Junior Professional Officer (JPO) - Children with Disabilities

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 personal and professional development. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that supports staff growth and provides an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) position is designed to support the implementation of the South Asia Disability Inclusion Regional Action Plan linked with UNICEF's Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS). The JPO will work under the guidance of the Regional Education Adviser and the Early Childhood Development Specialist, focusing on enhancing the inclusion of children with disabilities in programming and operations across the region. This role involves providing technical support, fostering partnerships, and contributing to UNICEF's global discourse on disability inclusion. The JPO will also be responsible for identifying capacity gaps and developing training opportunities to enhance knowledge on disability-inclusive programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) and the South Asia Disability Inclusion Regional Action Plan by analyzing and monitoring disability inclusion in programs and operations.
• Provide technical guidance and assistance to make programs and operations more inclusive.
• Foster and strengthen partnerships with organizations representing/supporting children and young people with disabilities, donors, and other UN agencies.
• Identify capacity gaps and develop training opportunities for increased knowledge on disability-inclusive programming at regional and country levels.
• Support monitoring and evaluation of disability-inclusive programming and operations, ensuring effective knowledge management.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s level) in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in program planning, management, and/or research in child rights or social inclusion.
• Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another social science discipline. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of disability inclusion and child rights.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least two years of professional experience in areas related to program planning, management, or research, specifically focusing on child rights and social inclusion. This experience is crucial for effectively contributing to UNICEF's mission and objectives in disability inclusion.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration in diverse environments.

Additional Notes:
The JPO position includes a duty travel and training allowance (DTTA) of $4000 per year for learning activities related to the assignment and career development. The position is part of the Finnish JPO Programme, which requires Finnish citizenship, good knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, and candidates must be a maximum of 32 years of age at the time of application. UNICEF emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply. The organization offers flexible working arrangements and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements.