Closing date 20 Apr 2020

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, an advocate

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens addressing inequity not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose

Under the general guidance of the Chief Child Protection, the position is accountable for the formulation, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of various elements of the Child Protection systems to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives through advocacy and the provision of technical support for legal reforms, policy development, networking and capacity building. The Child Protection Manager will contribute to development of plan and implementation of activities in the justice sector, national efforts to strengthen social welfare workforce and build capacity of partners to design and implement child protection systems. The incumbent will promote inter-sectoral partnerships leading to responsive child protection systems building on the strengths of issue-specific and which addresses specific forms of vulnerability. The position will also contribute to synergize the work of United Nations agencies to achieve child protection results, including in humanitarian actions, working closely with the Protection Cluster, Child Protection Sub-cluster and the Justice and Correction Technical Working Group in Somalia.

Tasks will include..

1. Programme Planning, Development and Management.

Enhance effective sectoral or inter-sectoral collaborative partnerships in planning,development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate; and complete monitoring and analysis; and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input, leading to responsive child protection systems. Provide substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to Child Protection programme. Provide technical support to Government, and stakeholders at all levels in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of child protection legal and policy frameworks, coordination and service delivery (through systems building as well as social change), in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.

2. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes; and forge broad-based partnerships to raise awareness and stimulate open dialogue on the rights of the child while leveraging resources for children in partnership with other sectors such as Education, Health, Protection and WASH sectors.

3. 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; using the know-how of academic and knowledge institutions to collect, analyze and use relevant data to further understanding of both formal and non-formal child protection mechanisms.

4. 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, collaborating with key partners to address the multiple aspects of the protective environment; and to 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.

5. 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, with adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender and sex aggregated data.

6. 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, with involvement of all stakeholders. Ensure contributions to the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports, with contribution of all media partners.

7. 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; and to orientate and train Government and all UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures.Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

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

A Master’s Degree in Development, Law, Human Rights or a related technical field.

Eight years of professional work experience at national and international levels in child protection. Background/familiarity with Emergency contexts required.

Experience in child protection systems design and implementation will be an asset.

Advanced knowledge of Programming for the Protection of Children from Violence, Abuse and Exploitation.

Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following: Access to Justice for Children in conflict, fragile and post conflict context; strengthening child protection systems and partner capacity for protecting children against violence.

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered a strong asset,

Fluency in English and another UN language required.

Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People, and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are…

Builds and maintains partnerships

Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

Drive to achieve results for impact

Innovates and embraces change

Manages ambiguity and complexity

Thinks and acts strategically

Works collaboratively with others

Nurtures, leads and manages people

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

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

Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

How to apply