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. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to serving children and communities globally, 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 supporting the development and preparation of child protection programs, particularly focusing on eliminating harmful traditional practices and empowering adolescent girls. Reporting to the Chief of Child Protection, the Specialist is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, reporting, and evaluating the child protection program component related to child marriage. This position requires collaboration with various sections to advance programmatic priorities and ensure the protection of children's rights as established under international treaties and frameworks. The Specialist will contribute to achieving results according to UNICEF's Strategic Plans and accountability frameworks, ensuring that the programs are aligned with national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support program/project development and planning by preparing and updating situation analyses for child protection programs, ensuring comprehensive data is available to guide strategic policy advocacy and intervention efforts.
• Manage program delivery by establishing monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators, participating in evaluations, and preparing reports to assess progress and identify necessary actions.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts and partners on UNICEF policies and best practices related to child protection.
• Build and sustain effective partnerships with government counterparts, stakeholders, and donors to enhance cooperation and achieve sustainable results in child protection.
• Innovate and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of stakeholders and promote sustainable results in child protection programs.

Required Qualifications:
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 is required. A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection areas is essential. Relevant experience in program development within a UN agency is considered an asset, along with experience in managing large-scale projects and donor requirements. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in fields such as international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or other relevant social sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of child protection and the legal frameworks surrounding children's rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management, specifically in child protection-related areas. Experience in program development within a UN system agency or organization is highly valued, as is experience working in developing countries. Candidates should also have experience managing large-scale projects and understanding donor requirements, with additional experience in both development and humanitarian contexts being a plus.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, given the operational context in Niger. Knowledge of English or another official UN language, as well as local languages, is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve international recruitment. UNICEF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, and medical clearance is required for appointments. Candidates must also meet inoculation requirements, including against COVID-19, unless a medical exemption is provided.