Child Protection Officer/Birth registration, UNICEF Senegal Country Office NO-B

The Child Protection Officer reports to the Chief, Child Protection for guidance and general supervision. The Officer supports the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national strategies and measures, and UNICEF interventions, in the areas of birth registration, in the broader perspective of civil registry systems reform. The Child Protection Specialist is responsible for planning, managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of child protection programs/projects within the country program. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the Government and civil society to promote and support birth registration, in particular stimulating the demand for civil registry, building community based capacities to support birth registration, supporting access to quality civil registry services, including through health services, and supporting data generation around vital events. The Child protection specialist will support also the development and implementation of an M&E framework to measure progress in terms of birth registration.

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.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

The Child Protection Officer reports to the Chief, Child Protection for guidance and general supervision. The Officer supports the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national strategies and measures, and UNICEF interventions, in the areas of birth registration, in the broader perspective of civil registry systems reform.

 The Child Protection Officer is responsible for planning, managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of child protection programs/projects within the country program. The Officer provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the Government and civil society to promote and support birth registration, in particular stimulating the demand for civil registry, building community based capacities to support birth registration, supporting access to quality civil registry services, including through health services, and supporting data generation around vital events. The Child protection Officer will support also the development and implementation of an M&E framework to measure progress in terms of birth registration.

Key Expected Results

• Support to programs development and planning
• Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
• Technical and operational support to program implementation
• Networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

Support to program/project development and planning

• Conduct/update of situation analysis for the programs sectors for development, design and management of child protection related program/projects. Research and report on development trends and (economic, social, health etc) data for use in program development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.   
• Contribute to the development/establishment of sectoral program goals, objectives and strategies and result-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection and other related information for development planing and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical, program, operational and administrative transactions, preparing related materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required documentations/materialas/data to facilitate the program review and approval process. 
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the sector/s using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval process.

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or 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  s and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.

• Plan and/or collaborate with Government partners, civil Society organizations, UN agencies and international Organizations, to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other of system indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in child protection programs. 

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required action/interventions to achieve results. 

• Actively support the development and implementation of the M&E framework for Child protection, in particular with regards to birth registration. 

• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation tools and reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals. 

• Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys and/or exchange of information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. 

• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources. 

Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

• Technical and operational support to program implementation
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners/donors to develop AWP based on national priorities and system approach strategies, processes and best practices for birth registration to support program management, implementation and delivery of results. 
• Arrange/coordinate the development and implementation of national action plans and strategies in support of birth registration across sectors. 
• Provide technical guidance and operational support in ensuring birth registration is properly addressed in national policies, strategies, measures and services across sectors. 
• Maintain close working relations with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely/appropriate support throughout the programming/projects process. 
• Participate in child protection program meetings including program development and contingency planning discussions on emergency preparedness in the country or other locations designated to provide technical and operational information, advice and support. 
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration in the area of birth registration.
• 
  Networking and partnership building
• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results in child protection.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programs and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results in child protection and related programs/projects.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of child protection programs/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children against all forms of violence and abuse, including a focus on birth registration, that ensures their right to identity, legalprotection, education, social protection, and more broadly integration. Achievements in child protection programs and projects 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 country.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• An Advanced University degree in law, international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, gender studies, and other social science field is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in policies and/or programme development, planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating, in the areas of child protection and/or birth registration. Experience in C4D programming and/or institutional reforms is a key asset. Relevant experience within the UN system is an asset. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Fluency in French and knowledge of the local language is required. Good writing and oral skills in English required.

• Competencies of Successful Candidate

 Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with people
• Drive for results

Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and initiating action
• Applying technical expertise

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.