TERMS OF REFERENCE
The purpose of this assignment is to support the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MHSPP) as the lead institution, and UNICEF in strengthening the national response to child victims and witnesses of violence, particularly sexual violence, through evidence-based and child-friendly approaches.
Education
Masters degree in law, child protection, social work, social policy, psychology, criminology, forensic psychology, public policy, or another relevant discipline.
Work experience
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in child protection, justice for children, violence against children (VAC), or child protection systems strengthening, with demonstrated expertise in conducting feasibility studies, institutional and legal assessments, multidisciplinary/interagency (MDI) responses to violence against children, and the design or implementation of Barnahus or comparable service models.
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex multistakeholder assignments involving government counterparts, justice institutions, and social services.
• Proven experience in conducting legal and policy analysis related to criminal justice, child protection and/or justice sector reform.
• Excellent analytical, research, and report writing skills.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills
• Specialized experience in justice for children area, forensic interviewing of child victims and witnesses, criminal procedure and evidentiary standards for children.
• Strong knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Lanzarote Convention, Barnahus Quality Standards, and international standards on child victims and witnesses of crime.
• Knowledge of the NICHD Protocol or other internationally recognized evidence-based forensic interviewing methodologies is required.
• Familiarity with child protection, justice, and social protection reforms in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is highly desirable. Experience in Tajikistan or Central Asia would be an advantage.
Language Requirements
• Excellent command of English is required. Working knowledge of Russian is an asset.
Desirables
• Demonstrated experience in developing, adapting, or implementing national forensic interviewing protocols based on evidence-based methodologies (e.g. NICHD Protocol).
• Experience in training investigators, prosecutors, judges, psychologists and social workers on forensic interviewing and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience facilitating high-level consultations, validation workshops and capacity-building initiatives with government institutions and multidisciplinary stakeholders.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
Remarks
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.