National Consultancy for Coordination and support for the development of the Confidential Report to United Nations-Convention on the Rights of Children , Maseru, Lesotho, (30 working days)
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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The Government of Lesotho (GoL) is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC). As part of the state obligations signatory to the Convention, the state party must submit periodic reports on the implementation status of the country on the treaty and give a picture on the protection of rights of children.
In May 2022, Lesotho submitted its responses to the Concluding Observations from the third periodic state report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. While these reports address the reporting requirements as set out by the CRC committee, they also serve a broader purpose. They are meant to be the reflection on the current state of children in Lesotho and on the ability of the country to protect and promote their fundamental rights and entitlements. It also provides some guidance going forward for the GOL’s efforts to continually improve and protect the welfare of the country’s children.
The confidential report is meant to analyse the situation of child rights in Lesotho based on the available data and the experiences of children, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and UNICEF. The report will be providing suggestions for recommendation and questions to be included in the list of questions to be issued by the UNCRC Committee to the government of Lesotho.
Scope of Work:
UNICEF is hiring a technical expert to support the Government of Lesotho’s (GoL) commitment to fulfil its periodic reporting obligations as a signatory to the UNCRC and in the realisation of children’s rights and ensuring full protection of children and their rights. The expert will support the GoL to compile and submit a periodic report UNCRC.
Under the supervision of UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, the consultant will:
- Prepare a confidential report in relation to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in line with the guidelines stated for such reports in consultation with children and CSOs.
To accomplish the above assignment, the consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks over a period not exceeding 30 working days:
- Develop an Inception report including work plan, methodology for the exercise and time frame, etc. to be approved by UNICEF
- Collate, consolidate, and analyze all the data that will be gathered by stakeholders who have been implementing interventions of children.
- Hold validation workshops for inputs from children and CSOs.
- Incorporate in the draft report relevant feedback coming out of the stakeholders’ workshop.
- Finalise and submit to UNICEF the final CRC report.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An advanced university degree in Law, Criminology, Social Work/Policy, International Development Studies, or any related field.A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience related to children’s rights and international legal frameworks such as the UNCRC *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:
- Experience working with the UNCRC reporting mechanisms will be a strong advantage.
- Strong understanding of the international, regional and Lesotho’s legislation and policies pertaining to child protection and children’s rights.
- Extensive experience in designing, implementation, and monitoring justice for children programmes at national and sub-national levels
- Experience in effectively facilitating the collaborative work of a wide range of stakeholders, including government and development partners
- Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and goals is an advantage.
- Have no criminal record in abuse of children.
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills including interactive and interpersonal communication skills.
- Familiarity with UNICEF’s mandate and goals is an advantage.
- Proficiency in English
Deadline: 03 Mar 2025 South Africa Standard Time