Child Protection Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Child Protection Officer position is part of the Child Protection Team within the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET) in the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) of the United Nations. The mission of this division is to develop and disseminate policies and doctrines that guide the work of Peacekeeping Operations. Established to ensure the effective implementation of child protection mandates, the division also evaluates how these policies are applied, gathers lessons learned, and develops training materials to enhance the capabilities of peacekeeping missions. The organization operates globally, collaborating with various UN and external partners to promote child protection in conflict situations.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Officer is responsible for a range of functions aimed at supporting the implementation of the DPO's child protection mandate. This includes gathering and analyzing information related to child protection from various sources, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of political issues affecting child protection, and providing technical support in the development and review of policies and training materials. The officer will also monitor political developments at national and regional levels, advising field missions on their implications for child protection. The role requires collaboration with other UN sectors, international organizations, and governments to ensure effective coordination and policy implementation. The officer will prepare written outputs such as reports and analyses, contributing to the overall mission of protecting children in armed conflict.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Child Protection Officer will perform a variety of duties, including:

• Gathering, selecting, and analyzing information on child protection from communications and publications.
• Keeping abreast of political developments and their impact on child protection mandates.
• Providing technical and substantive support for the implementation of child protection policies.
• Supporting the development and organization of training materials and workshops.
• Maintaining contacts with UN sectors, international organizations, and governments regarding child protection.
• Monitoring actions taken by intergovernmental groups and NGOs.
• Participating in missions to countries within the assigned area.
• Preparing various written outputs, including reports and analyses.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of the DPO's child protection mandate, including the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) on grave violations against children. They should demonstrate the ability to analyze complex political, ethnic, and social issues affecting child protection. Professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment are essential. Candidates should also show a commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in political science, international relations, human rights, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law, law, or related fields is required. Alternatively, a first-level degree (Bachelor’s) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, disarmament, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, development management, conflict resolution, or a related area is required. Candidates must have at least three years of experience working on child protection in armed conflict situations and familiarity with the Security Council Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM). Additionally, two years of field experience with UN peacekeeping operations or international organizations is required, along with experience in liaising with Member States and developing policy or training materials.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in French is also required. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available from August 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension. The selection process may be limited to internal candidates or those based at the duty station, depending on funding sources. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process adheres to strict standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and candidates with a history of violations of international law or misconduct will not be considered.