UNITED NATIONS CHILDRENS FUND (UNICEF) REQUEST OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) Reference REOI-IRAQ

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1 UNITED NATIONS CHILDRENS FUND (UNICEF) REQUEST OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) Reference REOI-IRAQ Subject: National Child Protection Policy Consultation Date of REOI: 11 July 2013 Closing date: 21 July to: SPECIFICATIONS/TERMS OF REFERENCES I. Background The Child Welfare Commission (CWC) is an inter-ministerial body operating under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and works with the development of a National Child Protection Policy (NCPP). The aim of the NCPP is to inform federal and regional governments, line ministries and decentralised administrations in the development and implementation of a child protection system based on child s rights that protects children, prevents and rehabilitates children at risk. The process of developing the NCPP is supported by UNICEF Child Protection and the Social Policy Programme in Iraq. II. Rationale and Context for the Assignment In order to develop the NCPP, the CWC has established a specific secretariat composed of 13 officials belonging to several line ministries, chaired by the Minister of MoLSA and co-chaired by the Deputy Minister of Planning. A consultation committee with eight national consultants was also established to provide advice and guidance on the development of the situation analysis report, the consultation strategy and gather the necessary technical background documents throughout Iraq. CWC has identified the process leading to the development and endorsement of the NCPP, which includes: development of a child protection situation analysis (completed); consultation to assist with the identification of national child protection priorities to improve the protection of children in Iraq (completed); development of policy position papers; development of a nation-wide inclusive consultation process to ensure public engagement in identifying issues and solutions; development of the national child protection policy, strategy and budget implementation plan; endorsement of the national child protection policy by the Government of Iraq. During a meeting held in July 2011 between the CWC and the regional inter-ministerial committee of Kurdistan, the Child Rights, Participation and Protection Committee (CRPPC), both bodies agreed to collaborate on the formulation of a national policy.

2 In February 2012, the Secretariat prepared a situation analysis focusing on the following areas that were identified as priorities that require documentation and analysis: Child Labour Children in conflict with the law Children in armed conflict Children victims of empowerment of mine and remnants of war (EWR) Child trafficking Children without parental care Violence against children Early marriage Children with disabilities Displaced children The situation analysis report included a preliminary analysis of the legal framework (international conventions and local legislation), data and information on child protection structures in place in Iraq, and the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders engaged in child protection. The child protection policy will be based on a systems approach, while taking into special consideration the priorities that have already been identified. The policy will be the subject of a participatory consultation process with children and stakeholders. Based on the data provided by a complete situation analysis that includes the description of the current structures and stakeholders, and other necessary information, a series of technical documents will be developed proposing a set of solutions: Policy Options Papers. These papers will go through a nation-wide and inclusive consultation process identifying the best solutions/strategies that will be included in the policy. The consultation process will include consulting children, youth, communities, organisations, institutions, and local/regional governments. III. Objectives of the Policy Option Papers Policy option papers should include a set of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timeorientated) solutions to develop a child protection system for Iraq. The option papers should be developed according to: main findings of the situation analysis, other necessary data and information; international experiences in dealing with policy systems and in particular child protection systems; national legislation, international instruments and standards; and guiding principles of the CWC for the national child protection policy. The options presented in the policy options papers should inform the development of a CPP that builds a protection system for all children in Iraq, cuts across the ten defined priority areas, and takes into account the following elements: government commitment: social welfare policies, child-friendly budgets, international instruments, ratification legislation: national legislative framework in line with international instruments, implementation (prevent, protect, rehabilitate), accountability basic and targeted services: basic services, forming part of the prevent, protect and rehabilitate agenda (including against neglect, violence and exploitation) and that does not discriminate against children 2

