International Consultant |Positive Parenting for Child Development (P4CD), Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, (12 Months)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Protection

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to provide high-level technical expertise to develop a comprehensive, integrated community-based child protection mechanisms model in Papua New Guinea. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF PNG, the National Office of Child and Family Services (NOCFS), provincial child protection officers, and implementing partners to:

• Design and operationalize a community-based child protection mechanisms model that integrates P4CD, Child Friendly Spaces, girls’ empowerment programme, and referral pathways
• Identify, define the role of, and build capacity of community-level child protection focal points (child defenders)
• Develop practical toolkits, training packages, and monitoring systems to support model implementation
• Ensure the strategy is embedded in national and provincial child protection policies and plans
• Provide technical support to implementing partners for the ongoing delivery of P4CD programme

Scope of the Work:

The consultant will work under the supervision of UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection, in close coordination with NOCFS, provincial child protection officers, and implementing partners. The consultant will provide strategic and technical support with the following key deliverables:

1. Development of Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms Model

• Conduct comprehensive desk review of existing community structures, child protection interventions (P4CD, CFS, girls’ empowerment programmes), and referral systems
• Undertake field assessments in targeted provinces to map community-based child protection structures, assess their functionality, gaps, and opportunities for integration
• Design an integrated community-based child protection mechanisms model that brings together P4CD, CFS, girls’ empowerment programmes, and referral pathways into a cohesive system
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms for different actors (Child Defenders, facilitators, community leaders, service providers)
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the community-based child protection mechanisms, including simple and user friendly protocols for case identification, referral, and follow-up
• Ensure the model is gender-responsive, culturally appropriate, and aligned with national child protection policies and strategies

2. Identification and Capacity Building of Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders)

• Define the role, responsibilities, and selection criteria for Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders)
• Develop a toolkit for the Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders) covering: child rights promotion, identification of children at risk, basic psychosocial support, referral mechanisms, and community mobilization
• Create a comprehensive training package for the Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders), including facilitator guides, participant materials, and assessment tools
• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) for provincial child protection officers and implementing partners on delivering CBCP mechanism and the Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders) training
• Support the rollout of Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders) training in targeted communities, utilizing existing P4CD and CFS facilitators as potential focal points
• Establish mentoring and support mechanisms for Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders), including regular supervision, refresher training, and peer learning opportunities.

 3. Development of Referral Pathways and Service Linkages

• Map existing child protection services and service providers at the community, district and provincial levels (health, education, social welfare, justice, police, civil society)
• Develop clear referral pathways linking the Community-based Child Protection Focal Points (Child Defenders) and community-based interventions to formal child protection services
• Design referral tools and templates (referral forms, consent forms, feedback mechanisms) that are user-friendly and appropriate for community-level use
• Facilitate coordination meetings between community actors and service providers to establish functional referral partnerships
• Support the development of feedback mechanisms to ensure children and families referred receive appropriate support

4. Policy Integration and Institutionalization

• Conduct advocacy and coordination meetings with NOCFS, provincial administrations, and relevant line ministries to secure buy-in for the community-based child protection mechanisms model
• Support the integration of the model into national child protection policies, strategies, and implementation plans
• Work with provincial child protection officers to embed the model in provincial child protection plans and budgets
• Develop advocacy materials and policy briefs to promote government ownership and resource allocation for community-based child protection mechanisms
• Support the establishment of coordination mechanisms at national and provincial levels to oversee model implementation

5. Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Tools

• Design a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for the community-based child protection mechanisms model
• Develop practical monitoring tools for tracking model implementation, including: activity tracking forms, activity logs, referral tracking forms, and case follow-up tools
• Create indicators to measure the effectiveness, referral pathways, and integrated interventions
• Support the establishment of data collection and reporting systems that link community-level data to district and provincial child protection information systems
• Conduct regular reviews of monitoring data and provide technical feedback to implementing partners on programme quality and fidelity

6. Technical Support to P4CD Programme Implementation

• Provide ongoing technical guidance to implementing partners on the delivery of P4CD sessions, ensuring programme fidelity and quality
• Support the rollout of revised P4CD modules (0-3 years, 3-10 years, 10-18 years) with gender-transformative approaches
• Conduct field visits to observe P4CD sessions, provide mentoring to facilitators, and identify areas for improvement
• Organize refresher training and peer learning sessions for P4CD facilitators to maintain quality standards
• Support implementing partners in data collection and reporting on P4CD programme reach, participation, and outcomes
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and case studies from P4CD implementation for knowledge sharing and advocacy

7. Capacity Building of Implementing Partners and Stakeholders

• Conduct capacity assessment of implementing partners (CSOs, FBOs) on community-based child protection approaches
• Design and deliver tailored capacity building workshops for implementing partners on: integrated programming, case management, referral systems, and child safeguarding
• Provide technical support to provincial and district child protection officers to strengthen their coordination and supervision of community-based child protection mechanisms
• Facilitate learning exchanges and peer support networks among implementing partners to share experiences and good practices.

As a champion for every child, qualifications are… 

• Master’s degree in social science, education or any related field.
• At least five years’ experience at national and international level in: – Positive parenting program design – Social, behavioral change, and community engagement interventions. – Developing IEC materials – Gender equality programming and GVB programming – Solid experience in policy development and capacity building, especially in Child Protection – Experience in assessment, research, and monitoring – Proven expertise and work record in working with government structures and coordinating different stakeholders at national or subnational levels. – Excellent knowledge of the English language
• The assignment is full-time, and the consultant is expected to be in PNG for a total of 5 months, divided into two missions (each mission will last at least 2.5 months).

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.