Consultancy to support protected listening and integrated child protection, rio de janeiro, brazil, 3 months

The consultancy will support UNICEF’s work to strengthen integrated child protection services and advance the implementation of the Protected Listening Law in Rio de Janeiro. It will focus on three complementary areas: disseminating agreed care procedures in the state capital; strengthening interinstitutional cooperation, with particular attention to the engagement of the state government in the capital; and generating an evidence base to inform the identification and care of children and adolescents who are victims of violence.

In the city of Rio de Janeiro, the consultant will develop a communication plan to disseminate the integrated care flow and unified care protocol across relevant child protection services. This work will promote a shared understanding of institutional responsibilities and care procedures, supporting coordination among the services involved in responding to violence against children and adolescents.

At the state level, the consultant will provide technical support to draft and finalize a cooperation agreement for the State Pact to implement the Protected Listening Law, with a focus on state government engagement in the capital. The proposed agreement will align with the law and UNICEF’s quality standards and support institutional commitments to coordinated implementation.

The consultancy will also undertake a desk review of national and international best practices and protocols for identifying and providing care to children and adolescents who are victims of violence. The review will provide technical references to inform the strengthening of integrated child protection responses.

Together, these deliverables will support clearer communication of care procedures, stronger institutional cooperation, and evidence-informed approaches to protecting children and adolescents from violence.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The consultancy will provide technical support for the development of a communication plan to disseminate the integrated care flow and unified care protocol among relevant services and professionals in the city of Rio de Janeiro, including priority audiences, key messages, dissemination channels and an implementation schedule.

The consultancy will provide technical support for drafting and finalizing a cooperation agreement for the State Pact to implement the Protected Listening Law, with particular attention to state government engagement in the capital and the definition of institutional roles, responsibilities and commitments in consultation with UNICEF and relevant partners.

The consultancy will provide a desk review of national and international best practices and protocols for identifying and providing care to children and adolescents who are victims of violence, including a synthesis of findings and practical recommendations to strengthen integrated child protection responses in Rio de Janeiro.

DELIVERABLES

1. Work Assignment overview 1: Strategy to Disseminate the Integrated Care Flow and Unified Care Protocol in Rio de Janeiro’s Capital
   • Deliverables/Outputs Develop a communication plan to disseminate the integrated care flow and unified care protocol across all relevant CP services in Rio de Janeiro’s capital. Deliver a digital document containing the plan.
   • Deadline 30 days from the contract start date
   • Estimate Budget 33%
2. Work Assignment overview 2: Draft Cooperation Agreement for the State Pact to Implement the Protected Listening Law with a Focus on the Engagement of the State Government in the Capital
   • Deliverables/Outputs Draft and finalize a Cooperation Agreement for the State Pact, ensuring compliance with the Protected Listening Law and UNICEF’s quality standards. Deliver a digital document containing the draft agreement.
   • Deadline 50 days from the contract start date
   • Estimate Budget 33%
3. Work Assignment overview 3: Desk review of Best Practices and Protocols to Identify and Attend Children and Adolescents Victims of Violence
   • Deliverables/Outputs Develop a desk review regarding best practices and protocols nationally and internationally on identifying and attending children and adolescents victims of violence. Deliver a digital document containing the desk review.
   • Deadline 60 days from the contract start date
   • Estimate Budget 33%

DURATION OF CONTRACT:

3 months

TRAVEL PLAN

No

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENT

• A first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, International Relations, Law, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Philosophy, History, Geography, Communication, or another relevant field within the humanities and social sciences.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in areas related to the scope of the consultancy, including public policy, social development, human rights, programme management, institutional partnerships, or advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international organizations.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations for different audiences.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills and the ability to engage constructively with government counterparts, build consensus, and advance agreed objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to human rights, equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Fluency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken, is required.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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 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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: PROCEDURES AND LOGISTICS

• Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationery. UNICEF will provide office space for consultative meetings when needed.
• Consultant’s, travel costs should be included in the consultant’s fee.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant and mandatory courses are completed.
• Consultants will not have any representative, certifying, or approving authority, or supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.
• The consultant will work remotely on a delivery basis.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

• Costs indicated are estimated. Final rate shall follow “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee.
• A financial proposal including the fee for the assignment based on the deliverables and number of days must be submitted. Consultants are asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum, administrative cost, travel cost and subsistence costs, as applicable.
• The payment will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

INSURANCE AND HEALTH COVERAGE

• The contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expenses, such life, health, and other forms of insurance covering the term of the contract as he or she considers appropriate.
• The contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members.

RESTRICTIONS

• Consultants may not receive training at the expense of UNICEF. Notwithstanding, consultants must complete the applicable mandatory trainings before the signature of the contract.
• In case of government officials, the contract cannot be issued without prior written clearance by the Government, or unless on leave without pay.

REMARKS:

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.