Child Protection Specialist, P-3, MENA Region

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for various posts in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Region.

The Child Protection Specialist is accountable for the formulation, design, implementation, and monitoring of Child Protection programme(s), and contributes toward the effectiveness of the overall programme management and delivery and the achievement of programme goals. In doing so, the child protection specialist is guided by UNICEF child protection strategy (2008) that defines the organization’s contribution to children’s right to protection from violence, UNICEF Strategic Plan (2014-2017), Child Protection Working Group Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Action and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Expected Results

1. Programme Planning, Development and Management.

• Enhance sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by coordinating the completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through monitoring and analysis, and the preparation of sectoral input; provide substantive input toward the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to child protection.
• Develop the sectoral work plan in compliance with defined programme strategies and approaches.

2. Promotion of UNICEF's Global Goals

• Promote the organization’s goals, mission and programmes through advocacy efforts, policy dialogue and networking.

3. Rights-Based and Results-Based Approach

• Re-inforce the quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes through the formulation of programme goals, strategies and approaches; bring synergy to sectoral or inter-sectoral management processes using a results-based approach for design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

4. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring

• Develop and implement the sectoral work plan in compliance with defined programme strategies and approaches; support the maintenance of information systems for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.

5. Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting

• Apply a rigorous and transparent approach to sectoral or inter-sectoral programme delivery; participate in key evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts; oversee the completion of annual Child Protection sector status reports.

6. UNICEF and Government Accountability

• Collaborate with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring UNICEF and Government accountability; certify disbursements of funds; monitor and submit financial status reports in compliance with regulations and guidelines.

7. Communication, Networking and Knowledge Management

• Identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate delivery of services and achieve Child Protection programme objectives; conduct field visits to monitor programmes and collect information; organize periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.
• Collaborate with Communication and Programme Communication groups on the development of materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
• Working in coordination with Regional Advisers, HQ Officers and Programme/Project Officers, ensure the integration of the sectoral programme with other sectors.
• Collaborate with the Operations and Supply Sections and Government authorities to establish internal control systems that support Child Protection programme planning and implementation, to address financial and supply management requirements, and to ensure accountability.
• Interact with Government representatives, NGOs, UN system partners and bilateral agencies throughout the implementation phase of the programme/project following up on agreements and recommendations; provide guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection programme goals.
• Enhance knowledge management through information exchange, situation analysis, and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• Advanced university degree in social sciences or other relevant field(s), preferably in Social Work/Social Welfare, Child Justice or Human Rights
• *A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum of five years of professional work experience at national and international levels in child protection, including fieldwork experience.
• Previous experience/strong background as a Social Work Practitioner and/or Social Welfare Services Manager, child justice or human rights expert is highly desirable.
• International Work experience / Developing Country Experience required, preferably in the Middle East & North Africa Region
• Background/familiarity with Emergency situations considered an asset.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English required, good knowledge of Arabic highly desirable and French is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and Networking
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Applying Technical Expertise

Remarks

This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for various posts in the Middle East & North Africa Region, including both Family and Non-Family Duty Stations.

Successful candidates will be placed in a Talent Group. While this does not guarantee a position with UNICEF, as positions become available, successfully placed candidates in the Talent Groups will be reviewed and if found suitable, may be offered placement.

Contracts may be Fixed Term (FT) or Temporary Appointment (TA).

Previous applicants to this GVA need not apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Visit us at www.unicef.org/employ to register in our system and search for the detailed Vacancy Announcement using key words “GVA”, or “Child Protection” or “MENA”. Closing date 29 January 2016.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.