Maldives: Individual Consultant (International) Strengthening capacity of Social Workers working with Children in conflict with law.

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Terms of Reference for Consultant (International)- Strengthening Capacity of Social Workers Working with Children in Conflict with Law.

TOR Reference Number: ToR /2019/07

ADVERT:

Background & Purpose: 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 2018 there has been an overall increase in the number of Children in Conflict with the law referred to juvenile justice unit (JJU). During this period, 1813 juvenile offender cases were referred and out of which 859 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 2018, out of the reported 349 juvenile offender cases, 93 percent were males while 7 percent were females. The most prevalent types of crimes committed during this period have been violent assault, substance abuse, possession of drugs, theft and possession of knife in public place. Furthermore, in 2018, 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 hard to reach these at-risk children with an early intervention. The main challenge that needs immediate attention is the lack of expertise and 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 children in conflict with the law(CICL) as well as for implementation of community-based interventions.

Justification for consultancy: Juvenile Justice Unit requires technical support to strengthen the capacity of case workers to effectively manage and provide intervention for CICL and community-based interventions for the prevention of juvenile crimes, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with the law.

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 to (i) strengthen case management (ii) work collaboratively with other stakeholders for the prevention of juvenile crimes and to establish community-based diversion, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for children in conflict with law.

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.

Duty station: Male, Maldives

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

Supervisor: Mohamed Naeem, Programme Specialist, UNICEF MCO jointly with the government

Major tasks to be accomplished;

Deliverables / End product Tasks:

Deliverables:

Soft and hard copies to be submitted to UNICEF and MoGF. Payments will be disbursed against acceptance of products, and against accepted deliverables and on acknowledgement of the receipt of the deliverables.

Estimated duration of contract and deadline for submission of end-product: The total consultancy is estimated to be around 42 working days and will be based in Maldives (at Juvenile Justice Unit)

Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required:

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

Academic qualifications:

Knowledge, skills and experience:

Personal competencies:

Language competencies:

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Deadline for applications: 20th May 2019, 06:00 pm (West Asia standard time)

Application Link:

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=app...

Remarks:

All applications must be submitted through the online link provided above.

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=521929