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 is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to create a protective environment for children worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Specialist position is crucial for providing technical leadership in the design, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality child protection programs. This role involves working closely with government counterparts, UN agencies, civil society partners, and communities to strengthen national child protection systems. The Specialist will ensure that children, especially the most vulnerable, are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. The position requires strong technical expertise and the ability to translate policy into effective operational programming. The Specialist will report to the Child Protection Specialist for guidance and general supervision, supporting the development and preparation of child protection programs and managing their implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation. The role is integral to achieving sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to protect children's rights as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Child Protection Specialist will be responsible for several key functions, including:

• Supporting the development and planning of child protection programs/projects.
• Managing program implementation, monitoring, and delivery of results.
• Providing technical and operational support to ensure effective program implementation.
• Building networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
• Engaging in innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building initiatives.
• Ensuring compliance with Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and safeguarding standards.
• Contributing to the achievement of results according to plans and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in International Development, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, human rights, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, or another relevant social science field. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in areas such as International Development, Human Rights, Child Protection, Program Management, and Advocacy. Strong knowledge of the Rwanda Child Protection System and experience in social development planning and management are essential. Candidates should also demonstrate skills in partner capacity strengthening and government engagement.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent advanced university degree in fields related to International Development, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, human rights, international law, or other relevant social sciences. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of child protection and the legal frameworks that govern children's rights.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in fields such as International Development, Human Rights, Child Protection, Program Management, and Advocacy. Experience in program development, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation is essential, particularly in child protection-related areas within a UN system agency or organization. Relevant experience in developing countries, especially in fragile settings and humanitarian contexts, is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Kinyarwanda and French is highly desirable, and proficiency in another official UN language (such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset. This multilingual capability is important for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

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 and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates must be prepared to undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and medical clearance is required for appointments. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.