Maldives: International consultant- Strengthening Capacity of Social Workers Working with Children in Conflict with Law

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reference Number: TOR/2018/12 International Consultant

Strengthening Capacity of Social Workers Working with Children in Conflict with Law

1. Background & Purpose

Background: One emerging issue of concern is the increasing number of children in conflict with the law. In response to growing incidents of crimes committed by children, several reform initiatives have been initiated, with a view to promoting diversion and improving rehabilitation and reintegration through child centered specialized juvenile justice system to keep in line with the UNCRC, Riyadh Guidelines, Beijing Rules, JDL rules and Tokyo Rules.

In 2010, the Juvenile Justice Unit (JJU) was officially set up under Ministry of Home affairs of Maldives. The main functions of the unit include prevention of juvenile crimes as well as to work with children in conflict with the law to assist them in their rehabilitation and to reintegrate them back into the community. JJU is also mandated to work with other law enforcement agencies in providing children in conflict with law (CiCL) alternative options without resorting to judicial proceedings. Furthermore, JJU, in collaboration with other stakeholders, are also expected identify causes of offending behaviour (among children) and to implement measures or programs to address them. Nationally, between 2010 to 2016 there has been an overall increase in the number of juvenile offenders referred to juvenile justice unit (JJU). During this time, 948 juvenile offender cases were referred and out of which 407 cases are registered as active cases. The vast majority of cases of children in conflict with the law, reported during this period, were between the age of 16 and 18 years. In 2016, out of the reported 319 juvenile offender cases, 94 percent were males while 6 percent were females. The most prevalent types of crimes committed during this period have been substance abuse, violent assault, possession of drugs, and theft. Furthermore, in 2016, crime records showed adolescents’ involvement in crimes such as blackmailing, forced sexual misconduct, intoxicating liquors production, possession, sale and distribution, and dissemination of pornographic material. Therefore, it is believed that children and adolescents are being used and exploited by largely by drug dealers and gangs in Maldives. According to Juvenile Justice Statistics, a small proportion of children in conflict with the law have also been involved in crimes such as murder, serious gang -related assault and robbery. These are closely linked with gang pertinent conflicts and violence which often escalates with political instability and conflict period. The dispersed nature of the country, and the limited number of case workers at the juvenile Justice Unit makes it a challenge to reach these at-risk children with an early intervention. In addition, Furthermore, JJU with limited human and financial resource is still in the process of strengthening its services. The main challenge that needs immediate assistance is lack of expertise and core knowledge on the effective practices and approaches in case management. More specifically there is a great need to enhance the capacity of the case workers at JJU to manage cases of CiCL as well as for implementation of community based interventions. Justification for consultancy: Juvenile Justice Unit requires external expertise to strengthen the capacity of Case Workers to effectively handle the cases of CiCWL, and to provide community based interventions for prevention of juvenile crimes as well as rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with the law. Furthermore increase knowledge on good practices and successful approaches for prevention, treatment rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with law, in case management, in application of internal guidelines, and procedures and in service provision.

The main objectives of the proposed consultancy:With an aim of strengthening the capacity of the Juvenile Justice Unit the consultant will provide technical support (i) for prevention of juvenile crimes and (ii) to strengthen community based diversion, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for children in conflict with law. 2. What is the basic project objective to which the consultancy is related

Capacity at national, regional (atoll) and community (island) levels strengthened to prevent and respond to cases of violence against children, juvenile crimes and drug abuse.

3. Duty station: Male’, Maldives

4. Travel:

Travel to the field to assess current capacity for delivery of crime prevention programmes and community based rehabilitation and reintegration programmes

5. Major tasks to be accomplished;

1. Review the existing guidelines and procedures and referral system for case management and supervision of case work, protocols and guidelines for assessment of children in conflict with the law and, the existing materials for training of JJU case workers.2. Review capacity at community level for juvenile crime prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with the law. 3. Assist JJU in strengthening coordination between government organizations and non-governmental organizations, for prevention of and responding to juvenile crimes.4. Develop guidelines, procedure, risk assessment and case management procedures and streamline services, for prevention of juvenile crimes and for strengthening response to CiCL.5. Strengthen supervision and support to case workers

6. Deliverableand end product

Task

Deliverables

7. Estimated duration of contract and deadline for submission of end-product

The total consultancy is estimated to be around 67 working days and will be based in Maldives (at Juvenile Justice Unit)

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

Following qualifications and /or specializations are necessary to be selected to the consultancy.

Academic qualifications:

Knowledge, skills and experience:

Personal competencies:

Language competencies:

Deadline for application is 23rd May 2018, 6:00 pm (west asia standard time)

Application with (i) updated CV, (ii) Updated P11 Form (download and fill P11 form from link below)

https://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/PDFs/P11.doc

UNICEF may also ask for submission of relevant work.

Application Link:

Remarks:

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

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=513036