UNICEF recruits 01 Child Protection Specialist
Child Protection Specialist MRM/SEA, (NO3), Bangui, CAR #104537
Job Number: 521375 | Vacancy Link
Locations: Africa: Central Afr.Rep
Work Type : Fixed Term Appointment
Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
In line with UNICEF’s global commitment to provide effective leadership in the child protection area of responsibility, the purpose of this temporary assignment is to ensure child protection coordination mechanisms in in Central African Republic (CAR) to provide guidance to all partners on common standards, strategies and approaches; that all critical child protection gaps and vulnerabilities are identified; and that information is provided on roles, responsibilities and accountability to ensure that all gaps are addressed without duplication.
This position will require frequent travel to remote and hard to reach areas in CAR.
Job organizational context
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 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.
The 2013-2015, exacerbation of the CAR crisis has deeply worsened the situation of women and children in the country. Among other deterioration and deprivation of children’s and women’s rights, sexual exploitation and abuse ranks as one of the worst.
from 2014 through to 2018 multiple cases of sexual abuse against children, mainly involving UN peacekeepers and international forces, have been brought to the attention of the UN and international human rights organizations, as well as being widely communicated in the media. Between 2014 to March 2019, nearly 314 cases of allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation against children and women have been reportedly committed by international military forces and UN peacekeepers.
The country is also one of the 20 countries in the world where the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism is established. Children are suffering from Massacres, Mutilations, Abductions, Sexual Violence, Recruitment in Armed Groups and Strikes on Schools, Hospitals and Facilities. water supply: children living in conflict zones around the world continue to suffer horrific attacks by armed groups in most of the country.
The number of UN-confirmed cases of children killed or maimed has increased dramatically. From 2014 to 31 December date, 13 000 children, including an undetermined number of self-demobilized children and were released from the captivity of armed groups. These achievements were realized through the collaboration between UNICEF, Caritas, AFEB, War Child UK, Save the Children, COOPI, Esperance, AFRBD, Don Bosco… under the coordination of the Ministries of Defense, Social Affairs, the High Commission for DDR and MINUSCA. Children released from armed groups were supported by foster families and transit centres. Despite the limited number of reintegration opportunities, more than 70% of released children have benefited from psychosocial assistance and received training for their professional integration across the country.
Most of these children say they have joined armed groups for economic reasons, for lack of alternatives, to avenge rival groups that attacked their communities, to participate in self-protection groups as well as in response to the call to ‘protect the nation’. Both girls and boys are used as fighters, porters, cooks and spies. These children suffer from violence and psychological trauma from the atrocities they witnessed. Girls are subject to sexual abuse committed by commanders of armed groups and other fighters.
The nature of the crisis in CAR requires: (1) the strengthening of communication at the community level and the implementation of monitoring mechanisms for information sharing on serious violations of children’s rights established by Security Council Resolution 1612. (2) The implementation of activities to prevent family separation during the displacement of the population and to stop the recruitment and use of children.
CAR has the highest reported numbers of SEA cases committed by international forces in all United Nations (UN) Department of Peace Keeping Operations’ (DPKO) missions in 2015 and CAR is now at the forefront of international efforts to address issues related to SEA. Rising to this challenge is a significant commitment for UNICEF and all other child-focused organizations working in CAR. UNICEF CAR is committed to taking all necessary steps to prevent and respond to SEA of children by UN/UNICEF staff and related personnel as well as ensuring systems are in place to prevent and protect children from abuse of any kind, regardless of the perpetrator. UNICEF’s commitment to addressing SEA involves institutionalizing SEA prevention and response across all programmes and offices.
At the country level, as part of efforts to address the recommendations of the external independent panel on CAR, a joint prevention task force on SEA was established under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of MINUSCA to mobilize the capacities of the UN Mission, United Nations agencies and their partners. In addition, coordination between MINUSCA and the UNCT has increased and been strengthened. Numerous joint missions to investigate cases of SEA have been organized as well as high-level engagement to coordinate and harmonize the response. UNICEF is a key player on SEA and MRM related issues globally and in CAR.
UNICEF country office developed an office action plan to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse.
Purpose for the job: The Child Protection Specialist (NOC) , reports to the: Child Protection Specialist P3 for guidance and general supervision. He/She will work in collaboration with the GBV sub cluster, Child protection cluster, PSEA TF and another humanitarian sector in CAR.
How can you make a difference?
I. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks :
Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.
