National Consultant - Children's Rights Study, Bolama-Bijagós Region

About the role

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is recruiting a National Consultant for a three-month study on violations of children's rights in the Bolama-Bijagós Region of Guinea-Bissau, with particular attention to sexual exploitation and other forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and harmful practices. The consultant works under the supervision of OHCHR-WARO/PAPEV and in close collaboration with the International Consultant (Team Leader), helping produce an evidence-based study with practical recommendations for prevention, child protection, referral mechanisms, accountability and institutional responses.

Key responsibilities

• Provide contextual inputs on Guinea-Bissau's child protection framework, institutions, legislation, policies and practices
• Support the desk review and identification of national and local sources, documentation and stakeholders
• Help develop and adapt the study methodology, research tools and workplan
• Coordinate with national and local authorities, child protection actors, civil society and community leaders
• Support field research, including consultations, interviews and focus group discussions
• Conduct data collection and communicate in Portuguese and/or Creole as required
• Interpret findings and contribute to the analysis and drafting of the report
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards for research involving children

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Public Policy or a related field; a first-level degree plus relevant experience may be considered
• At least five years of relevant experience in child protection, human rights, social research or community-based research in Guinea-Bissau
• Knowledge of the national child protection system and its legal and policy framework
• Experience in field research, stakeholder consultations and qualitative data collection
• Experience engaging with authorities, civil society and communities; knowledge of the Bolama-Bijagós Region is highly desirable

Required skills

• Fluent Portuguese and Guinea-Bissau Creole
• Working knowledge of English or French