Consultant - Strengthening of Policy and Governance Framework for Child Protection System in Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, Remotely, 6 Months. (OPEN FOR NATIONALS OF PAKISTAN ONLY)Req#594646

Overview

Provide technical support for the development and contextualization of a child protection advocacy framework aligned with CRC Concluding Observations and the Child Protection Policy for the provincial context of Punjab.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft Terms of Reference for provincial child protection coordination mechanism.
• Stakeholder mapping to inform advocacy pathways.
• Develop a Punjab-specific Child Protection Advocacy Framework.
• Develop a provincial Action Plan for implementation of CRC CO 2026 and roadmap for Punjab CP Policy.
• Facilitate provincial multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Finalize Action Plan and Advocacy Framework.
• Conduct review of relevant legislation, policies, rules, SOPs, and standards.
• Analyze legal, policy, and implementation gaps.
• Develop clear advocacy messages and reform justifications.
• Prepare advocacy and briefing materials.
• Provide actionable guidance to translate legal and policy provisions into implementable measures.
• Finalize Advocacy Framework with resource mobilization plan and monitoring framework.
• Validate Advocacy Framework through targeted consultations.
• Provide technical and advocacy inputs to strengthen and operationalize provincial child protection policies and strategies.
• Provide advocacy-oriented technical support to provincial coordination platforms.
• Support the development of implementation plans for approved CP Policy.
• Facilitate notification, adoption, and operationalization of SOPs, Rules, and minimum care standards.
• Support the Government of Punjab in reviewing and drafting amendments to the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2024 and related Rules.

Required Experience

Minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant professional experience in legal and policy reform, preferably in child protection, child rights and social protection. Demonstrated professional experience in child protection, child rights programming, public sector policy/planning, and institutional strengthening. Demonstrated experience in child protection reform, child protection systems strengthening, or provincial-level advocacy in Pakistan (experience in Punjab will be a strong asset). Proven track record in conducting legal/policy gap analysis, developing advocacy frameworks/strategies, and facilitating high-level stakeholder consultations with government departments, authorities, child right/human right commissions, and parliamentarians at provincial level. Previous experience working with UNICEF, UN agencies, or international development partners is highly desirable.

Qualifications

Advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Child Rights, Public Policy, International Development, Sociology, Social Work, Law, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related field. Additional certifications/training in child protection, safeguarding, CRC, monitoring and evaluation, or public sector planning will be considered an asset.

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