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The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support for research, consolidation and drafting of an ASEAN Regional Progress Report on the implementation of the ASEAN Declaration and Regional Plan of Action on Children in the Context of Migration (RPA CCM). UNICEF has committed to supporting ASEAN in conducting a mid-term review of the RPA CCM, which is part of the EU-funded Action “Ensuring Decent Work and Reducing Vulnerabilities for Women and Children in the Context of Labour Migration in Southeast Asia” (hereinafter PROTECT).
Background:
Following the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Rights of Children in the Context of Migration in 2019, a ten-year Regional Plan of Action on Implementing the ASEAN Declaration on the Rights of Children in the Context of Migration (RPA on CCM) for 2021-2030 was developed to guide ASEAN Member States on its implementation.
The Regional Plan of Action provides a comprehensive framework for protecting the rights of children affected by migration within ASEAN Member States. It emphasizes the importance of regional and bilateral child protection networks for effective case management and cross-border collaboration. The plan advocates for non-custodial, community-based alternatives to immigration detention, prioritizing family-based care for unaccompanied or separated children. It also highlights the need for mechanisms that ensure the meaningful participation of children in decisions that impact their lives, thereby taking their views into account in both immigration and child protection decisions.
Child Protection and Migration Satellite Unit at UNICEF’s Center of Excellence in Bangkok is supporting the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) in guiding the ASEAN Member States on the mid-term review to reflect on the implementation to date and identify priority areas in need of attention to accelerate progress over the remaining five years of the RPA (2026-2030). The mid-term review will measure advancement in implementation of the following key focus areas of the RPA in the ASEAN region:
- Focus Area 1: Policies and procedures are strengthened to enhance the accessibility to child protection systems for all children in the context of migration.
- Focus Area 2: Policies and procedures are strengthened to enhance accessibility to basic services, i.e., quality healthcare, age-appropriate food and nutrition, clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, education, social protection, a safe place to live, a clean and safe environment, and psychosocial support services for children in the context of migration.
- Focus Area 3: The capacity of relevant actors – law enforcers, social workers, service providers, civil society organizations and others – is increased to respond, in a multidisciplinary manner, to the rights and needs of children in the context of migration.
- Focus Area 4: The evidence base on the situation of children in the context of migration is further strengthened by improving and investing in the collection and analysis of accurate, reliable, and comparable data, disaggregated by sex, age, migration status and other characteristics relevant in national contexts, including contributing factors to the movement, where such data is available.
- Focus Area 5: Networking and partnerships within and among ASEAN Member States as well as with international organizations, National Human Rights Institutions, ASEAN dialogue partners, civil society organizations, the private sector and other countries are strengthened in supporting and assisting the effective implementation of the commitments made in the ASEAN Declaration on the Rights of Children in the Context of Migration.
If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: TMC0003097 ToR.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:
Minimum requirements:
- Education: University Degree (Master’s) in social sciences or a related field (human rights, migration studies, child rights, social work)
- Work Experience:
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in international development, with a focus on children’s rights, child protection, climate change, human rights or migration.
- Proven experience in conducting rigorous research and analysis on children’s rights, migration, and child welfare issues.
- Demonstrated experience in drafting high-quality analytical reports, including on sensitive and complex topics.
- Language requirement: For every Child, you demonstrate... 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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. 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. Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System): Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers. 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. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Strong drafting, editing, and written communication skills in English
- Skills: Excellent organizational, coordination, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Desirables: Experience in drafting reports and supporting engagement with ASEAN sectoral bodies, including coordination and organization of events involving ASEAN Member States
- An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- A separate financial proposal TMC0003097 Financial Proposal Template.docx
