Child Protection Specialist

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 from early childhood through adolescence. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child, which is not just a job but a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a culture of belonging and growth, and providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Specialist plays a crucial role in providing technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. This position is responsible for facilitating the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts aimed at creating a protective environment for children against all forms of harm. The specialist will work to ensure that children's rights to survival, development, and well-being are upheld as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international treaties. The role involves supporting program/project development and planning, managing and monitoring programs, providing technical and operational support for program implementation, building partnerships, and fostering innovation and knowledge management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the development and planning of programs/projects related to child protection.
• Manage and monitor program implementation to ensure delivery of results.
• Provide technical and operational support to ensure effective program implementation.
• Build networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness.
• Foster innovation and manage knowledge to improve child protection initiatives.
• Contribute to capacity building efforts within the organization and among partners.
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF's policies and guidelines in all program activities.
• Engage in advocacy efforts to promote child protection issues at national and international levels.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, or another relevant social science field. A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in social development planning and management in child protection areas is required. Familiarity with emergency contexts and relevant experience in program development within a UN system agency is considered an asset. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or social sciences is mandatory for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of child protection and the legal frameworks that govern children's rights.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant work experience in social development planning and management, specifically in areas related to child protection. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is highly desirable, as it equips the candidate with the necessary skills to navigate various challenges in child protection.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this role. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
This position is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment, including potential criminal background checks. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be aware that UNICEF does not hire individuals married to children and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its objectives. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and vaccination requirements.