Country: Georgia
Closing date: 23 Aug 2016
International consultant to support the development of a child friendly environment in the justice system in Georgia
Job no: 498422
Work type: Consultancy
Location: Georgia
Categories: Child Protection, Consultancy
The rule of law, as a principle of governance involving a system of rules and regulations that are fairly and equally applied to everyone, is increasingly recognized as a crucial element of sustainable development. There can be no rule of law without the possibility for children to seek and obtain an effective remedy. Ensuring that all children have access to adapted, independent and efficient justice systems is a prerequisite for the rule of law in any given country
UNICEF is one of the main partners assisting the government of Georgia to initiate and implement reforms in the field of children's rights including children's access to justice. Reforming the justice system for children in Georgia is part of the overall justice sector reform and rule of law initiative. Georgia initiated a reform of its Juvenile Justice System reform in 2008. Despite tangible results the development of institutional and human resource capacities to handle children's cases has been focused on the criminal justice sphere only. Children related civil and administrative domains have been partially addressed but no comprehensive effort to further improve them has been undertaken yet. Furthermore, quality assurance and internal monitoring mechanisms remain week and a reliable and comprehensive data collection system related to children in the justice system is still lacking.
Furthermore, there is currently very little understanding related to the notion of a "child friendly environment in the justice system". This notion has indeed not been conceptualised yet.
A child friendly environment ensures that children's rights and developmental needs are respected, particularly for children victims or witnesses of crime who might present additional vulnerabilities. The absence of child-friendly and age-appropriate procedures and environment in the justice system indeed affects children. Although, the juvenile Justice Code of Georgia provides additional guarantees to child victims and witnesses of crime as well as child offenders, these provisions are not fully applied in practice due to the absence of relevant environment, infrastructure, interviewing equipment and methodology for specialized professionals. It is therefore important to develop a common vision on the creation of a child friendly environment for children in contact with the law. UNICEF is intending to support the Government in developing a concept and modifying existing environment in all justice agencies where a child may appear in one model location.
"Enhancing Access to Justice and Development of a Child-friendly Justice System in Georgia" is a joint UNICEF/UNDP Programme. This project, funded by the European Union, is based on the Financing Agreement on "*Support to the Justice Sector Reform in Georgia*" signed between Georgia and the European Union in May 2015. The overall objectives of the project are to enhance capacities of judiciary and government institutions and representatives of legal profession, to promote access to justice for all and to establish a coherent and child-friendly justice system for children in Georgia.
In the framework of this project, UNICEF Georgia seeks to hire an international consultant to support the creation of a child-friendly environment through the development of a relevant vision, concept and guidelines.
Objectives:
The objectives of the consultancy are:
§ To develop a "concept" on the creation of a child-friendly environment in the justice system;
§ To develop overall guidelines on modification/creation of a child-friendly environment in justice agencies where children in contact with the law may appear ( as a victim/witness of crime or child in conflict with the law; child participating in civil proceedings);
§ To develop overall methodology for justice professionals to apply child friendly approach in practice.
Specific tasks:
Specific tasks of the consultant are as follows:
§ To evaluate the existing environment in the justice system including all agencies where children in contact with the law may appear;
§ To develop a "draft concept" on the creation of a child friendly environment in the justice system and present to the Juvenile Justice Group of the Criminal Justice Reform Inter-Agency Council/Ministry of Justice for validation;
§ To develop overall guidelines on modifying/creating child-friendly environment in all justice agencies;
§ To develop methodology for justice professionals on applying a child friendly approach in practice.
Deliverables:
§ A "concept" on on creation of a child friendly environment in the justice system;
§ Guidelines on modifying/creating child-friendly environment in all justice agencies;
§ Methodology for justice professionals on applying a child friendly approach in practice.
Qualifications
§ A Master's Degree or equivalent in Law or other related technical field.
§ Intensive working experience in child protection, including justice for children.
§ Experience of creating child friendly environment in the justice system through developing concepts, guidelines, working methodology etc.;
§ Practical experience of working in a child friendly settings in the justice system;
§ Fluency in English;
§ Excellent analytical and quantitative skills;
§ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Duration of the contract
The contract duration will involve 20 days of consultancy. It will start in October 2016.
Location
The consultancy is mainly home-based with 1 in-country visit for 5 working days (in the beginning of the consultancy).
Supervision
The Consultant will work under the joint supervision of the Child Protection Specialist and Child protection Officer.
The application must include:
§ Cover Letter with the proposed fee for the assignment
§ Curriculum Vitae
How to apply:
To apply please follow the link
http://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/498422