Child Protection Officer MRM/IMO - NOB (Fixed Term)- Re-advertised

The Child Protection Officer – MRM Information Management (IM) - reports to the Child Protection Specialist, Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) Coordinator for Syria for supervision and provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for MRM (both Syria and other MENA countries, as needed) as well as broader child protection programs/projects within the Regional Program

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.

Purpose of the job:

The Child Protection Officer – MRM Information Management (IM) - reports to the Child Protection Specialist, Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) Coordinator for Syria for supervision. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for MRM (both Syria and other MENA countries, as needed) as well as broader child protection programs/projects within the Regional Program - in particular related to confidential, safe, secure and high quality information management for monitoring and reporting on grave violations against children - from development planning to delivery of results, preparing, executing, managing and implementing a variety of technical and administrative program tasks to facilitate program development, implementation, and program progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting.

Key Expected Results:

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to MRM program preparation and planning and implementation of MRM programs/projects, in particular for the Syria MRM, and contributes to 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 programs and projects, in particular MRM, in turn contribute to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the region.

How can you make a difference?

1.  Support to MRM information management (MRM-IM) program development and planning:

• Conduct/update situation analysis of MRM-IM for the program sector/s for development, design and management of information systems related to grave violations against children, including ongoing development and adaptation of the Syria MRM IMS, as well as other MENA MRM IMS, as needed to ensure MRM IMS are responsive to evolving grave violations monitoring and reporting IM needs. 
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of MRM-IM programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical, program, operational and administrative transactions, preparing related materials/documentations (including training/capacity building tools, MRM-IM related guidance, and specifications documents) and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required MRM-IM program documentations/materials/data to facilitate the program review and approval process.

 2.  MRM-IM program management, monitoring and delivery of results:

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to consolidate, review and ensure quality control of all Syria MRM-related data, provide feedback, recommendations and/or alert supervisor and appropriate counterparts and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Undertake regular Syria MRM data and information analysis, as well as broader contextual analysis through research, collection, analysis and reporting of grave-violation related information, to support MRM reporting and advocacy.
• Support MRM-IMS needs in other MENA countries implementing MRM programmes. 
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with regional and other counterparts to assess programs/projects and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of program management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues/findings to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular/mandated sectoral program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

 3.  Technical and operational support to MRM program implementation:

• Conduct program field visits and surveys (as needed) and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support on MRM IM, take appropriate action to resolve issues 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 regional counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other regional office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on Information Management for MRM and child protection and related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.

 4.  Networking and partnership building:

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

5- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building:

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

This role will be focused on acting as the Database Manager for the Syria MRM, and providing MENA and other MENA-countries implementing MRM programmes with information management-related technical support and capacity building as may be required. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: A University Degree in computer science, information management, international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required. Microsoft certifications in Access or SQL Server strongly preferred.

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of professional experience in database design, database administration, data management, and data analysis, with specific experiencing in information management for the MRM or human rights/protection. Relevant experience in child protection or humanitarian and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is highly desirable.
• Language: Fluency in English and Arabic is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Functional Competencies:

•          Formulating strategies and concepts (I)

•          Analyzing (II)

•          Applying technical expertise (II)

•          Learning and researching (II)

•          Planning and organizing (II)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.