TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR
Child Protection Consultant
Summary
Category and Level
Purpose
Duration
Start date
Reporting to
Project and Activity codes
Equivalent of National Officer A level1
Technical assistance and project management for the modelling project
on for the development of basic social services at community level2
Determinate, 11 months
November, 2014
Child Protection Specialist
3660/A0/05/802/001/001
1. Background and brief history
Taking into account the underdevelopment of the social assistance services at community level, UNICEF in
partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Protection and Elderly Persons, developed a modelling
project3 focusing on the development of the preventive approach in the social protection system, particularly in
rural areas4. The modelling project theory has considered that children’s welfare in Romania will improve only if
and when the children, especially the worst-off (‘invisible’5) children, will have enhanced access to social services
(education, health, and social assistance services). For this purpose, in rural areas (particularly in the poorest
communities from eight counties6, social workers need to be hired and trained to carry out mainly outreach
activities including needs-assessment, monitoring, informing and counselling, and to provide appropriate social
assistance services to the worst-off children and their families.
Currently the modelling project covers 32 rural communes. A minimum package of community-based preventive
social assistance services is piloted: social workers carried out outreach activities, such as needs assessment,
monitoring, information and counselling, and delivered adequate social assistance services to children most in
need and their families. Since 2012, in coordination with social assistance services implemented at community
level, community health care was also supported in order to help increase access to basic health care, aiming to
test the effectiveness and efficiency of integrated intervention for the most vulnerable families with children.
1
Level NOA: The scope of the job duties range from proper data collection and analysis, the timely preparation of routine,
concise and accurate monitoring reports, including monitoring project status and the flow of supply and non-supply
assistance, recommending appropriate adjustments as required, to preparation of timely and accurate budget reports. The
job requires primarily professional analytical and contributory technical work, including collection and assembly of data and
background information; prepares tables, graphs or other statistical data for technical review and monitoring purposes.
2
First Priority: No More Invisible Children!, http://www.unicef.ro/ce-facem/initiative/prima-prioritate-niciun-copil-invizibil/
3
Pilot projects are activities designed to test the feasibility and/or effectiveness of an intervention. They are “a specific type
of ‘demonstration project’ with explicit attention to documenting and measuring progress and results. PPPeM, UNICEF
4
Brief description of modelling project is available in the Annex.
5
'Invisible' children are defined as children facing one or more types of vulnerabilities who have been identified by social
workers through their outreach work. In this project, ‘invisible’ children also mean children acknowledged as being in a
vulnerable situation, yet facing ‘invisible’ vulnerabilities (also identified through outreach work).
6
Bacău, Botoşani, Buzău, Iaşi, Neamţ, Suceava, Vaslui, and Vrancea
1
Last but not least, it should be mentioned that the “First Priority: No More ‘Invisible’ Children!” modelling project
was dynamic, and several adjustments were made throughout the implementation of almost 4 years based on
results of 2 independent evaluations7. The evidence collected shows that the modelling project contributes to
more effective and efficient, easy to implement and sustain, community-based solutions, complementing thus the
prevention action model at grassroots level8. To this end, the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Protection and
Elderly Persons, the National Authority for the Child Rights Protection and Adoption and the Ministry of Health,
expressed commitment to continue the intervention and contribute to advocacy efforts so that the model of
community preventive service to be undertaken by all key stakeholders and scaled up at national level. In this
context a third, summative evaluation is scheduled to take place in May-June 2015, before the closure of the
modelling project planned for September 2015.
2. Purpose
Under the guidance and supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, the Consultant will ensure technical
assistance and project management for the modelling project on the development of integrated basic social
services at community level, including data analysis and progress reporting, in support of achievement of planned
objectives of the work plan 2014-2015.
3. Major duties and responsibilities
Main tasks and responsibilities are presented blow taking into account following areas of activity:
Project Management
Support the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective project
implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation. Draft sound modelling project documents (including
exit strategy and sustainability plan) for review by the supervisor; provide support for the sharing of information
with relevant partners, as required.
Project Efficiency and Effectiveness
Enhance project efficiency and effectiveness through implementation follow-on activities with partners at county
and local level, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, and project status mainly thru
ongoing field visits to project sites and documenting project’s progress and results.
Work Plan and Project Documentation
Analyze collected data and information and prepare progress reports; Analyzes modelling project status, and
recommends appropriate adjustments; Draft and recommends terms of reference for summative evaluation
planned for mid-2015, but as well for various agreements or special services between UNICEF and partners in the
modelling project.
7
First and Second Evaluation Reports (M. Stanculescu, coord., 2012 and 2013) of the “Helping Invisible Children” modelling
project are available at: http://www.unicef.org/romania/Raport_HIC_engleza.pdf and
http://www.unicef.org/romania/HIC.eng.web.pdf
8
Idem.
2
Knowledge Sharing
Compile modelling project results and document lessons learned, to promote knowledge sharing with various
counterparts, other stakeholders and within the organization. Makes arrangements for visits to project sites for
the government and other partners, and provides information and briefing on project activities and status.
Communication and Networking
Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and
collaboration with all stakeholders (UNICEF staff, county and local counterparts, members of the communities
involved in the modelling, including NGOs, etc.); Communicates with county and local authority counterparts on
project details and recommends courses of action.
4.










Required experience and credentials
University degree in Social Sciences or related field;
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in child/social protection;
Essential technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following areas: Strengthening child
protection systems; Strengthening partner capacity for protecting children against violence; strengthening
social welfare systems; Use of data and indicators in child protection.
Professional work experience in project management and evaluation is an asset;
Analytical and conceptual ability; communication skills;
Planning and monitoring skills; ability to organize work and projects;
Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions;
Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications;
Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both
within and outside the organization;
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English;
General conditions
Working conditions. Consultant is office-based, with travel to project sites. The contract is 11 months determinate
contract, including a 3 months trial period and without perspectives of extension beyond October 2015.
Reporting. Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, and will work
closely with consultants contracted as supervisors within the modelling project.
Payment calendar. This contract includes no other benefits, Travel costs to project sites and attending project
meetings (situations when consultant is authorized to have access to UNICEF transport) will be covered by UNICEF
outside this contract. Payments will be made monthly, based on activity report signed by supervisor.
Note: consultant will sign health statement prior to taking the assignment and the designation form will be
completed. The Consultant will be responsible for paying income taxes and any other due taxes as per applicable
national legislation.
Interested candidates should submit their applications in English: Letter of intent, P11 form, and recommendation
letters (if available) by email to bucharest@unicef.org, subject: Child Protection Consultant, by 27 October 2014,
17h00.
Financial Offer should also be included, specifying the requested gross monthly fee, taking into consideration
that the consultant will be responsible for paying all his/her due income taxes as per Romanian legislation.
3