Child Protection Specialist (Children on the Move)

at UNICEF
Location Khartoum, Sudan
Date Posted February 15, 2020
Category NGO
Job Type Full-time
Currency SDG

Description

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, Hope www.unicef.org/sudan

Sudan, surrounded by the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Libya and South Sudan, positioned next to East, West, South and North Africa, is surrounded by complex conflicts in an unpredictable, volatile and rapidly evolving region. Sudan is by size the third biggest country in Africa, with a diverse population of around 42 million people. Sudan's children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives significantly improve: fewer girls and boys are dying before their fifth birthday, primary school attendance is increasing, immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free. Still, millions of children continue to suffer from protracted conflict in Darfur, the Kordofans, and Blue Nile, from seasonal natural disasters, malnutrition and disease outbreaks, and from under-investment in basic social services. More than three million of Sudan's school aged children are not in the classroom. UNICEF has been in Sudan since 1952 and continues with a presence in 12 of Sudan's 18 states.

How can you make a difference?

 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 programme in Justice for Children and Children on the Move issues, 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.

The Specialist contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF's Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

The specialist will support strengthening the preventive and response services for vulnerable children through a holistic justice and social system strengthening approach as well as empowerment and life skills for adolescent and building resilience of the communities.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks: 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:  

  1. Support to program/project development and planning
  2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
  3. Technical and operational support to program implementation
  4. Networking and partnership building
  5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building 

ACCOUNTABILITIES, and DUTIES & TASKS

  1. Support to program/project development and planning
  • 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 and protection and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery.
  • Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection programs/projects. particularly in establishing this within the annual work plans, developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements. Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report to the Chief Child Protection (P5) on critical issues for timely actions.
  • Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the sector/s using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval.
  • Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
  • 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.
  • Ensure the integrated approach in provision of services to children with other UNICEF Sections at planning, implementation, Monitoring and results levels.

2. 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.
  • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results.
  • 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.

3.  Technical and operational support to program implementation

  • Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners/donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on child protection and related issues to support program management, implementation and delivery of results.
  • Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely/appropriate support throughout the programming/projects process.
  • 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.
  • Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
  • Establish framework and mechanism for regularly consulting with and communicating updates to relevant child protection and other colleagues at Country Office level and regional level
  • Provide technical support to relevant colleagues and regional level on good practices and lessons learned as part of wider capacity building in this relatively new and innovative area for child protection in Sudan.

4.   Networking and partnership building

  • Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results in child protection.
  • 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.
  • Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on child protection and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on planning and preparation of programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the process in development planning and agenda setting.

5.   Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

  • Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
  • Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
  • Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results in child protection and related programs/projects.

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

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher), preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field.
  • A minimum of five years of of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the international level some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required. Strong preference for international work experience or field work experience in Children on the Move and/or justice for children. Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
  • Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic 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.

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

The functional competencies required for this post are...

  • Leading and supervising
  • Formulating strategies and concepts
  • Analyzing
  • Relating and networking
  • Deciding and Initiating action
  • Applying technical expertise

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Remarks:

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

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

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