Temporary appointment: Child protection Specialist (Pycho Social Support Systems), P-3, Juba ( 364 days)

Accountable for formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of Child Protection programme(s) to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives. This post has a specific focus on Psycho-social support systems, including both technical support to partners and at times, direct service delivery. Promotes intersectoral partnerships leading to responsive child protection systems build on the strengths of issue-specific programming; and which addresses specific forms of vulnerability. This position will require frequent travel to remote and hard to reach areas in South Sudan.

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.

For every child,  Change 

The Child Protection Specialist reports to the Chief, of Field Office (Juba) (Level 5/4)  and technically reporting to  Child Protection Specialist (Level 4) for guidance. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection (or a sector of) program/s and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of child protection programs/projects within the Juba country office. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes  to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

This position will require frequent travel to remote and hard to reach areas in South Sudan.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Programme Planning, Development and Management.

Enhance effective sectoral or inter-sectoral collaborative partnerships in 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 sectoral input, leading to responsive MHPSS and child protection systems build on the strengths of issue-specific programming which addresses specific forms of vulnerability, including those related to gender, disability, HIV, and indigenous populations and facilitate measure of outcomes for different groups. Provide substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to PSS elements of Child Protection programme.

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the 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.

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; and forge broad-based partnerships to raise awareness and stimulate open dialogue on the rights of the child and practices that create social exclusion or harm children.

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; using the know-how of academic and knowledge institutions to collect, analyze and use relevant data to further understanding of social norms and harmful practices to children, particularly girls.

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, collaborating with key partners to address the multiple aspects of the protective environment; and to 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. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation, and Monitoring.

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches, with adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders. Support maintenance of information system for monitoring gender/sex disaggregated data.

6. Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting.

Ensure programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral, efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts, with involvement of all stakeholders. Ensure the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports, with contribution of all major partners.

7. UNICEF and Government Accountability.

Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government as well as all implementing partners accountability; and to orientate and train Government and all UNICEF implementing partners in UNICEF supply and non-supply policies and procedures. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

8. Communication, Collaboration, 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. Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and collect information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.

• Collaborate with Communication and Programme Communication groups to ensure development of
effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts in
order to: enhance collaboration with media, civil society and involvement of children and their families
to support positive practices; engage dialogue with private sector on good practices and corporate
social responsibility; and strengthen partnerships with bilateral and multilateral organizations, including
International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and regional development Banks, to generate greater investment in sectors with child protection responsibility.

• Overall coordination with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Programme/Project Officers to ensure the integration of the sectoral programme 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 Child Protection 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 with all key partners.

• In line with the Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) in Humanitarian Action, strengthen
partnerships with child protection humanitarian actors within the inter-agency standing committee
(IASC) mechanism, for preparedness, contingency planning and response.

 Qualifications of  a Successful Candidate 

• Advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field.** A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.**
• A minimum of 5 years  of professional work experience at national and international levels in child protection, including first hand experiences in Psycho-Social support programs and projects for most vulnerable children.; and including international work experience.
• Background/familiarity with Emergency.
• This post has a specific focus on Psycho-social support systems, including both technical support to partners and at times, direct service delivery.
• Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Fluency in English 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.

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

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Please note that is a non-family duty station.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.