Child Protection Officer

Update

The UNICEF Morocco Country Office is implementing a child protection programme to support national and subnational efforts to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect affecting children. The programme aims to strengthen an integrated and inclusive child protection system by improving prevention, early identification, referral and access to quality, child-sensitive services, with particular attention to children in vulnerable situations. Key areas of support include strengthening social service and case management systems, promoting justice for children, enhancing intersectoral coordination, supporting positive social and gender norms, and reinforcing the capacities of government institutions, civil society organizations, communities and frontline professionals.

The UNV Child Protection Officer will support the implementation, monitoring and documentation of UNICEF Morocco’s child protection programme under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist and in close coordination with relevant programme teams and partners. The Officer will contribute to initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect; strengthening child protection systems and case management; improving referral pathways and access to quality, child-sensitive services; promoting justice for children and positive parenting; supporting community engagement and the transformation of harmful social and gender norms; and strengthening coordination and the capacities of government institutions, civil society organizations, communities and frontline professionals.

The UNV Child Protection Officer will also support evidence generation, data analysis, reporting, knowledge management and the integration of child safeguarding, gender equality, inclusion and meaningful child participation across programme interventions.

The Child Protection Officer reports to the Child Protection Specialist for close guidance and supervision. Level 1 is an entry professional level and should therefore be normally used as a trainee level for the purpose of acquiring organizational knowledge of rules, regulations and processes to supplement academic and theoretical knowledge of the profession for upward mobility to higher responsibilities. Incumbents at this level are not expected to remain for an extended period of time in the post.

The Child Protection Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the child protection programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Programme within the Country Programme.

1. Support to programme development and planning

- Research and analyze regional and national political, protection, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
- Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
- Facilitate the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection programmes and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
- Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.
- Prepare required documentation and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.

- Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and to submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts, and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
- Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity.
- Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

3. Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting.

- Technical and operational support to programme implementation
- Undertake field visits and surveys, and collect and share reports with partners and stakeholders.
- Assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution.
- Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
- Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in child protection, to support programme implementation.

4. Networking and partnership building

- Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
- Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF operational planning and preparation of child protection programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with UNSDCF development and planning processes.
- Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
- Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programmes.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

- Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
- Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
- Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
- Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Child Protection Officer to programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence, and ensures their survival, development and wellbeing in society. Success in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.