Child Protection Officer

The Child Protection Officer supports the development, management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of child protection programmes within the country programme. The role provides technical guidance and management support to create a protective environment for children and protect their rights according to international frameworks and UNICEF standards.

Responsibilities

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the child protection programmes/projects to ensure current and comprehensive data is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy and programme priorities.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions and formulate, design and prepare programme/project proposals aligned with UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and national priorities.
• Establish goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans using results-based planning methodology (RBM).
• Provide technical and operational support throughout programming processes to ensure integration and achievement of results.
• Plan and collaborate to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and assess programme performance and accountability.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and counterparts.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps and lessons learned for development planning.
• Actively monitor programmes through field visits and information exchange to assess progress and resolve issues.
• Monitor and verify appropriate use of programme resources ensuring compliance with rules and donor commitments.
• Prepare regular programme/project reports for management, donors and partners.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government, NGO, UN partners and donors on UNICEF policies and best practices in child protection.
• Arrange and coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ for support.
• Participate in child protection programme meetings including emergency preparedness discussions.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and strategic programme materials for management use.
• Build and sustain effective partnerships with government, stakeholders, global partners, donors and academia through networking and advocacy.
• Prepare communication and information materials for programme advocacy and fundraising.
• Represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions and planning on child protection issues.
• Apply innovative approaches and good practices to build capacity of partners and support programme delivery.
• Research, benchmark and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems.
• Contribute to development and implementation of policies and procedures for programme efficiency.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance competencies of clients and stakeholders.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, social science or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required.
• Effective communication, excellent analytical, collaboration skills, with proven experience in networking, advocacy, and monitoring to effectively support programme implementation and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Experience with the UN system, in development and humanitarian contexts, experience in child protection, programme development, humanitarian emergencies and interagency coordination is desired.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Skills

• Child Protection
• Social Development Planning
• Programme Implementation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Advocacy
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Inter-agency Coordination
• Humanitarian Emergency Operations
• Program Development
• Technical Guidance
• Management Support
• Networking
• Child Rights Promotion
• UNICEF Standards Compliance
• Experience in Fragile Settings
• English Language Proficiency
• Arabic Proficiency

Languages

English, Arabic