Child Protection

Details

Mission and objectives

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 favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, hygiene/sanitation and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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.

Context

Within the new Country Programme (CPD), 2022-2026, the UNV will be supporting the Child protection team on key interventions related to policy and legislation review, child rights, governance combined with enhanced coordination, budgetary and human resources to implement child protection programmes. In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the NOC Child protection Specialist (Output lead) leading on the child rights and policy/legislative agenda framework and the Chief of Section, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Provide support to the NOC Child protection Specialist, in the overall oversight and strategic guidance, and technically sound decision-making processes in child rights while ensuring inter-sectoral coordination within UNICEF (w/Education, Social Policy, Health). - Support the coordination efforts with other UN agencies working on child rights and the children in armed conflict agenda (CAAC). - Support the development and implementation of the UPR Action plan in coordination with other key stakeholders (MoJ/Ombudsman office/Human Rights Commission/UNDP/OHCHR). - Support the implementation and partnership engagement with the Ombudsman and Human Rights commission on the child rights agenda. - Support the integration of child protection specific concerns in broader advocacy efforts and strategic engagement with key stakeholders in the sector (ex. Alternative Think Tank, MHPSS, Children in Armed Conflict (CAAC), CRC concluding observations/recommendations) – creating linkages/inputs in the ongoing advocacy strategies in UNICEF Mozambique. - Support coordination of the child labour agenda to ensure intra-sectoral coordination within UNICEF with other programmes (SPEAR/Education/Partnership).