Child Protection Specialist (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – MHPSS), NOC

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Specialist (MHPSS) will work under the supervision of Hub Coordinators in Bunia, Beni, and Butembo, contributing to the planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of Child Protection interventions within the Ebola response. The role focuses on providing psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support to affected and at-risk children and families, healthcare workers, and community-level psychoeducation. The specialist will also be involved in case management and referral processes, strengthening the social service workforce system, and capacity-building initiatives for social workers and psychologists. This position requires strong coordination and adaptability to effectively respond to the complex needs of children and communities affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strengthening the social service workforce and case management systems to ensure effective support for children and families.
• Implementing psychosocial responses (MHPSS) tailored to the needs of affected individuals.
• Facilitating intersectoral coordination and integration of services to enhance the overall response to the crisis.
• Leading capacity-building initiatives for social workers and para-social staff to improve service delivery.
• Conducting monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on the effectiveness of Child Protection interventions and making necessary adjustments based on findings.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, human rights, sociology, psychology, or a related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in child protection in emergency settings, MHPSS, case management, and social work.
• Fluency in French and intermediate English are required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is desirable.
• Experience in a public health emergency context is considered an asset, along with relevant experience at the country level in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as social sciences, human rights, sociology, psychology, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection and mental health in emergency situations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in child protection, particularly in emergency settings. Candidates should have a strong background in mental health and psychosocial support, case management, and social work, demonstrating their ability to navigate the challenges of working in crisis situations.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory, along with intermediate proficiency in English. Knowledge of an additional official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered advantageous and may enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of UNICEF's commitment to safeguarding children and promoting their rights. The role is assessed as an elevated risk for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment. UNICEF promotes diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women and individuals with disabilities. The organization offers a range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must meet medical clearance and inoculation requirements, including vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.