Protection Officer (Child)

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Officer and in close collaboration with the Community Services Officers. He/she has to show an ability to engage and form effective working relationship with implementing partners and any other relevant child protection actors, local authorities and refugees.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• The operation has a clear protection strategy for children which are developed in line with the child protection systems framework.
• The protection needs of children in the operation are known and are met through timely and coordinated action by UNHCR and partners.
• Platforms for child participation (e.g. in participatory assessment) exist and are functioning.
• Protection interventions for individual children are supported by an effective case management system with a well-functioning best interest mechanisms and standard operating procedures in place.
• Protection coordination mechanisms address effectively child protection issues.
• Child protection concerns are effectively mainstreamed in other sectors.
• Office capacity building plans and strategies include a child protection component and are effectively implemented.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Ensure that a system approach to protecting children of concern is adopted within the operation.
• Assess the risks and protection factors affecting girls and boys of concern to UNHCR; actively promote the participation of children and adolescents in participatory assessment carried out as part of the AGDM strategy.
• Ensure that effective case management is in place for children at risk, including identification, best interests process (BIA and BID), and referral systems, follow-up and monitoring.
• Establish the Best interest process, including a Best Interest Determination (BID) panel; ensure that all relevant actors are trained on best interests determination.
• Ensure that existing protection monitoring mechanisms adequately capture protection risk facing children and support the establishment of or strengthening of existing community-based child protection monitoring mechanisms.
• Set up and chair coordination mechanisms on child protection for the population of concern, as necessary with relevant actors, including UNICEF, ICRC, relevant NGOs and the concerned authorities.
• Assess training needs in the area of Child Protection, both with regards to UNHCR staff as well as population of concern, implementing partners and authorities, and conduct relevant training and capacity-building activities.
• Advocate and promote birth registration for all children of concern by the Government and by the Government or any other authorities as appropriate.
• Ensure that child protection activities are not planned in isolation of other protection and assistance activities but within the strategy of age, gender and diversity mainstreaming using a rights and community based approach.
• Provide technical advice and support to ensure child protection issues and concerns are reflected in the work of other sectors.
• Lead on the development of Standard Operating Procedure on child protection in collaboration with relevant actors within and outside UNHCR, as well as their implementation.
• Prepare regular report on child protection activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Enforce compliance with Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure child protection coordination mechanisms are effective and inclusive.

Minimum qualifications and professional experience required:

• Education: University degree (B.A.) or higher education relevant to Human Rights preferably in Law, Political Science or International Relations.
• Job experience: Minimum 8 years of previous job experience (6 years for M.A. holders) relevant to the function. Experience in refugee International Protection and knowledge of Refugee Law and Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Strong knowledge of child protection work and International Law on children.
• Languages: Excellent knowledge of English (C1) and working knowledge of another UN language (B2) are essential (preferably Arabic).

Desirable qualifications and competencies:

• Relevant knowledge in training methodologies and delivery.
• Experience in Best Interest Determination for children.
• Skills in interpersonal relations, networking and communication.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point).
• UNHCR Protection Learning Programme.
• Experience of Emergency operation and hardship duty station.