Iraq: Child Protection Consultant (Assessment)
Country: Iraq
Closing date: 18 Aug 2013
Post Title : Child Protection Consultant (Assessment)
Contract type : SSA
Proposed level : corresponding L 3
Duration : Three months
Duty Station : Dohuk with travel to Erbil and Sulaymania
Supervisor : Emergency Specialist
BACKGROUND
Over two years of armed conflict has created calamitous conditions for Syrians, affecting mostly children and women, and fled to the neighbouring countries to seek protection. Iraq is one of those countries which have been receiving the influx of the refugees - as of today approximately 160,000 Syrians have sought refuge in Iraq. The over whelming majority (95 per cent) are located in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region with the remaining located in either Al-Qaim camp (pop. 5,500) in Al-Anbar province or dispersed in other locations within central and southern Iraq (580). Of those in Kurdistan, the majority are located in Dohuk governorate (100,600) followed by Erbil (38,200) and Sulimaniyeh (14,460). Domiz camp in Dohuk—the largest in Iraq—is home to 45,000 Syrians. Children and young people under the age of 18 comprise 39 per cent of the refugee population (62,400).
The livelihoods of Syrian families have been severely interrupted by the crisis, with large-scale displacement, decreased agricultural harvests, loss of economic assets and a decrease in the number of people receiving Government salaries’. ‘Disruption of agricultural activities, breakdown of the Government’s food subsidy programme, and devaluation … are all factors causing significant price increases’. Poverty is one of the results of protracted emergencies, and one of the leading root causes of child labour, and worse forms of child labour. When poor households spend the bulk of their income on food, the income provided by working children is often critical to their survival. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq most Syrians entering the country are relying on dwindling savings or financial assistance from relatives and most have not found secure employment; therefore, because it is easier for minors than adults to find work in the low paid informal sector, child labour has developed into a worrying trend across the region. The Joint Rapid Needs Assessment of Syrians in the Kurdish Region conducted in July 2012 found that child labour was occurring in Dohuk, Domiz camp and Erbil; In Domiz, some children are selling cigarettes, mobile phone credit, and vegetables, while in Dohuk and Erbil some of the older children/adolescents work as daily labourers (mainly in construction), often under difficult conditions with long working hours and low salaries. The Child Protection Rapid Assessment conducted in Domiz camp and Dohuk in January 2013 reported that a high number of key informants said that most families had a child working; 26% mentioned that the children working come from vulnerable families, with children as young as 6 years engaged in some form of child labour, however most commonly, children 12 years and above. Sexual transaction for money (both girls and boys) was also mentioned but is a very sensitive subject and very limited information was shared about this.
PURPOSE
Responding adequately to the issue of child labour requires a coordinated multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral approach that targets the root causes of this phenomenon, and this is not established in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq at this time. UNICEF is planning to lead a multi-stakeholder coherent response to WFCL and child labour in the KRG. There is currently insufficient data and knowledge about Syrian refugee children involved in labour in the KRG to develop a targeted response. A child protection assessment focusing on child labour will provide clarification on the extent of this phenomenon, the drivers, root causes, ages of children involved, parents knowledge attitudes and beliefs, places where children work, work place conditions, presence of worse forms of child labour and geographical distribution. Based on this information, a targeted but comprehensive approach to child labour can be developed, across the region with a focus on Domiz, Dohuk, Erbil and Sulamaniya. The assessment will also target identified protection concerns and child protection information gaps Domiz and Dohuk, in Erbil and Sulamaniya to inform the child protection response in urban settings and the Dar Es Salam camp. Finally, the assessment team set up for the purpose of this child protection (child labour) assessment will not operate as a one-off activity, but will be capacitated and supported to carry out further assessments as the need arises and will undertake monitoring on identified aspects of the assessment findings.
Under the general supervision of the Chief Child Protection, and in close collaboration with the Child Protection Specialist (Emergencies), the Emergency Coordinator and heads of Zonal Offices and CP officers, the Child Protection Specialist (Assessment) will plan and implement the child protection (child labour) assessment across the KRG. The Specialist will be based in Dohuk with frequent travel to Domiz camp, Erbil, and Sulaymania.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assessment Responsibilities
• Together with the assessment management team, adapt the CPRA methodology to the child protection (child labour) assessment context:
o Identify what we need to know
o Develop questionnaires (Child protection and child labour)
o Decide on sampling
o Develop training material
• Support the process of identification and interviewing of assessors and interpreters, and work closely with the Chief of Child Protection and Operations team to follow up on HR related tasks for the assessment team (recruitment, payment etc)
• Based on the CPRA methodology, together with the Child Protection Specialist (emergency), train the assessment implementation team in assessment and monitoring
• Together with the Child Protection Specialist (emergency) support the assessment data collection process
• With support and inputs from the Child Protection Specialist compile the assessment analysis and report
o Undertake background research
o Write analysis with inputs and guidance from CPS
o Release draft to Chief of Child Protection, and Emergency Coordinators for feedback before release
• Together with the Child Protection Specialist (Emergency) present findings to a stakeholder workshop and input into the response plan
DELIVERABLES*
• Weekly activity reports
• Assessment methodology
• Assessor training package
• Assessment results
• Agreements with partners as applicable
Report describing:
• The type and the distribution of child labour, including WFCL;
• The context of child labor, including their socio-economic and cultural determinants in family, community and society;
• Description of existing legislation, policies and measures to prevent, protect and respond to children involved in labour and WFCL; and the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders;
• Recommendations for coherent multi-stakeholder programme to prevent, protect and respond to child labors including WFCL including monitoring framework based on the Child Protection System Building Approach.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS*
• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Law, Child Psychology, Humanitarian Affairs, Development studies or other relevant field.
• At least 5 years (of which at least 3 in the field) with either the UN and/or NGO, especially in emergency settings, of progressively responsible professional experience in child protection in emergencies.
• Experience working in region is an asset
• Prior experience of working in emergency situation with direct responsibilities for protection
• Fluent in English and knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.
• Ability to work through networking and with partnership
• Experience in child protection assessments, analysis and report writing (CPRA preferable)
• UNICEF experience is an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
Critical Competencies:
I) Core Competencies (Required)
? Communication
? Working with People
? Drive for Results
II) Functional Competencies (Required)
? Leading and Formulating Strategies and Concepts
? Analysing
? Relating and Networking
? Deciding and Initiating Action
? Applying Technical Expertise
Technical Knowledge
Knowledge of child protection assessment methodologies (CPRA preferred)
DUTY STATION AND TRAVEL
Kurdistan Region of Iraq
How to apply:
APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should submit applications together with updated CV and P11 form, as well as the two most recent Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs) to iraqrecruite@unicef.org by 18 August 2013. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
