Temporary Appointment, Child Protection Specialist, P-3, Bujumbura, Burundi (11 months) post# 95330 (Re-Advertisement)

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

For every child, A future

The Child Protection Specialist reports to the Chief, Child Protection for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection (or a sector of) program/s and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of child protection programs/projects within the country program. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well-being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

In particular, the Child Protection Specialist will focus on monitoring violations and strengthening child protection systems in collaboration with the Government and partners. Existing community-based child protection mechanisms should be reinforced and the system of referrals improved. Prevention and response to trafficking and gender-based violence should be strengthened, including through community-based mechanisms. Civil society monitoring network should be supported and capacity reinforced.

How can you make a difference? 

Support to program/project development and planning

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results, particularly related to strengthening the child protection system and monitoring violations.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection programs/projects.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM).
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

 Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in child protection programs.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

 Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Ensure gender components effectively integrated into UNICEF and partner programming, serve as section gender focal point if required.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to NGO partners on child protection approaches, and related issues to support program management, implementation and delivery of results, particularly related to monitoring.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Participate in child protection program meetings including program development and contingency planning discussions on emergency preparedness in the country or other locations designated to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.

 Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant civil society partners, government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through networking, advocacy and effective communication.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions including backstopping in absence of Child Protection in Emergencies coordinator, and planning on child protection and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programs and emergency interventions.

 Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Organize and implement trainings, serving as the trainer as needed, to strengthen partner capacity related to child protection principles, ethical data collection, monitoring and reporting.
• Support evaluation of trainings and knowledge management to ensure learning is documented.
• Evaluate, adapt and improve capacity building activities to improve effectiveness.
• Ensure knowledge management through maintenance of relevant database and documentation of reports and results.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Education: An Advanced University degree in human rights, international development, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required. *First university degree with additional 2 years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Work experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in child protection or related field, including human rights, monitoring violations and strengthening child protection systems. Must have experience conducting training, building capacity of partners and coordinating partners. Experience in a developing country and a humanitarian context required. Knowledge and experience related to prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) an advantage
• Language: Fluency in English and French is required.  Knowledge of local language is an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate…

• Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results
• Leading and Supervising , Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing , Applying Technical Expertise  , Planning and Organizing 

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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Remarks

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that this is a non-family duty station.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service