1. Support to programme/project development and planning
o Support the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis for the child protection programs/projects and/or sector to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence-based data on child protection issues are available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights
o Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval
o Participate in strategic program discussions on the planning of child protection programmes/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programme/project proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans and the Country Programme, as well as coherence and integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities
o Support the SPS in preparing a “mapping” risk assessment to identify potential SEA/MRM-related risks and mitigation measures for UN personnel (civil and military) and international military forces as well as other humanitarian workers
o Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results on child protection with focus on MRM.
o Provide technical and operational support to relevant partners with an emphasis on MRM /SE issues and ensure harmonization of interventions with other sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
o In accordance with UNICEF, UN, MRM and SEA/GBV policy guidelines, plan and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to establish benchmarks, performance indicators, other indicators and measures to evaluate and strengthen accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for child protection programs
o Actively monitor program/projects through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems. Take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
o Monitors training programmes/projects, through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners to assess progress, prepares reports and ensures that appropriate advocacy and / or programmatic actions to prevent and address serious violations against children in link with UNICEF mandate and its partners including the national party are available in intersectoral way
o Performs training program to UNICEF and UN system staff and partners on MRM / SEA/GBV and ensure that field staff in charge of protection monitoring, reporting and coordination (child protection working group GBV) at the local level are sufficiently trained and equipped with the necessary capacities and knowledge about MRM and SEA.
o Contribute with updated MRM and SEA information to the monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with the government and others counterparts to assess progress and to determine required actions and interventions to achieve results
o In the Framework of intersectionality, work with Education’s section to support capacities building of technical government structures in charge of education and social protection at national level to address violence at school in accordance with child protection national Policy.
o support field office and follow up actions to strengthen MRM and coordination mechanisms at field level.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation.
o Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners and donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on MRM /SEA and by extension to all child protection related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results
o Concurrently promotes new UNICEF internal procedures for communication, agreements and interagency information sharing mechanisms on GBV/SEA and MRM issues to ensure effective data protection to ensure that collection, storage, use, disclosure and sharing of data are framed in a safe and ethical manner.
o Arrange and coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process. Prepare external mission support and follow agenda and all necessary requirements
o Follow victims assistance through GBV, services providers mechanisms to ensure that child survivors of SEA receive holistic support including psychosocial, medical, access to justice and any other required assistance following key principles such as protecting privacy, dignity and confidentiality. Adults will be referred to UNFPA or other relevant GBV sub cluster members
o Follow up procedures responding to report or concerns relating to SEA investigating are undertaken in line with the relevant standards and guidance
o Develop and roll out a communication plan including information materials for CO programme advocacy on MRM and SEA issues to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to support fund raising for child protection Programmes and emergency interventions.
o Ensure quality and timely inputs for donor’s reports, concepts note, and any other documents requested.
4. Networking and partnership building
o Set up operational strategies to reinforce integrated interventions between SEA issues and the others CP issues
o Child protection and GBV Coordination mechanism in field level trough technical support and capacity building
o Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, allies, donors, and academia – through active networking, advocacy and effective communication – to build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results in child protection.
o Work with C4D section to roll out communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness,
o Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency on PSEA MRM (Task Force, SEA Network GBV cluster, Child protection sub cluster) discussions and planning on child protection related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on planning and preparation of programmes/projects, tools development. Ensure organizational position concerning GBV/SEA and MRM, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process for development planning and agenda setting
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
o Assess with the support field offices, all partners capacity to implement SEA preventive measures and MRM activities. Adapted or redesign with innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results
o Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practice in child protection
o . Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems.
o Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable program and projects.
6-Reporting and Information management
o Receive complaints and reports about alleged SEA (from staff, partners, community members, other).
o Create and update a share drive for office staff to access PSEA policy and guidance materials.
o Support Keep and updated record of SEA cases and of the status of child victims’ assistance.
o Internal capacity building
o Support the PSEA specialist on the reporting of SEA allegations through the internal Notification Alert. and inter-agency information sharing procedure agreed with the PSEA Country Task Force.
II. Impact of Results
The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of child protection programmes/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to the achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children against harm, all forms of violence and ensures their survival, development and well-being in society. Achievements in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country. Country office PSEA action plan and is ongoing.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
III. Recruitment Qualifications
Education: Advanced university degree, preferably in the Psychology, Social Work, social sciences, law or other relevant field.
Experience:
o A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the national level some of which preferably were served in emergency country is required. Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
o Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
Language: Fluency in French and good command of English are required.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
View our competency framework at : http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
Very Important:
– Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process;
– Female candidates and disable persons are highly encouraged;
– Unicef is a non smoking work place.
Closing Date Tue May 07 2019 23:55:00 GMT+0100 (Afr. centrale Ouest)