Child Protection Specialist

UNICEF Ethiopia is implementing a 5-year country programme 2020-2025 which is fully aligned with the UNSDCF. UNICEF will work collaboratively within the UNSDCF on a joint strategy to strengthen national systems for data collection, analysis, monitoring and applying adjustments to promote equity. Evidence will be used to monitor the situation of children, tracking progress towards equity and scale, and to inform advocacy to adjust policies, strategies and budgets. Monitoring and corrective actions will be undertaken through UNICEF staff, partners and third-party monitoring, and through mechanisms for community feedback and accountability to affected populations.

Oromia Region continues to face conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and disease outbreaks, exposing children to heightened protection risks, including violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, early marriage, and family separation. Access to safe services remains limited in several zones. The western part of the region, particularly Wollega, continues to face the most severe challenges due to ongoing conflict and large-scale displacement since 2018.

Delivering technical support to child protection partners at zonal and wereda levels requires strong, quality programming that addresses the root causes of child protection issues. Skilled professionals in child protection are therefore essential for effective communication, planning, implementation, and monitoring. Their role is critical in ensuring that programming at the field level is both impactful and sustainable. This demands consistent, evidence-based, and timely support, coupled with a regular presence in the field to guide ongoing initiatives.

To respond to these needs, UNICEF’s Oromia Field Office is seeking to recruit a Child Protection Specialist based in Nekemte. The UNV will enhance coordination, strengthen child protection services, and assist government and partners in implementing prevention and response mechanisms that align with national frameworks and international standards.

The primary objective of this assignment is to strengthen child protection systems and emergency response through coordination, technical assistance, monitoring, and capacity building.

The Child Protection Specialist will be responsible for the following:

A. Child Protection Coordination and Partnership
• Participate and co-lead zonal-level Protection / Child Protection coordination forums.
• Support collaboration with Women and Children Affairs Offices and implementing partners.
• Promote inter-sectoral integration of child protection with Health, Education, Nutrition and WASH.
• Provide inputs to humanitarian planning products (HNO, HRP, HAC).

B. Programme Implementation Support
• Provide technical support to partners implementing child protection programmes.
• Support case management services for vulnerable children.
• Strengthen family tracing and reunification systems.
• Support community-based child protection mechanisms.
• Promote prevention of child marriage, GBV, and child labour.

C. Monitoring, Reporting and Analysis
• Track child protection trends and service coverage.
• Support routine partner reporting.
• Contribute to situation reports and analytical briefs.
• Monitor programme performance and identify service gaps.

D. Needs Assessment and Emergency Response
• Support rapid child protection assessments.
• Participate in field monitoring missions.
• Support analysis of risks and vulnerabilities affecting children.

E. Capacity Building
• Support training of social workers, teachers, health workers, and authorities.
• Promote CPMS standards and best practices.
• Strengthen referral pathways and inter-agency coordination.

F. Knowledge Management
• Support documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Maintain reporting files and programme records.
• Promote information sharing and learning.