Child Protection Specialist, P-3, Lilongwe, Malawi

The overall purpose of the job is to support national efforts to establish and have operational a National Child Protection System that protects children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect while mitigating the impact of HIV on them. The Child Protection Specialist will be primarily accountable for supporting national capacities to strengthen three components of the National Child Protection System. These components are: 1) Legal and regulatory; 2) Coordination, governance and accountability; and 3) Capacity building, infrastructure and funding.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

Organizational Context

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 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.
However, despite decades of strong work in these sectoral areas, inequity remains. While progress is being made, something different is required to accelerate progress towards not just long term and sustainable development improvements, but significant impacts for the most vulnerable and excluded children who may still be left behind with traditional development interventions.

Purpose of the position

Accountable for formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of core aspects of the Child Protection programme to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives. As head of one unit in the Child Protection section, direct, lead and manage a group of professional staff to develop, manage and administer the assigned programme. The overall purpose of the job is to support national efforts to establish and have operational a National Child Protection System that protects children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect while mitigating the impact of HIV on them. The Child Protection Specialist will be primarily accountable for supporting national capacities to strengthen three components of the National Child Protection System. These components are: 1) Legal and regulatory; 2) Coordination, governance and accountability; and 3) Capacity building, infrastructure and funding.

Key Expected Results

• Timely sectoral analysis, input, support and collaboration to the Situation Analysis and its periodic update made for effective programme planning, development and management.
• UNICEF’s global goals effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue with the sectors responsible for Child Protection, in particular Social Welfare/Protection and Justice.
• Knowledge management effectively promoted through drafting/finalizing key Child Protection sectoral programme documents and reports, sharing good practice, lessons learned, and knowledge/information exchange.
• Quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes effectively promoted. Coherence, synergy and value added to programme management process through results-based management.
• Gender/sex disaggregated data and inputs relevant to the Child Protection programme provided.
• Sectoral work plan and activities formulated, implemented and monitored, ensuring alignment with the defined programme strategies and approaches.
• Programme delivery, evaluation and reporting carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
• Proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability ensured regarding supply and non-supply assistance as well as disbursement of programme funds for the Child Protection sector.
• Effective communication and networking achieved through partnership and collaboration.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Programme Planning, Development and Management
   Enhance effective planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situational Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, and the timely preparation or finalization of assigned input. Provide substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to Child Protection.
   Take primary responsibility for the development of the assigned project/sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.
   Lead, support and manage group of professional staff to develop, manage and administer the assigned programme.
2. Promotion of UNICEF’s Global Goals
   Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission, goals and programmes.
3. Knowledge Management
   Promote knowledge management by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.
4. Rights-Based and Results-Based Approach
   Promote the quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes through participation in the formulation of programme goals, strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or inter-sectoral management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
5. Programme Delivery, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
   Ensure programme, sectoral and inter-sectoral, efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to monitoring and evaluation. Participation in monitoring, major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports.
6. UNICEF and Government Accountability
   Coordinate with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certify disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.
7. Communication, Collaboration, Innovation, Networking and Partnership
   • Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Child Protection programme requirements and objectives.
   • Collaborate with Communication colleagues to ensure development of effective communication and C4D materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.
   • Collaborate with other Programme/Project Officers to ensure the integration of Child Protection with other sectors.
   • Collaborate with the Operations and Supply Sections and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Child Protection programme planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.
   • Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations.
   • Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection programme goals.

JOB GRADE FACTORS (Level 3)
• As a line manager for assigned projects, lead effective and efficient planning, design, implementation and administration of specific project activities within a major programme that focus on achievement of UNICEF's programmatic priorities. Ensure that project delivery meets targeted goals and objectives.
• As a technical expert, contribute timely and effective technical advice, guidance and input to the preparation of situation analysis, formulation of programme strategy, planning, implementation and evaluation and human resources.
• Conduct field visits to monitor programmes as well as conduct periodic programme reviews.
• Make viable recommendations on programme implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of resources that contribute effectively to the advancement of the rights of children and women.
• Contribute to the development and introduction of new approaches.
• Certify allocation and disbursement of funds; determine supply and cash needs to ensure programme delivery meets targeted goals and objectives.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education:

• Advanced university degree, preferably in child protection, social sciences, law or other relevant field.
• A first level university degree in child protection, social sciences, law or other relevant field in combination with additional 3 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Five years of professional work experience at national and international levels in child protection, including international work experience.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and a second UN language is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication - Level 2
• Working with People - Level 2
• Drive for Result - Level 2 Functional Competencies:
• Leading and Supervising [ I ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ]
• Analyzing [ III]
• Relating and Networking [ II ]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [ II ]
• Applying Technical Expertise [ III ]

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising [ I ]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [ II ]
• Analyzing [ III]
• Relating and Networking [ II ]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [ II ]
• Applying Technical Expertise [ III ]

Technical knowledge

1) Specific Technical Knowledge Required [ II ]

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
• Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in strengthening child protection systems and partner capacity for protecting children against violence; gender based violence; in emergencies; in respect of harmful traditional practices; in improving justice for children, in birth registration, and in strengthening social welfare systems.
• Use of data and indicators in child protection.

2) Common Technical Knowledge Required [ II ]

• Methodology of programme/project management.
• Programmatic goals, policies and strategies for sectoral programmes.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.
• UNICEF policies and strategy in child protection, including: natural disasters, and recovery.
• Core commitments for children in emergencies (for all Emergency positions).
• UNICEF financial, supply and administrative rules and regulations.
• Rights-based and Results-based programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
• Mid-Term Strategic Plan
• UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.
• Gender mainstreaming, gender equality and diversity awareness.

3) Technical Knowledge to be Acquired/Enhanced [ II ]

• Government development plans and policies
• Knowledge of local conditions and country legislation relevant to UNICEF programmes
• UN policies and strategy to address international humanitarian issues and the responses.
• UN common approaches to programmatic issues and UNICEF positions
• UN security operations and guidelines.
• UN guideline on sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and partners.
• UNICEF policies and strategies promoting and supporting gender equality and diversity.

To view our competency framework, please click here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.