Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF

Job description

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Regional Adviser, Child Protection, the incumbent supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme(s) and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. H/She facilitates the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm, and to protect their rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies. The Specialist contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, protection

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Regional Adviser, Child Protection, the incumbent supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme(s) and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. H/She facilitates the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm, and to protect their rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary Of Key Functions/Accountabilies

• Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and collaboration to the Situation Analysis (violence against children, child marriage and FGM/C) and its periodic update made for effective programme planning, development and management.
  UNICEF’s global goals in addressing violence against children effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue with the sectors responsible for Child Protection.
• Knowledge management effectively promoted through drafting/finalizing key Child Protection sectoral programme documents and reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange.
• Quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes effectively promoted. Coherence, synergy and value added to programme management process through results-based management.
• Sectoral work plan and activities formulated, implemented and monitored, ensuring alignment with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
• Programme delivery, evaluation and reporting carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability ensured regarding supply and non-supply assistance as well as disbursement of programme funds for the Child Protection sector.
• Effective communication and networking achieved through partnership and collaboration within the framework of the Joint Programme with UNFPA on Child Marriage and FGM/C.

ACCOUNTABILITIES, DUTIES & TASKS

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

• Programme Planning, Development and Management.
  • Enhance effective sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis (violence against children, child marriage and FGM/C) and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input. Provide substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to Child Protection programme.
  • Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
  • Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals
  • Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking within the framework of Joint Programme on FGM/C and Child Marriage and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.
• Knowledge Management.
  • Promote knowledge management by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
• Rights-Based and Results-Based Approach.
  • Promote the quality of rights-based Child Protection [programmes through participation in the formulation of programme goals, strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or inter-sectoral management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring.
  • Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
• Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting.
  • Ensure programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral, efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation.
  • Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports.
  • UNICEF and Government Accountability .
  • Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and
  • Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.
• Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.
  • Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Child Protection programme requirements and objectives. Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and collect information.
  • Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.
  • Collaborate with Communication and Programme Communication groups to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
  • Overall coordination with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Programme/Project Officers to ensure the integration of the sectoral programme with other sectors.
  • Collaborate with the Operations and Supply Sections and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Child Protection programme planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.
  • Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection programme goals.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum Eight years (8) of professional work experience at national and international levels in child protection, including international work experience for IP or field work experience for NO.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency. Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered as an added advantage.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values: Commitment, Diversity and Integrity

Core competencies: Communication (II), Working with People (II) and Drive for Results (II).

The Technical Competencies Required For This Post Are….

Leading and supervising (I)
Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
Analyzing (III)
Relating and networking (II)
Deciding and Initiating action (II)
Applying technical expertise (III)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Remarks

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.