Consultancy - CRC Implementation Handbook Update (Phase Four), Programme Strategy and Coordination Hub – Human Rights Unit, PG, NYHQ (Remote) - Req # 577099

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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, hope

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: CRC Implementation Handbook Update – Phase Four Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Programme Strategy and Coordination Hub – Human Rights Unit, Programme Group, NYHQ

Duration: 15 December 2024 to 15 December 2025

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child has long been considered the most comprehensive guidance available on interpretation of the Convention. It was first issued by UNICEF (following a lengthy consultative development process involving many varied stakeholders from the human rights and child rights community) in January 1998, followed by second and third editions in 2002 and 2007, respectively.

The Implementation Handbook has become a well-known practical tool used by governments, UNICEF and other United Nations agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations, human rights institutions and academics, to guide them on the implementation of the Convention. UNICEF has a responsibility to ensure that it contains the most contemporary and up-to-date analysis of the Convention in line with UNICEF’s position as the thought-leader on child rights.

The child rights agenda, including relevant jurisprudence, has evolved significantly in many areas since the Implementation Handbook was last revised in 2007. Additionally, the 775-plus page hard copy of the Implementation Handbook requires updating for the twenty-first century, when information needs also to be made available online.

UNICEF therefore decided in 2021 that it is imperative that the Implementation Handbook be updated in content to incorporate the latest thinking, analysis and jurisprudence on the Convention (including Concluding Observations, General Comments, and OPIC decisions), and that it be updated in format to ensure that it is fully accessible in the twenty-first century to all.

Phases One of this project was initiated on that basis in 2021, and Phases One, Two and Three concluded over the course of 2021 – 2024. In the context of Phase One – Three, and in consultation with a diverse range of stakeholders, a methodology and roadmap for the comprehensive updating of the Implementation Handbook was developed, and the drafting of 22 interlinked articles was successfully concluded.

The ToRs presented here are for Phase Four of the project which will focus on the drafting of the remaining chapters of the Handbook and the finalisation of the updated Handbook, with final publication now planned for 2026.

Scope of Work:

The Consultant will work within, provide support to, and be supported by the PG Human Rights Unit. The Consultant will be required to work across all relevant UNICEF Divisions, with partners such as other UN entities, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, academic institutions, human rights/child rights NGOs, and other civil society actors.

The main tasks of the Consultant are as follows:

• Drafting of updated Handbook chapters for the remaining 20 CRC articles (Articles 2, 3, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 31,33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41/42, 43+).
• Liaison between UNIC