Consultancy for Programme Specialist in Kuwait- Gulf Area Office for 7 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, education

The overall goal of this consultancy is to support the planning and implementation of UNICEF program in Kuwait, with particular focus on Child Protection (CP), Social Policy (SP) and Data for Children (DfC) components. The only programs staff residing in Kuwait is the current Gulf Area Office (GAO) Chief of Early Childhood Development (ECD) who oversees the implementation of all ECD programs in KSA, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. At the same time, a number of CP, SP and DfC programmatic initiatives – from  development of policy documents to trainings of service providers, campaigns aimed at changing behaviors and social norms, youth initiatives, child-related research, child friendly hospitals, etc – requiring additional technical expertise. Specifically, technical expertise and administrative support would be needed for implementation of Youth Ambassador Program, Child Protection Roadmap, Parenting for Lifelong Health Initiative, UNICEF/UNHCR Citizenship Law reforms, Green Public Spaces Initiative, Family Friendly Policies study, Children Without Parental Care Conference and organization of ECD, CP and SP webinars, trainings and high-level meetings.

While the consultant will work closely with the Chief of Early Childhood Development in Kuwait and would receive technical advice, guidance and support from her, consultant’s direct engagement, technical knowledge, considerable time, effort and networking would be required in order to assure all deliverables related to the above mentioned programs are completed and all expected results for 2024 are achieved. For that reason, UNICEF GAO aims to hire one junior consultant with strong background in public health, child protection and child rights to provide support and produce specific deliverables (listed below) within the period of 7 months, starting from March 1st, 2024 to October 1st, 2024.

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will undertake a number of specific activities related to implementation of ECD, CP and Data for Children program components, as well as support the office with basic administrative work necessary for implementation of these programs and achievement of specific deliverables. Specifically, the consultant will undertake the following activities:

• Assist in managing the Young Ambassador program, communicate with partner agencies, embassies and oversee UNICEF Young Ambassador’s engagement, growth and participation.
• Provide support in the implementation of projects on Child Protection, Early Childhood development and Data for Children
• Assist with the design and management of new projects, and support the implementation of activities in various municipalities
• Support implementation of campaigns related to UNICEF CP and ECD programs, liaise with Communication and Partnership departments to execute implementation of these campaigns

• Conduct field visits to liaise with partners, monitor and evaluate ongoing activites, prepare meeting minutes, trip reports and recommend adjustments as needed

• Attend meetings with governmental and non-governmental counterparts and if needed, serve as a translator/interpreter

• Liaise with and provide technical support to other UN agencies, government counterparts and non-governmental organizations in implementation of  Citizenship Law reforms, Green Public Spaces Initiative, Family Friendly Policies study, Children Without Parental Care Conference and baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative
• Draft internal and external reports, as requested, communicate with RO as requested
• Support currently ongoing research, particularly Family Friendly Policies study and will document/collect best practices on child health, child protection and social protection related matters, projects, international standards and new trends, in order to keep the office abreast of recent developments

• Support the overall functioning of Kuwait GAO Program Section, with other relevant tasks assigned on an on-going basis, as needed, including provision of support to other GAO countries if required
• Provide administrative support (drafting letters, scheduling meetings, translating letters, taking notes, organizing logistics, transport, IT, etc.), if required
• Follow up with UNICEF-led initiatives being implemented in Kuwait; specifically serve as administrative liaison with technical staff within the government (particularly those not proficient in English)
• Support in organizing webinars, trainings, meetings and other program-related forums

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

• Masters Degree in Public Health or Social.
• Knowledge of UNICEF programs in GAO, particularly Child Protection.
• Understanding of UN operational procedures.
• Familiarity with government structures.
• Mastery of written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Knowledge of Child Rights, Child Development, Child Protection and basics of scientific research method.
• Awareness of UNICEF initiatives and programs in GAO.
• Familiarity with GAO countries’ context and culture.
• Experience in functioning and logistics in UNICEF

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

Remarks:  

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

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.