3 monitoring and oversight: monitoring/data collection systems and oversight. Additionally, both the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government have drafted parallel legislations on child rights protection laws. UNICEF is reviewing the two laws in line with international standards and norms, taking into account existing child related legislations. Consultation with MoLSAs in Baghdad and Erbil must therefore be ensured to guarantee that local knowledge on child related legislations, policies, regulations, measures and services/practices, as well as Iraq specific perspectives on the legal protection of children, are considered. Furthermore, an international consultant has been engaged to provide comments on the regional and federal child rights law and ensure the final document is in line with national and international standards and practices. This work will be taken into account when informing the development of the child protection policy. UNICEF is seeking an international consultant or institution to support the development of a systems child-rights based approach in developing a national child protection policy. The system proposed to prevent, protect and rehabilitate must target the most deprived and vulnerable sectors of the population, and secure the indivisible rights of children The child protection system must therefore be linked to the child welfare and social protection system, and rely not only on legislation and penalties to guarantee conformity. It must also have sufficient consideration of social/cultural specificities. The policy must therefore: consist of a comprehensive system that integrates protection, prevention and rehabilitation measures and services; detail what measures of protection must be adopted and propose a realistic implementation plan, and the cost of its implementation; specify which mechanisms to monitor the situation of children and prevent, protect and rehabilitate children from violations committed against them or violations of their rights; detail roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and co-ordination between ministries and structures involved in preventive/protective/rehabilitative measures and welfare services, and identify which multi-disciplinary agencies/offices are established or must be established at local (community) level to achieve this goal. IV. Supervision The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Social Policy in close collaboration with the Social Policy and Child Protection sections. V. Main Tasks and Expected Outputs Timeline: 1 September to 31 December 2013 (approximately 100 days) Tasks 1.Review previous work undertaken in policy development in Iraq, including documentation, and child-related legislations in co-ordination with UNICEF Iraq, UNICEF s legislation advisor, and CWC (10 days) 2. Develop Policy Option Papers (20 days) and policy dialogue (5 days) Outputs Draft a general comment that outlines the main policy options Develop a minimum of two and a maximum of three Policy Option Papers 3

4 3. Provide guidance to UNICEF on methods and approaches in further developing the work of the CPP Secretariat and a nation-wide consultative strategy, including children and youth (15 days) Engages a policy dialogue with the Consultative Committee and the CWC Secretariat on the policy options for inputs and feedback Develop a work plan, and training plan to build the capacity of MOLSA/CWC to engage in the consultative process Identify/develop training tools and expertise of the CWC Implement training of MOLSA staff 4. Guide the development of advocacy and communication strategies in close liaison with UNICEF and MoLSA Media Department (10 days) 5. Work closely with UNICEF to assist with the development of interventions in governorates, linked to the consultation and participation of stakeholders, and children in particular (10 days) 6. Draft final Policy Option Papers based on outcomes of the consultation process (10 days) 7. Facilitate the endorsement of the final Child Protection Policy (10 days) Develop strategies for advocacy and communication campaigns Draft advocacy materials to inform the public Analyse information collected during consultation process for the Policy Option Papers Draft final Policy Options Paper Facilitate the engagement of policy dialogue with CWC, MOLSA and other selected government partners Participate in a final conference for main stakeholders 8.Develop an implementation action plan (15 days) Advise UNICEF and MOLSA on the mobilisation of governorate stakeholders around the CPP endorsement Draft an action plan for policy implementation with a budgeting plan Qualifications, skills and attributes a) Education (education/training required, including skills in equipment operation) Advanced university degree in social sciences, social policy, or other relevant field. b) Work Experience (length and type of practical experiences required) Ten years of progressively professional work experience in the development, implementation, management and evaluation of child protection programs and development of social policy. c) Languages (languages required and desirable) Good knowledge, both written and oral, of Arabic and English. d) Other skills and attributes (such as drafting ability, organisational or analytical skills) ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions. 4

5 analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills. leadership and teamwork abilities. commitment to continuous learning for professional development. computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications. demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization. initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF s mission and professional values. Submission of Expression of Interest (EoI) Interested suppliers/service providers are encouraged to complete and submit the EOI form below. EOIs should be sent on to: iraqsupply@unicef.org rdhall@unicef.org adesousa@unicef.org salmukhtar@unicef.org not later than 14:00 hrs (Baghdad Time) on 21 July Please quote REOI-IRAQ as subject in your correspondence. A response to this Request for Expression of Interest does not automatically ensure that you will be selected to participate in the RFP. UNICEF reserves the right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or solicitation process. UNICEF also reserves the right to require compliance with additional conditions as and when issuing the final tender document. If you have any additional question about this REOI, please contact Sarmad Al-Mukhtar, salmukhtar@unicef.org. 5