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, Protection! 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

UNICEF, in collaboration with the inter-Government and UN Taskforce on the Handover Protocol, is looking for a consultant for four months to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols to complement and strengthen the operationalization of the Handover Protocol. The consultant will closely work with the inter-Government and UN Taskforce to develop the content of the SOPs and, once completed, validate the SOPs. The three main topics to be covered are 1) access for child protection authorities to Nigerian Security Agency facilities where children are being held, 2) the timely transfer of children in administrative custody with the military to civilian authorities, 3) the treatment of children while they are in administrative custody with the military. The SOPs and protocols developed serve to streamline the process from the moment the child arrives in the custody of the military to the point where they are handed over to the civilian authorities for reintegration, in line with international and national child rights standards and frameworks.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work:

The aim of this project is to streamline the processes while children encountered in the course of armed conflict are taken into administrative custody by the military. Topics to be covered to achieve this aim are, firstly, the full and unimpeded access for all relevant child protection actors to the children while they are in the custody of the Nigerian Security Agencies. Secondly, all girls and boys in detention need to be released from administrative custody and handed over to a civilian child protection authority within seven days for reintegration. Thirdly, the treatment of children while they are in administrative custody needs to be compliant with international and child rights standards and frameworks.

The Consultant working under the supervision of the UNICEF Child Protection Chief, in close collaboration with the Child Protection Manager in Maiduguri and the Child Protection Officer in Abuja, will be responsible for the following:

• Develop an inception report that outlays the methodology for the assignment, data collection, and gives an overview of available resources.
• Facilitate inclusive and participatory workshops with the inter-Government and UN Taskforce on the Handover Protocol, and other relevant military officials, on the content of the SOPs.
• Draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on access for child protection authorities to Nigerian Security Agency facilities where children are being held.
• Draft an SOP outlining the transfer of children in military custody to civilian authorities.
• Draft an SOP outlining the treatment of children in administrative custody with the military.
• Facilitate a validation workshop with relevant Government stakeholders, especially from the military, to review and endorse the developed SOPs.
• Train military officials on the contents and usage of the finalized SOPs, and the existing minimum stands for children in detention.

This consultancy will require travel to the field, including Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, for information gathering and the roll out of the training sessions for the military.

Key Deliverables:

• Inception report with proposed approach, and a review of literature and existing protocols to inform this assignment.
• Participatory workshop with key stakeholders on the contents of the SOPs.
• SOP on access to Nigerian Security Agency facilities where children are being held.
• SOP outlining the transfer of children in military custody to civilian authorities.
• SOP outlining the treatment of children in administrative custody with the military.
• Validation workshop for the SOPS with relevant Government stakeholders, especially from the military.
• Training package, including a role-out plan, and training sessions held for military officials on the SOPs and the minimum standards for children in detention.

if you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here  TOR _Consultancy contract – SOPs-.docx

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

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: 

• A university degree (Bachelor’s) or academic background in international development, international relations, conflict studies, or international law Endorsement Sign Name Date Chief Child Protection Deputy Representative.
• Minimum of 5 years experience working on relevant topics, such as child protection, civil-military affairs, and international law.
• Ability to work with and manage various stakeholder expectations, such as government officials, and work within strict timelines – Experience working with the Nigerian military preferable.
• Knowledge of national and international Child Rights legislation, frameworks and standards.
• Work experience within the context of Northeast Nigeria – Strong communication capacity in written and spoken English.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

Remarks: 

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

Applicants must submit their financial and technical proposals along with this application. Applications without these will not be considered. Use this form to provide your financial proposal. 

 All-Inclusive Financial Proposal Form-Current.docx

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 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.