Child Protection Officer (GBV)

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 ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential without discrimination. UNICEF employs a diverse workforce and offers opportunities for professional and personal development, along with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Child Protection Officer plays a crucial role in providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership for the effective delivery of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response interventions. This position is vital in safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of women, girls, and adolescent girls in both humanitarian and development contexts. The officer will work under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist to strengthen integrated GBV programming in alignment with UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) and national frameworks. The role emphasizes cross-sectoral integration of GBV risk mitigation across various sectors, including health, education, WASH, and nutrition, while also supporting gender mainstreaming efforts to address structural inequalities and harmful social norms. The officer will contribute to inter-agency coordination, partner capacity development, and evidence-based advocacy to ensure that GBV and gender interventions are contextually appropriate, inclusive, and sustainable.

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

• Supporting the development and planning of programs/projects related to GBV prevention and response.
• Managing and monitoring program implementation to ensure delivery of results.
• Providing technical and operational support for program implementation.
• Building networks and partnerships with relevant stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness.
• Engaging in innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building initiatives to strengthen the overall impact of GBV programming.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fields such as Social Work, Development Studies, Psychology, Sociology, International Development, Human Rights, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, Gender Studies, Public Administration, or Social Sciences. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as Child Protection, Gender Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Development Programs, GBV, Program Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Capacity Building, Policy Advocacy, Emergency Response, Partnership Management, and Interagency Coordination is required.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a completed Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (First-Level University Degree) in a relevant field such as Social Work, Development Studies, Psychology, Sociology, International Development, Human Rights, International Law, Gender Studies, Public Administration, or Social Sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and understanding of the complexities involved in child protection and gender-based violence issues.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in fields related to Child Protection, Gender Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Development Programs, GBV, Program Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Capacity Building, Policy Advocacy, Emergency Response, Partnership Management, and Interagency Coordination. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to effectively contribute to the strategic and operational aspects of GBV programming and to navigate the challenges present in humanitarian and development contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (such as Arabic, Chinese, French, or Russian) is considered an asset. Proficiency in multiple languages will enhance the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse settings and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary assignment for a duration of 6 months. It is assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes, which means that additional vetting and assessment may be required. The role may involve direct contact with children or working with identifiable children's data, necessitating rigorous reference and background checks. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process for candidates with disabilities.