[Hiring] Research Consultant (Juvenile Justice Expert) @AGORA

Role Description

The assignment aims to strengthen the governance, coordination and operational effectiveness of Italy’s protection system for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) through the mapping and capitalization of existing good practices and interinstitutional coordination mechanisms developed within the juvenile justice system and its interaction with the reception system.

The consultant will work under UNICEF supervision and in close coordination with relevant institutional stakeholders, including Juvenile Courts, Prefectures, Municipalities and reception actors, to:

• Conduct a structured desk review and mapping of existing territorial protocols, agreements and interinstitutional coordination mechanisms governing the reception and integrated case management of UASC, with a focus on their degree of formalization, operational implementation and effectiveness;
• Design and implement data collection tools and consolidate findings into a structured database of coordination models and practices across selected locations;
• Conduct a targeted set number of targeted interviews with selected Juvenile Court professionals, as a complementary tool to validate the findings emerging from the desk review and to assess how formal procedures translate into practice in terms of referral pathways, timeliness of decisions and continuity of protection measures within the reception system;
• Identify and systematically document replicable good practices and operational gaps affecting interinstitutional cooperation between judicial authorities and reception actors, including Prefectures, Regional Ombudspersons, Police departments, Juvenile prosecutor’s offices, Local Authorities, social and health services and voluntary guardianship systems;
• Provide analytical outputs and evidence-based inputs and recommendations to support the strengthening of territorial governance models and contribute to national dialogue aimed at enhancing coordination and consistency of UASC protection pathways, in line with AMIF priorities, Law 47/2017, the abovementioned Vademecum, and the evolving EU framework.

Qualifications

• Advanced University degree in Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Migration Studies or other relevant disciplines.
• At least 6 years of proven professional experience in the field of child protection, migration, asylum and reception systems, with specific exposure to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and other vulnerable groups.
• At least 6 years of professional experience in justice sector work, public policy, governance, institutional strengthening, research and/or analysis related to migration management and protection systems.
• Demonstrated experience in working with national and territorial institutions, including ministries, judicial authorities, Prefectures, Local Authorities and/or public administrations, in the framework of coordination and multi-stakeholder processes.
• Proven experience in drafting analytical reports, mapping exercises, policy-oriented documentation and operational recommendations.
• Strong knowledge of the Italian institutional framework for UASC, including juvenile justice governance, reception systems, guardianship mechanisms and interinstitutional coordination models.
• Proven knowledge of the Italian and EU policy environment on migration and asylum, including familiarity with AMIF priorities and relevant European developments (including the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum).
• Familiarity with national guidance tools and operational frameworks supporting UASC protection and reception pathways (e.g. Ministry of Interior Vademecum and coordination protocols).
• Strong analytical and methodological skills, including demonstrated ability to conduct desk reviews, qualitative data collection (interviews), comparative analysis and systematization of good practices.
• Excellent drafting skills in producing high-quality technical reports, toolkits and policy-oriented documents.
• Ability to engage effectively with high-level Italian and EU institutional stakeholders, and to facilitate constructive dialogue across sectors (justice, reception, social services, migration governance).
• Proven ability to work through networking and partnerships, and to operate in complex multi-stakeholder environments.
• Fluency in both Italian and English.

Requirements

• Previous experience working on EU-funded programmes (AMIF/FAMI or similar).
• At least 3 years of demonstrated experience engaging with Italian central administrations and/or EU institutions in the context of migration, asylum, justice or child protection policies.
• Prior experience in assignments involving the juvenile justice system and/or institutional coordination mechanisms for UASC case management.

Benefits

• Diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Attractive compensation and benefits package.

Company Description

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture.