Child Protection Specialist at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Child Protection Specialist

Job Number: 494614
Location: Abuja
Level: NO-C
Work Type : Fixed Term Staff

Purpose of the Job

• Accountable for formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of Child Protection programme(s) to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives.
• Promotes intersectoral partnerships leading to responsive child protection systems build on the strengths of issue-specific programming; and which addresses specific forms of vulnerability.

Key End-Results

• Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and collaboration to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update made for effective programme planning, development and management. Partnership with knowledge and academic institutions expanded for collection and analysis of relevant data to further understanding of social norms and harmful practices to children, particularly girls.
• UNICEF's global goals effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue with the sectors responsible for Child Protection, partnering in particular Social Welfare/Protection and Justice to facilitate understanding of the importance of child protection by all stakeholders, and its inclusion in national governance and reforms mechanisms, development planning and investment frameworks.
• Knowledge management effectively promoted through drafting/finalizing key Child Protection sectoral programme documents and reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange with all partners, harnessing knowledge institutions resources and partnerships.
• Quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes effectively promoted. Coherence and synergy gained by collaborating with key partners, addressing the multiple aspects of the protective environment, and value added to programme management process through results-based management. Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the Child Protection programme provided.
• Sectoral work plan and activities formulated, implemented and monitored, ensuring alignment with the defined programme strategies and approaches, partnering with community-based child protection networks that monitor child rights and child exploitation.
• Programme delivery, evaluation and reporting carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Proper and timely UNICEF, Government and all implementing partners 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; coordination amongst child protection system actors strengthened, with specific attention to Children's life skills, knowledge and participation, as actors in their own protection; engagement of media and civil society to supporting positive practices and involvement of children and families; ensured dialogue with private sector expanded, to emphasize good practices and corporate social responsibility.

Accountabilities and 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 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 build on the strengths of issue-specific programming which addresses specific forms of vulnerability, including those related to gender, disability, HIV, and indigenous populations and facilitate measure of outcomes for different groups. 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 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 and practices that create social exclusion or harm children.

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 social norms and harmful practices to children, particularly girls.

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.

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/sex disaggregated data.

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 the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports, with contribution of all major partners.

UNICEF and Government Accountability:

• Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government as well as all implementing partners 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.

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 in order to: enhance collaboration with media, civil society and involvement of children and their families to support positive practices; engage dialogue with private sector on good practices and corporate social responsibility; and strengthen partnerships with bilateral and multilateral organizations, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and regional development Banks, to generate greater investment in sectors with child protection responsibility.
• 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 Child Protection 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 with all key partners.
• In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthen partnerships with child protection humanitarian actors within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC) mechanism, for preparedness, contingency planning and response.

Job Grade Factors:

• As a line manager for assigned projects, lead effective and efficient planning, design, implementation and administration of specific project activities within a major programme that focus on achievement of UNICEF's programmatic priorities. Ensure that project delivery meets targeted goals and objectives
• As a technical expert, contribute timely and effective technical advice, guidance and input to the preparation of situation analysis, formulation of programme strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation and human resources.
• Conduct field visits to monitor programmes as well as conduct periodic programme reviews.
• Make viable recommendations on programme implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the advancement of the rights of children and women.
• Contribute to the development and introduction of new approaches using collaborative partnerships, including with knowledge institutions.
• Certify allocation and disbursement of funds; determine supply and cash needs to ensure programme delivery meets targeted goals and objectives.

Qualification and Competencies

Education:

• Advanced university Degree, preferably in the Social Sciences, Law or other relevant field.

Work Experience:

• Five years 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.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and a second UN language (IP)
• Fluency in English and local working language of the duty station (NO).

Competency Profile
Core Values (Required):

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies (Required):

• Communication (II)
• Working with People (II)
• Drive for Results (II)

Functional Competencies (Required):

• Leading and Supervising (I)
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (III)
• Analyzing (III)
• Relating and Networking (II)
• Deciding and Initiating Action (II)
• Applying Technical Expertise (III)

Technical Knowledge

Specific Technical Knowledge Required:
(Technical knowledge requirements specific to the job can be added here as required.)

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
• Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following: Strengthening child protection systems and partner capacity for protecting children against violence; in emergencies; in respect of harmful traditional practices; in improving justice for children and in strengthening social welfare systems.
• Use of data and indicators in child protection.
• Knowledge of the global commitment on aid effectiveness, including the Paris Declaration  on Aid Effectiveness, the Accra Agenda for Action as well as knowledge of the Global Programme Partnerships (GPPs).

Common Technical Knowledge Required:

• Methodology of programme/project management
• Programmatic goals, policies and strategies for sectoral programmes
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.
• UNICEF policies and strategy in child protection, including: natural disasters, and recovery.
• Core commitments for children in emergencies (for all Emergency positions)
• UNICEF financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.
• Rights-based and Results-based programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan
• UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.
• Gender equality and Diversity awareness

Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced (for the Job):

• Government development plans and policies
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.
• UNICEF strategic framework for partnerships and collaborative relationships.
• UNICEF policies and strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

Application Closing Date
28th April, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online