Child Protection Consultant – UNICEF (Remote, 8.5 months)

About the role

This consultancy will assess how the Common Rules are reflected in national legislation, policies, institutions and programmes across selected Inter‑American countries, document promising practices and gaps in restorative justice, and develop practical recommendations to accelerate implementation of UNICEF’s Reimagine Justice for Children agenda.

Key responsibilities

• Assess the extent to which the Common Rules are incorporated in national legal and policy frameworks.
• Document promising practices and implementation gaps in restorative justice for children.
• Develop practical recommendations to strengthen diversion and prevention of detention.
• Produce concise, decision‑oriented reports, technical guidance and knowledge products.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, human rights, criminology, social sciences, public policy, international development or a related field.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible experience in child justice, child protection, human rights, legal or policy reform.
• Demonstrated experience conducting high‑quality comparative legal, policy and programme research.
• Proven experience reviewing laws, policies or programmes concerning children in conflict with the law, diversion, alternatives to detention or restorative justice.
• Experience working with governments, justice institutions, UN agencies or development partners and engaging multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and working proficiency in Spanish; Portuguese highly desirable.