National Consultant on the Operationalization of the Child Protection System with UNICEF Kazakhstan

The National Consultant will work in close coordination with the International Expert, the Orken Institute and UNICEF Kazakhstan to support the development and contextual adaptation of operational tools for the child protection system (including Standard Operating Procedures on case management, inter-agency procedures, a Monitoring and Evaluation framework, and ethical and legal data-handling standards) and to assist the co-design and roll-out of an eighty-hour in-service training programme and a sixteen-hour specialized course on responding to violence against children, including sexual abuse and online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to be protected! 

The National Consultant will work in close coordination with the International Expert, the Orken Institute and UNICEF Kazakhstan to support the development and contextual adaptation of operational tools for the child protection system (including Standard Operating Procedures on case management, inter-agency procedures, a Monitoring and Evaluation framework, and ethical and legal data-handling standards) and to assist the co-design and roll-out of an eighty-hour in-service training programme and a sixteen-hour specialized course on responding to violence against children, including sexual abuse and online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The National Consultant processes the International Expert’s recommendations in consultation with the Orken Institute and ensures the quality and consistency of all working versions including draft SOPs, training materials, methodological notes, and M&E tools. Final approval of deliverables is the responsibility of the Orken Institute, jointly with the competent ministry.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Institutional roles mapping
The National Consultant updates the mapping of the child protection system - covering structures, mandates, functions and responsibilities, referral pathways and collaboration mechanisms with consultations with practitioners from two to three regions and reflecting the latest legislation and practice. The National Consultant processes the International Expert’s comments and recommendations and, where needed, participates in discussions with nominated decision-makers and members of parliament. The National Consultant ensures the quality and completeness of the updated mapping. The International Expert finalizes the institutional roles brief on the basis of the updated mapping.
2. Standard Operating Procedures and operational instruments (adaptation with two to three regions)
The National Consultant supports the Orken Institute in adapting the Regulations, competency standards and Standard Operating Procedures on case management prepared by the International Expert to the context of Kazakhstan, including joint adaptation with practitioners from two to three regions. The National Consultant processes the International Expert’s comments together with the Orken Institute and, where needed, participates in discussions with nominated decision-makers and members of parliament. The National Consultant ensures internal consistency and practical applicability.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation framework (adaptation with two to three regions)
The National Consultant supports the adaptation of the Monitoring and Evaluation framework prepared by the International Expert (which covers the indicator matrix, routine reporting instruments, and tools and templates for data collection, analysis and use). National Consultant will conduct consultations with practitioners from two to three regions ( to be identified at later stage). The National Consultant processes the International Expert’s comments and recommendations together with the Orken Institute and, where needed, participates in discussions with nominated decision-makers and members of parliament. The National Consultant ensures methodological soundness and feasibility of the framework.
4. Inter-agency procedures and cooperation agreements (adaptation with two to three regions)
The National Consultant supports the adaptation of the inter-agency procedures prepared by the International Expert (which covers guardianship and child protection, social protection, education, health, law enforcement and the judiciary-specifying referral routes, response timelines, feedback loops and procedures for convening case conferences), with contributions from practitioners in two to three regions. The National Consultant processes the International Expert’s comments and recommendations together with the Orken Institute and, where needed, participates in discussions with authorized decision-makers and members of parliament. The National Consultant ensures clarity and usability in practice.
5. Ethical and legal standards in case management (adaptation with two to three regions)
The National Consultant supports the adaptation of the provisions prepared by the International Expert on informed consent and assent, confidentiality, personal data protection, information-sharing and role-based access, aligned with national requirements, and checks practical applicability with practitioners in two to three regions. The National Consultant processes the International Expert’s comments together with the Orken Institute and, where needed, participates in discussions with nominated decision-makers and members of parliament. The National Consultant ensures compliance and internal coherence.
6. In-service training programme (80 academic hours)
The National Consultant supports the Orken Institute and the International Expert in the co-design and refinement of the eighty-hour modular programme for social workers, psychologists and 111 helpline specialists within guardianship and child protection authorities; participates as needed in alignment meetings with authorities; processes comments between the Orken Institute and the International Expert; supports the Orken Institute in finalization; and ensures the quality of the final package.
7. Specialized course on responding to violence against children, including sexual abuse and online child sexual exploitation and abuse (16 academic hours).
The National Consultant supports the Orken Institute and the International Expert in adapting, refining and further developing the sixteen-hour course to the national context, enhancing practical applicability through local case studies and exercises; participates as needed in alignment meetings with authorities; processes comments between the Orken Institute and the International Expert; supports the Orken Institute in finalization; and ensures the quality of the final package, consistent with the Caring for Child Survivors guidelines.
8. Training of Trainers and trainer pool
The National Consultant supports preparation of Training of Trainers materials and facilitation tools and co-delivers Training of Trainers sessions jointly with the Orken Institute and the International Expert; agrees trainer selection and certification criteria with the Orken Institute; gathers participant feedback and integrates adjustments; and participates as needed in discussions with authorised officials.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  New CP Departments and In service training_p.docx

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Minimum of a master’s degree in social work, Law, Psychology, Public Administration, or a related social science field
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in in developing, adapting, and quality-assuring Standard Operating Procedures or other normative legal documents in the social sector; experience specifically in case management is an advantage.
• Skills: Excellent coordination, stakeholder engagement and presentation skills; ability to prepare clear, concise and insightful analytical outputs and training materials, with experience in designing and delivering training programmes.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required for coordination, reporting, and communication with international partners; Fluency in Kazakh and Russian is required for effective interaction and communication with national counterparts and stakeholders.

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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. 

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.