Child Protection Working Group Sub-Sector Coordinator at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

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: Child Protection Working Group Sub-Sector Coordinator, (P-3)

Job Number: 509757
Location: Borno, Nigeria, (with frequent travel to Abuja, Yobe and Adamawa)
Work Type: Fixed Term Staff

Job Summary
UNICEF  Nigeria is seeking the interest of a qualified and energetic Child Protection in Emergencies Coordinator to provide overall coordination for the Child Protection Sub Cluster in Nigeria for the North-East emergency.

About the Program

• In the course of 2014 and early 2015, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS) 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.
• Over 2 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with over half under the age of 18 years, with millions more living under the control of Boko Haram in the 19 Local Government Areas held by them. As the Nigerian Armed Forces have regained these Local Government Areas, there have been additional mass displacements.
• With the increasing security, humanitarian communities are now beginning to access previously inaccessible Local Government Areas. Children make up over half of the affected population in these newly liberated areas and child protection needs are acute, in fact it is estimated that over 2.1 million children have been acutely impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency.
• Children have been and are still being recruited and used by armed groups. Girls have been used by JAS as suicide bombers; girls have also been subjected to conflict related sexual violence, not only resulting in psychological distress but also pregnancy. The children are facing stigma and in some case violence as they return to their communities following rescue by the Nigerian Armed Forces. Children perceived to have fought for JAS are being rejected by their communities and attacked if they try to return.
• The child protection needs in the North East are complex and enormous. While the number of actors working on child protection has expanded, the child protection needs far outstrip the capacities and resources of state and non-state actors and there is a risk of duplication of activities especially and the internally displaced people’s camps. Hence, coordination amongst child protection actors is critical.
• The cluster system was activated (following a long period where sector coordination was utilized) on 19 August 2016, for which UNICEF leads for the child protection (sub cluster). The Federal level Child Protection Sub Working Group was established in June 2015, co-chaired by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. State level coordination mechanisms were subsequently established.

For every Child, HopeThe overall objective of the post is:

• To ensure effective coordination among child protection actors engaged in responding to the humanitarian crisis in North East Nigeria;
• To scale up the child protection response so as to cover more areas and reach more children with child protection in emergency response; to enhance the quality of services delivered; to improve the quality of information and data on the child protection sub sector achievements;
• To ensure the sector is able to effectively convey messaging on child protection issues and the sub sector's impact and to ensure a robust articulation of child protection in the Humanitarian Response Plan.

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.

How Can you Make a Difference

• Lead the child protection sub cluster in the development and subsequent reviews of the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2017
• Develop and implement and advocacy strategy to increase visibility amongst donors and government partners on the child needs and impact of ongoing activities and mobilize additional resources
• Ensure accurate and quality disaggregated monthly data and analysis are available on child protection
• Provide ongoing support to State Level Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development in co-chairing the sub group and to fulfil their coordination responsibilities
• Develop and support the development of the capacity of local counterparts and members of the child protection sub cluster on child protection in emergencies and coordination
• Ensure effective linkages and synergies between the Protection Sector and GBV Sub-Sector as well as with Education, Health, WASH and Food Security and Livelihood Sectors.
• Ensure robust child protection inputs for monthly Situation Reports, Snap Shots and donor reports
• Represent the CPWG Sub-Sector at the Inter-Agency Sector Coordination meetings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently in the field
• Ability to work under stressful conditions
• Fluency in English and excellent communication skills - both oral and written

Qualifications for a Successful Candidate

• Master's Degree Social Science, Social Work, Social Development, Child Development or related field or minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, preferably with UN or NGOs at national or international level.
• A First University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in emergency programming, protection programming and/or child protection programming, with at least two years focused on child protection in emergencies
• Experience of leading coordination mechanisms in emergency situations

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results
• Leading and Supervising, Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing , Applying Technical Expertise, Planning and Organizing.

Application Closing Date
27th December, 2017.

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

Note

• The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.
• Please note that this is a non-family duty station
• Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish.
• Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.