UNICEF recruits 01 Child Protection Specialist -Cluster, P3

Child Protection Specialist -Cluster, P3, Post# 105582, Fixed Term, Mogadishu CO, Somalia

Job no: 545827

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment

Level: P-3

Location: Somalia

Categories: Child Protection

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, support

How can you make a difference?

1. Child Protection Sub-cluster Planning, Development and Management.

Enhance effective sectoral and inter-sectoral collaborative partnerships in planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Sub-cluster work plan and its periodic update through accurate, complete monitoring and analysis; and the timely preparation or finalization of cross-sectoral input, leading to responsive child protection systems, including those related to GBV, gender, disability, HIV, and indigenous populations and facilitate measure of outcomes for different groups. Provide substantive technical advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of cluster and working group documents and plans of actions relating to Child Protection Sub-cluster and the Protection Cluster. In collaboration with national and international Child Protection Actors, map current institutional response capacities – including conducting a child protection specific 4Ws. In collaboration with Child Protection Actors, develop a realistic evidence‐based, interagency Child Protection response plan, including both programmatic and advocacy activities (results oriented).

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the Sub-cluster work plan and technical decisions as well as for Sub-cluster management, implementation and monitoring of assigned Sub-cluster activities in compliance with the defined cluster strategies and approaches.

Ensure Sub-cluster efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, Sub-cluster and Protection Cluster reviews and annual cluster/working group review meetings with members. Ensure the preparation of annual Child Protection Sub-cluster status reports, with contribution of all major partners.

With Child Protection Actors, identify benchmarks for the 3 year interagency Child Protection response plan, and ensure periodic review of agency and interagency response. With partners, identify response gaps (including geographic coverage and programmatic scope) and seek solutions for filling gaps. When implementing agencies are unable to fill an identified gap, work with UNICEF – and the Protection Cluster – to find a solution.

2. Promotion of Global Standards

Promote the global standards of child protection working groups through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes; and forge broad-based partnerships to raise awareness and stimulate open dialogue on the rights of the child and practices that create social exclusion or harm children.

Refresh or establish standards, where they are lacking, and core commitments to frame the response in the sector at the onset of the emergency. Work with Child Protection Actors and others to promote / facilitate the integration of cross –cutting issues into the Child Protection response (e.g. GBV, gender, HIV, rights‐based approach). Work with partners to promote the appropriate use of participatory and community‐based approaches in assessments, analysis, planning and monitoring and response. Participatory approaches must be in line with the best interest of the child. Work with partners to promote “do no harm” principles and facilitate their integration into all aspects of child protection response.

3. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

Promote knowledge management by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country; using the know-how of academic and knowledge institutions to collect, analyze and use relevant data to further understanding of social norms and harmful practices to children, particularly girls.

With Child Protection Actors, organize and supervise an interagency child protection needs assessment using the Global Child Protection Rapid Needs Assessment Tool to map out priority protection gaps and identify key resources and assets while considering the impact of the emergency on existing protective systems.

Work with Child Protection actors to develop an interagency CPiE capacity building strategy that meets the needs and priorities of key national and local stakeholders (i.e. Community, Civil society, Government officials, NGOs, non‐ CP Humanitarian actors) in order to be able to implement the agreed programmes

4. Rights-Based and Results-Based Approach.

Promote the quality of rights-based Child Protection Sub-cluster initiatives through participation in the formulation of goals, strategies and approaches, collaborating with key partners to address the multiple aspects of the protective environment; and to bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or inter-sectoral management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Management and Representational Responsibilities.

In consultation with non-governmental child protection actors and national civil society, identify appropriate mechanisms for working with and collaborating with national authorities. Promote, respect and ensure that the Principles of Partnership are reflected in the day-to-day work of the CP coordination mechanism. Represent the interest of the sectoral group in discussions with the humanitarian community and other stakeholders on prioritization, resource mobilization and advocacy. Establish results-oriented, two-way communication channels between the national and regional level to promote, upgrade and strengthen a more standardized child protection response at the operational and national level. Represent Child Protection Actors within the Protection Cluster, the OCHA lead Inter-Cluster Coordination Group and, when possible, within the IASC/UN country team. Promote emergency response actions, while at the same time considering the needs for early recovery planning. When feasible, work with Child Protection actors to identify entry points for building national child protection systems. Work with partners to develop a child protection interagency emergency preparedness plan (before, during and post emergency). During the transition phase of an emergency, work with child protection actors, government and other key stakeholders, including, where appropriate, groups at the global level, to develop a clear plan of action to hand over child protection in emergencies work to the appropriate actors.

6. Resource Mobilization

In close consultation with Child Protection Actors, develop CERF, appeals and HRP processes. Advocate with Donors to ensure appropriate support for interagency child protection activities. Organize interagency meetings with Donors. Leverage resources within UNICEF to support Interagency Agency child protection activities under the cluster.

7. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership.

Work with the Protection Cluster and / or other actors including other working groups to identify opportunities to integrate Child Protection into other protection and other sector activities and to avoid duplication.

Work with the Protection Cluster and / or other humanitarian actors to prevent unintentional harm to children as a result of inappropriate humanitarian assistance.

Collaborate with the Protection Cluster, Health Cluster, GBVWG and MHPSS Working Group.

Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Child Protection Working Group requirements and objectives. Conduct field visits to monitor field-based parners and collect information.

Collaborate with communication section and groups to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts in order to: enhance collaboration with media, civil society and involvement of children and their families to support positive practices; engage dialogue with private sector on good practices and corporate social responsibility; and strengthen partnerships with bilateral and multilateral organizations, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and regional development Banks, to generate greater investment in sectors with child protection responsibility.

Interact with Government and other Sub-cluster members, in the different stages of Child Protection Working Group implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection programme goals with all key partners.

In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthen partnerships with child protection humanitarian actors within the inter-agency standing committee (IASC) mechanism, for preparedness, contingency planning and response.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field.

Five years of professional work experience at national and international levels in child protection, including international work experience.

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA)

Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)

Works Collaboratively with others (1)

Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)

Innovates and Embraces Change (1)

Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)

Drive to achieve impactful results (1)

Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF only considers Higher education qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Deadline: 15 Nov 2021 E. Africa Standard Time