Job Posting for Consultancy – 4 Months
Job title: Expert on Child Protection – Middle East and North Africa Region
Consultancy level: B
Location: Cairo, Republic Arab of Egypt
Application deadline: 1st September 2015.
Desired Start date: 15th September 2015.
General Background:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the UN Agency mandated
to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems
worldwide.
As a consequence of the conflict in Syria since 2011, over 4 million refugees, the majority of
whom are under eighteen years of age, have fled Syria. In neighbouring host countries, most
of which are not signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, most of those
who have fled Syria have found refuge within host communities, while a minority are
accommodated in camps.
As the conflict in Syria moves towards in its 5th year, the ongoing insecurity and displacement
in Iraq, Yemen and Libya and the lack of political solutions to these various conflicts mean
that the number of refugees is likely to continue to grow, and their situation becomes more
precarious as the the displacement becomes protracted.
UNHCR’s Middle East and North Africa, (MENA) Bureau helps to implement UNHCR’s
global mandate in the MENA region by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and
sub-regional cooperation and action in response to refugee crises and to build a strategic
partnerships with governments and regional organizations ensure and promote the rights of
persons in need of international protection in the MENA region.
Under the direct supervision of the UNHCR Representative in Egypt, and in close collaboration
with UNHCR MENA Bureau in Amman, the purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical
support to League of Arab States in development of the Regional Strategy on protection of
children refugees in the Arab world.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
The incumbent of this consultancy is responsible for providing technical support and drafting
the Regional Strategy for the protection of refugee children for the Member States of the
League of Arab States (LAS). The Strategy aims to support the Member States in their efforts
to provide protection to refugee children through national child protection systems. This may
include adoption, revision and implementation of laws and policies in line with international
laws, as well as strengthening the availability of quality of specialized child protection services
and their accessibility.
The consultant will work in close collaboration with the LAS and its Member States to develop
the Regional Strategy as well as the recommendations to the Member States how to strength
their child protection systems for refugees. This will include two parts:
1. Regional Strategy on Protection of Refugee Children in the Region
The regional strategy for the Protection of Refugee Children in Arab States will outline
the key strategies to be undertaken by Arab States to protect refugee
children. This will include key laws and policies and child protection services to be
provided by national governmental and civil society actors. The strategy will build
upon existing laws, policies and services in the region and detail key recommendations
to strength national child protection systems to better protect refugee children in line
with relevant international laws and standards.
2. Action Plans for the implementation of the strategy for specific priority countries
including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Libya.
Based on the regional strategy, the consultant will support LAS to work with Member
States to develop country specific action plans. These action plans will outline specific
time-bound actions that the Member States will undertake to implement the regional
strategy.
Process:
1. Desk review of existing laws, policies and services in the region, and relevant
international laws and policies including UNHCR global and regional strategies for
protecting refugee children.
2. Drafting outline of regional strategy to be reviewed and approved by LAS and UNHCR
including identification of the pillars of the Regional Strategy
3. Drafting outline of country action plans
4. Finalising regional strategy and actions plan
The consultant will work under the supervision of the UNHCR Egypt representative. They
will receive technical guidance from the MENA Bureau and will liaise closely with LAS
Department of Women, Family and Childhood. Communication with Member States will be
undertaken through LAS, with the support of the consultant as appropriate.
Monitoring and Progress Controls – Timeline of key deliverables:
30th October 2015: Brief outline of regional strategy and detailed work-plan for the
consultancy
30th November 2015: Delivery of the draft version of the regional strategy and country action
plans
30th December 2015: Delivery of the final Regional Strategy on Protection of Refugee
Children
30th January 2016: Delivery of final document including the Regional Strategy on Protection
of Refugee Children and Country Specific Plans of Action.
Qualification and Experiences:
Education:
- Advanced university degree in Law, Political Science, Social Science, International
Relations or related field.
- Training on international protection, fundamental rights, Middle East and Arab affairs, law,
politics or a related field would be an asset.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in the field of child protection.
Key Competencies:
- Tact and ability to manage relations with partners
- Excellent research, analytical, judgment, drafting and organizational skills
- Ability to respect confidentiality
- Advanced knowledge of fundamental rights and international refugee law
- Good understanding of the Arab League and institutional framework
- Previous work experience in a position related to the tasks and responsibilities
- Good IT, information management, communication and coordination
- Excellent spoken and written English and Arabic
- Flexibility and strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
- Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information
- Ability to prioritise work and deliver under pressure
- Results orientation and constructive thinking
Desirable comptencies and knowledge:
- Advanced knowledge of child rights and international refugee law
- Good understanding of the Arab League and institutional framework desirable
To Apply:
Interested applicants should submit their letter of motivation and Personal History Form (P11),
including testimonials/degrees/certificates to Kaidar AYOUB: ayoubk@unhcr.org indicating
“Expert on Child Protection – Middle East and North Africa Region” in the subject of the
email. P11 forms are available on www.unhcr.org/recruit/p11new.doc.
The deadline for applications is 1st September 2015.