Child Protection Officer at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - Re-advertised

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - In September 2014 UNICEF began implementing a joint programme with UN Women on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) funded by the European Union (EU). The programme will support the Nigerian Government (Federal level), three Northern Nigerian States namely Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau and selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) to strengthen women’s leadership, advance gender equality and improve protection for women and children in conflict settings.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: TA -  Child Protection Officer, NOB

Job Number: 509591
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Work Type: Temporary Appointment
Job Duration: 6 Months

Background and Rationale

• The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria is seeking the interest of a qualified Child Protection Officer in the area of SGBV and Child Protection, with a focus on case management (GBV & CP), PSS support, capacity building and reintegration of girls and women who have been affected by conflict related sexual violence.
• In the course of 2014 and early 2015, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS), more commonly as Boko Haram intensified its attacks on the civilian population in Nigeria, with tactics developing from hit-and-run attacks targeting Government officials, security forces, police stations, detention centers, religious figures and schools, to take-and-hold attacks in which JAS managed to establish and maintain control over large swaths of territory. While in late 2015 and 2016 the Nigerian Armed Forces took back most JAS controlled areas, the fighting caused additional mass displacement, especially in Borno State.
• Children have been acutely impacted by the conflict. In particular, sexual violence has been a characteristic of the conflict. It is estimated that 7,000 women and girls have suffered conflict related sexual violence, including following abduction by JAS and forced marriage to their fighters. Many girls and women have become pregnant and given birth as a result of the sexual violence. The girls and women, and their children are facing stigma and, in some cases violence, as they return to their communities following escape or rescue by the Nigerian Armed Forces.
• UNICEF is supporting state and non-state partners to build capacity on GBV as well as develop and implement a reintegration programme, to ensure safe supported return for these highly vulnerable girls and women, as well as promote a protective environment in their communities to mitigate against further sexual violence.

Overall Objective of the Temporary Child Protection Officer Position

• The overall objective of the post is to promote the handover of girls and women associated with armed groups to civilian authorities and to ensure their safe, supported return and reintegration and recovery from their experiences.
• The incumbent will also support overall GBV Prevention and Response initiatives and programming including but not limited to the capacity building initiatives, case management and PSS support.

Specific project objectives to which the position is related:

• Output 36: By 2017, the capacity of key institutions and civil society is strengthened to monitor and report violence against children especially in humanitarian context and implement gender and age-appropriate prevention and response measures in at least three states.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished
Women Peace and security and reintegration:

• Work with partners to ensure better reintegration  of women and girls who were associated with  Boko Haram and who have suffered conflict related sexual violence, through the provision of individual psychosocial support, empowerment/livelihoods, peer group  support,  family  tracing, reunification and reconciliation, and community dialogue to promote return and  reintegration
• Support in the establishment and monitoring of the reintegration programme for girls and women in a minimum of six local government areas, as well as Maiduguri, in Borno State
• Support  the organization of the international conference on women peace and security and all pre conference activities
• Under the guidance of the CP Specialist and In close working relationship with the Ministry and other actors ensure that the reintegration strategy for women and girls associated with armed groups and survivors of conflict related sexual violence  is developed and implemented
• Support the tracing and reunification of families for girls and women
• Support the development of community based reintegration activities for affected girls and women
• Engage with religious and community leaders to promote reintegration of girls and women impacted by conflict related sexual violence
• Ensure the availability of alternative care for children  born out of conflict related sexual violence who cannot remain with their mothers.

Strengthening GBV Prevention and Response:

• Support community prevention and response services for children and women who are survivors of GBV including women, child mothers and adolescent girls affected by conflict related sexual violence
• Work closely with the CP Specialist to strengthen the capacity of key  service providers and actors to prevent and respond to GBV amongst through facilitating targeted training and ongoing support for state and non-state actors
• Support in the development and implementation of 1-2 programmes which enhance the protective environment for girls and women, in order to protect them from SGBV
• Explore the impact of conflict related sexual violence on boys and devise and implement strategies and programmes to support their recovery and reintegration
• Work in consultation with the CP Specialist to strengthen the referral mechanism for the girls and women, and their children  to available services and programmes, including health, mental health, education and livelihoods programming
• Undertake the training of community volunteers and CFS managers on basic GBV and referrals
• Manage and quality assure the work of the team of consultants and third party local consultants responsible for overseeing and monitoring the SGBV programme including work in the CFS
• Ensure effective linkages with other components of the child protection in emergencies programme.

Coordination:

• Represent UNICEF on the SGBV sub working groups at State and LGA level
• Support the CP Specialist to implement the GBV/Reintegration programme, including ensuring timely implementation of activities, timely reporting to the donors, compliance with visibility requirements and compliance with internal UNICEF procedures and processes
• Contribute to the the development of new programme cooperation agreements with international and national NGOs for the reintegration of girls and women affected by conflict related sexual violence and for GBV prevention and response programming
• In close collaboration with the Information Management Specialist and Officers ensure robust data collection to capture the number of beneficiaries reached by the programme and the impact of the programme, including management of the evaluation of the programme.

Qualifications or Specilialized Knowledge/Epxerience Required
Essential:

• University degree in social work, social science, development studies or its equivalent. Relevant training and experience in a related field will be considered
• Minimum of 2 years demonstrable professional experience in implementing Child Protection and GBV in emergencies including GBV and CP case Management
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills

Desirable:

• Experience of implementing support/reintegration programmes for girls and women associated with armed groups/victims of conflict related sexual violence
• Experience of working with community structures and/or religious groups and leaders on SGBV and Child Protection
• Experience in case management and tracing and reunification programmes for unaccompanied and separated children
• Experience in team management
• Fluency in English and Hausa.

Application Closing Date
21st December, 2017.

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