Chief Child Protection

Lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of child protection programmes in Malaysia, providing strategic leadership and technical oversight. Foster partnerships with government, donors, UN agencies, private sector, and business partners to strengthen systems and influence national policies for child protection.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for the development, implementation, and monitoring of child protection programmes in Malaysia.
• Lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of child protection programmes that deliver concrete and sustainable results supporting national efforts to strengthen the protection environment for children.
• Support the Government in implementing the CRC Concluding Observations and Recommendations from 2026.
• Develop and build strategic partnerships with governments, CSOs/NGOs and business partners to ensure UNICEF adds value and supports the Government’s aspiration to reach high-income status while prioritizing children in national development.
• Contribute to the Malaysia MADANI framework and the 13th Malaysia Plan.
• Drive innovation to strengthen systems so that every child is protected, included, healthy, learning and able to realize their full potential.

Requirements

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in International Development, Psychology, Sociology, Law - International, Social Science, Human Rights and any other related fields.
• At least 8 years of relevant work experience in Programme, Child Protection, Development, Human Rights, International Development, Research, Partnerships, Child Online Protection, Alternative Care, and any other related fields.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• English - Proficient/Fluent.
• Desirable: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
• Desirable: Experience in high-income country contexts, online child protection, development & humanitarian settings, migrant/undocumented children, alternative care experience.
• Desirable: Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Skills

• Child Protection Programme Implementation
• Strategic Leadership
• Technical Oversight
• Partnership Building
• Policy Influence
• International Development
• Human Rights
• Child Online Protection
• Alternative Care
• Programme Implementation
• Programme Monitoring
• Research
• Experience in Fragile Settings
• Humanitarian Contexts
• Migrant Children Protection
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English