Temporary Appointment, Child Protection Officer, (NO-1), Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Open to Uzbekistan nationals only)

The Child Protection Officer reports to the Child Protection Specialist for overall management of EU funded project “Protecting children affected by migration”. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for this EU funded project through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical program information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Program within the Country Program.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

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 favoritism. 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 fulfill 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.

Job organizational context: The Child Protection Officer (TA) is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where the Child Protection Program is a key component of the Country Program. The Officer reports to the Child Protection Specialist who is at Level 3.

Purpose for the job: The Child Protection Officer reports to the Child Protection Specialist for overall management of EU funded project “Protecting children affected by migration”. The Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for this EU funded project through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing and presenting technical program information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Program within the Country Program.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to program development and planning
2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to program implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to program development and planning

• Research and analyze regional/national political, protection, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate project implementation design and preparation.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for project preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
• Facilitate the development of sectoral objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection information for development planning and priority setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by preparing materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results based planning and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate the program review and approval process.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine program implementation and 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, program reviews and annual sectoral reviews with 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 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 issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare inputs for program/donor reporting.

3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Undertake field visits and surveys and/or collect/share information with partners/stakeholders to 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 on 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 government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate EU funded project implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program 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 UNDAF operational planning and preparation of child protection programs/projects and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF position and strategies with the UNDAF development and planning process.

• 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 knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Research, benchmark 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.

Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to program preparation and planning and implementation of project, 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 well being in society. Success in child protection programs and projects in turn contributes 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.

Competencies and level of proficiency required (based on UNICEF Professional Competency Profiles)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies 

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (I)
• Drive for results (I)

Functional Competencies:

• Formulating strategies and concepts (I)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)

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

The technical competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

Recruitment Qualifications

Education: A University Degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required.

Experience: A year of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the international and/or in a developing country is an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian language and Uzbek languages is an asset

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.