Full Time
Posted 3 years ago
Job Title: International Consultant for Development of Reintegration of At-Risk Children (ARC), UNDP, Abuja, Nigeria
Job no: 536824
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultancy
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Child Protection
For Every Child, a Champion
- There are approximately 13.2 million out of school children in Nigeria with 69% from Northern Nigeria. The majority of these from the Almajiri system with UNICEF estimating that they make up at least 70% of Nigeria’s out of school children. Precise numbers are hard to come by but there could be as many as 11-15 million in Nigeria today equivalent to 7% of the population.
- This system is practiced in Northern Nigeria and refers to young boys (Almajiri) and out of schoolgirls have migrated from their homes in search of Islamic knowledge. The term has expanded to refer to young people who beg on the streets and not in secular education. They are primarily from poor background who study Islamic learning with Malammai(“Mallams”), teachers of the Quran and depend on alms/ begging, child labour, scavenging to survive.
- The system today is characterised by social exclusion, chronic poverty and abuse churning out young people with little to no formal education or employable skills posing social and economic challenges to the Government and to Almajiri themselves. The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted the issue with deportation of Almajiri children from across different States without any protective safeguards highlighting multiple vulnerabilities.
- There is not a lot of reliable information on what happens to them once they reach adulthood. Given their multiple vulnerabilities there have been concerns that Almajiri are at risk of recruitment into armed groups including violent extremist groups. For example, a UNDP pilot study based on interviews with young adults formally associated with Almajiri highlighted some concerns which may increase their vulnerability to recruitment in armed/violent extremist groups including low levels of education, low understanding of religious texts with 30% knowing Almajiri friends who had approached or joined armed groups including Boko Haram.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have
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- Master’s degree in Human Rights, Peacebuilding, Law, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, or other relevant fields.
- Senior expert with at least 10 years relevant programme and operational management experience
- Experience in leading projects/programming relating to children in street situation and/or Almajiris and/or skills/livelihood programming is preferred
- Knowledge of prevention of violent extremism programming is preferred but not a requirement
- Experience in design and development of multi-year and multi-partner project/programme documents for the UN is a requirement
- Previous experience working in the region on peacebuilding, child protection, livelihood/employment and/or rule of law/human rights programming is preferred
- Knowledge of the context in Nigeria and the Almajiri system in Nigeria is preferred.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism
- Ability to work with a multi-cultural and diverse team
- Ability to produce high-quality research work under pressure of tight schedules and timelines.
- Ability to understand and interpret governance issues and complex development situations;
- Good communication skills, written and oral;
- Ability to motivate staff and work well with others;
- Ability to plan and priorities, and to work under pressure;
- Excellent negotiation and diplomatic skills;
- Proven experience in interacting with senior government and donor counterparts
- Proven programme design experience
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Note
- 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 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.
Deadline: December 18, 2020
Job Features
Job Category | Consulting / Business Strategy/ Planning |