaps in restorative justice; and develop practical recommendations to accelerate implementation. The assignment will also contribute to operationalizing UNICEF’s Reimagine Justice for Children agenda, particularly its principles on diversion and prevention of detention.

Qualifications

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, human rights, criminology, social sciences, public policy, international development, or another relevant field.
• A first university degree combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree, subject to applicable UNICEF requirements.

Requirements

• At least eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in justice for children, child protection, human rights, legal or policy reform, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting high-quality comparative legal, policy, and programme research.
• Proven experience reviewing laws, policies, strategies, or programmes concerning children in conflict with the law, diversion, alternatives to detention, or restorative justice.
• Experience working with governments, justice institutions, UN agencies, or development partners and engaging multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Experience producing concise, decision-oriented reports, technical guidance, and knowledge products.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working proficiency in Spanish is required for review of primary sources and stakeholder engagement. Portuguese is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and international standards on child justice.
• Strong analytical skills, including transparent assessment of evidence quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and data limitations.
• Excellent writing, editing, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deliverables, and collaborate effectively across regions and time zones.

Desirables

• Experience in Ibero-America or Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Familiarity with UNICEF's Reimagine Justice for Children agenda.
• Experience contributing to regional or global normative products and communities of practice.

Benefits

• UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does.
• UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Application Process

• Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):
• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal
• A brief technical proposal describing the proposed methodology and workplan
• Three relevant writing samples
• The proposal should explain how the applicant will assess implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency where data availability and comparability vary across countries.

Remarks

• UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes.
• All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.