National Consultant for Child Justice Reform at UNICEF Nigeria

UNICEF's mission in Nigeria is to help governments at all levels, organizations, communities and families provide every child with education, health, equality and protection.

UNICEF Nigeria seeks the services of a suitable and qualified candidate to fill the below position:

Job Title: National Consultant for Child Justice Reform

Vacancy number: VN-NGR-54-2014
Location: Abuja
Level: Midlevel
Contract Type: Short Service Agreement (SSA)
Duration: 11 months

Job Description

• UNICEF is partnering with UNODC to support the Government to implement a major European Union (EU) funded programme of reform of the justice sector. UNICEF is responsible for implementing key components of the reform programme related to child justice, in order to strengthen the capacity of the justice system to handle cases of children in conflict and conflict with the law in line with international standards and the national Child Rights Act 2003 in 10 States, in particular, the programme will promote child specialism throughout the justice system, promote diversion and alternatives to custody pre- and post-trial and strengthen protection of children in detention.

Purpose of the consultancy:

• Provide expert support to the Government to reform the child justice system
• Ensure timely implementation of key components of the child justice reform programme

Major Tasks to be accomplished:

• Support the efforts of the Nigerian Police Force to strengthen their capacity to effectively handle to children's cases.
• Support the efforts of the Judiciary to strengthen the capacity of Family Courts
• Conduct a bottleneck analysis for child justice in two focus States
• Work with legal aid providers the Nigeria Police Force Judiciary Nigeria Prisons Service and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to increase access of children in conflict with the law to legal aid and improve the quality of the legal aid.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required

• Advanced University degree in Social Sciences or Law.
• 5 years professional experience in the justice and/or child protection sector
• Experience of working with government and NGO partners to implement justice and/or child protection programmes
• Understanding of the international and national framework for child justice
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Strong advocacy and written skills
• Fluency in English

Desirable specialized knowledge/experience:

• Experience in implementing child justice reform programmes.
• Experience in designing and implementing legal aid programmes.

Application Closing Date
1st January, 2015

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should send his/her application, accompanied by updated CV in English and a completed United Nations Personal History Form to: [email protected]

Click Here to Download the United Nations Personal History Form

Please put the position title you are applying for on the subject line of your email.

Note: Well qualified candidates, particularly women are strongly encouraged to apply.