Head of Programme

Background and Rationale:

1. Programme Information

Strengthening National Commission on Rights of the Child (NCRC) is looking for Head of Programme at NCRC office, Islamabad

2. Purpose of Assignment: 

Article 4 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child obliges States parties to “undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention”. Independent National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI’s) are an important mechanism to promote and ensure the implementation of the Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC). The Committee on the Rights of the Child (the Committee) considers the establishment of such bodies to fall within the commitment made by States parties upon ratification to ensure the implementation of the Convention and advance the universal realization of children’s rights.

In its General Comment No. 21, the Committee describes the role and characteristics of independent human rights institutions for children. The Committee encourage States parties to establish specialist independent human rights institutions with the aim to promote and protect rights of the children. The Committee recommends that State parties should seek UN’s assistance including The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) which offers expertise and technical cooperation for the establishment and strengthening of independent human rights institutions for children.

In addition, the United Nations General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights already called for the establishment of national human rights institutions, underlining the important role NHRIs play in promoting and protecting human rights and enhancing public awareness of those rights. The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights reaffirmed in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action “... the important and constructive role played by national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights”, and encouraged “... the establishment and strengthening of national institutions”.

Realizing its commitment under CRC, the State of Pakistan has recently established a National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) through the Act XXXII of 2017. The preamble of the Act says; “WHEREAS it is expedient to set up a National Commission on the rights of the child in accordance with international obligations and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereof.”

The National Commission for the Rights of the Child Act, 2017 stipulates a broad and overarching mandate for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of child rights as enshrined in Constitution of Pakistan and international treaties particularly CRC. As a State watchdog, the NCRC works ndependent of the Government and is accountable to the Parliament of Pakistan. The primary functions and powers of the NCRC include, among others, to onduct inquiries into allegations of child rights abuse(s); review existing and proposed legislation from child rights perspective; carry out research and advise on policy matters pertaining to the situation of child rights in Pakistan; contribute awareness-raising and advocacy initiatives and suggest measures to follow up on the implementation of concluding observation of the Committee. The Commission became operational in February 2020, with the appointment of the Chairperson and its Members. Due to the financial and organizational constraints associated with the infancy of the Commission, significant technical and financial support is required to build capacity and make the Commission fully operational, commensurate to its mandate.

1 The Committee on the Rights of the Child, “General Comment No. 2 (2002): The role of independent national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child”, (CRC/GC/2002/2 15 November 2002).

2. Justification of the assignment:

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supports the Federal and Provincial Governments of Pakistan to promote, protect and fulfil rights of children across the country. The NCRC, as an important institution at the federal level with a mandate to monitor, report, protect, promote child rights and strategically placed to collaborate with stakeholders and donors in discharging the shared goal of protecting child rights in Pakistan. Therefore, UNICEF Pakistan will provide support to the NCRC in order to enhance the effective implementation of its mandate to promote and protect rights of children in Pakistan.

Under the LoI, the UNICEF is providing technical support to the National Commission for Human for the promotion and protection of rights of the child since 2015. The Commission requires the services of a qualified technical consultant as head of programme (i) To assist the NCRC in fulfilling its statutory mandate as per Act 2017 (ii) Enhance partnership with NCRC donors and act as focal point (iii) Develop monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports NCRC (iv) Under take official liaison and correspondence with NCRC stakeholders and governments departments (v) Steer policy research and Legislative Reforms , (vi) Complaint handling and redress (vii) Steer Violence against Children Surveys, research , (viii) apacity building of NHRIs for accountability of child rights, (ix) Awareness raising (x) Monitor the compliance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other instruments signed ratified by Pakistan and develop reports (xi)Pursuance of UNICEF-NCRC mandate and signed LoI as head of programme under the directions of the chairperson.

Deliverables

The consultant may be designated as Head of Programme and is esponsible to perform following deliverables;

1. To assist the NCRC in fulfilling its statutory mandate as per Act 2017.

2. Enhance partnership with NCRC donors and act as focal point in line with policies, practices and notifications of the commission.

3. Develop monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports for NCRC with agreed time lines and quality parameters.

4. Undertake official liaison and correspondence with NCRC stakeholders and governments departments with the consent of the Chairpersons/Secretariat.

5. Steer policy research and Legislative Reforms in all the provinces as per mandate and road map of NCRC and signed LOI and agreed work plans with donors.

6. Complaint handling and redress of cases of child abuse as per mandate of the commission through an effective referral mechanism/ concerned Government Authorities.

7. Steer Violence against Children Surveys, research.

8. Capacity building of NHRIs for accountability of child rights.

9. Awareness raising as per mandate of NCRC.

10. Monitor the compliance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other instruments signed/ratified by Pakistan and develop reports for onward submission.

11. Pursuance of UNICEF-NCRC mandate and signed LoI under the directions and supervision of the chairperson.

Reporting procedure

The consultant will develop a yearly work plan of deliverable in line with the TORs with quarterly and monthly plan of actions.

Durations of Contract

The contract will be issued initially for a period of one year with a strong likelihood of further extension based on performance

Remuneration per month PKR 300,000/-

Reporting line

The head of programme will report to Chairperson NCRC

Qualification

• Minimum six years of experience on child rights and protection
• Incumbent must have hands on experience of programme management at senior level/head of organization related to child rights
• Strong management and administrative skills
• Strong communication, documentation and report writing skills
• Strong knowledge of Human Rights frameworks both national and international

Location of position

The selected candidate will be based at NCRC secretariat at Islamabad