Child Protection Officer, NOA, Temporary Appointment

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 Officer position is crucial for supporting the UNICEF Maldives Child Protection Programme, which aims to strengthen the child protection system in the Maldives through capacity building, community mechanisms, and enhancing child rights promotion. The officer will be responsible for implementing the child protection rolling work plan for 2024-2025, focusing on children in contact with or in conflict with the law. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure timely rollout of interventions and achievement of planned results, addressing the significant challenges faced in the Maldives due to geographical dispersion and service accessibility.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Child Protection Officer will support the design, coordination, and implementation of activities related to the juvenile justice system intervention. Responsibilities include program development, planning, management, monitoring, and delivery of results. The officer will provide technical and operational support for program implementation, engage in networking and partnership building, and contribute to innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building within the child protection framework.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field. A minimum of one year of professional experience in social development planning, management, and program implementation in child protection-related areas is required. Experience working at the community level is considered an asset. Candidates with educational backgrounds in international law and relevant experience in developing countries or emergency contexts are preferred.

Educational Background:
A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of child protection and the legal frameworks that govern children's rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of one year of professional experience in social development planning, management, and program implementation specifically in child protection-related areas. This experience should ideally include work at the community level, which is crucial for understanding the local context and challenges faced in child protection.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Dhivehi is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with local communities and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly in contexts where multiple languages are spoken.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary appointment specifically for Maldivian Nationals. It is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, requiring additional vetting and assessment, including potential criminal background checks. UNICEF promotes a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process and emphasizes the importance of humanitarian action as a cross-cutting priority.