Child Protection and Adolescent Engagement Specialist, NOC (TA), New Delhi

The Child Protection and Adolescent Engagement Specialist has primary responsibility for developing multi-sectoral partnerships and coordinating UNICEF's work on the engagement of adolescents and ending child marriage, working in close collaboration with other UNICEF sections (C4D, CAP, education, health, WASH, nutrition, SPPME, RMP, etc.) in convergence with child protection programmes, with other UN agencies and development partners, with different government departments and a wide range of constituencies in India.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 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. And we never give up!

Click here to learn more about UNICEF:   https://youtube/E1xkXZs0cAQ

For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE:

India is a large country with a population of 1.2 billion individuals, of which, a robust 253 million adolescent population - the largest globally. Every fifth person is an adolescent and every third person is a young person.  Over the coming decades, adolescents and young people will constitute the largest section of population in India, with an immense potential to benefit their societies socially, politically and economically. 

UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the new Country Programme (2018-2022) lay emphasis on addressing issues linked to adolescent (10-14 and 15-19 years) development across all programmatic priorities – health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection and social policy. While analysing different dimensions and processes of participation, or engagement, the new Country Programme aims to address gaps in the enabling environment, including social norms, the quality of and demand for services pertaining to the full development of the child in a life-cycle approach that focuses on the windows of opportunity in early childhood and adolescence.

How can you make a difference?

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world's thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference.  The Child Protection and Adolescent Engagement Specialist has primary responsibility for developing multi-sectoral partnerships and coordinating UNICEF's work on the engagement of adolescents and ending child marriage, working in close collaboration with other UNICEF sections (C4D, CAP, education, health, WASH, nutrition, SPPME, RMP, etc.) in convergence with child protection programmes, with other UN agencies and development partners, with different government departments and a wide range of constituencies in India. The position is also responsible for guiding the work on the adolescent engagement and ending child marriage component working closely with the child protection specialist/officer at the State level.

The Child Protection and Adolescent Engagement Specialist (NOC) reports to the Child Protection/Adolescent Specialist (P4) for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of strategies and work plan related to child protection and adolescent programming with special focus on ending child marriage across UNICEF India country programme and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of ending child marriage and adolescent empowerment programs/projects within the country program. 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.

The Specialist contributes to achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Major duties and responsibilities:

Support to program/project development and planning

• Support the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis for child protection and adolescent programs/projects and/or sector to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence based data on child protection and adolescent issues (special focus on ending child marriage) are available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency and delivery with special focus on adolescent participation.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection adolescent programming with focus on ending child marriage. Formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• 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.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes and to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurement to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in adolescent programming.
• 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.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation 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 on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on adolescent and related issues to support program management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely/appropriate support throughout the programming/projects process.
• Participate in child protection and adolescent related 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. 

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 adolescent programming with focus on participation.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection and adolescent 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 UNSDF 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 adolescents-related 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 adolescent related programs/projects.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values (Required)

• Commitment    
• Diversity and Inclusion    
• Integrity

Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication  [ II ] 
• Working with People  [ II ]
• Drive for Results  [ II ] 

 Functional Competencies (Required)

• Leading and Supervising [I] 
• Analyzing [III]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [II]
• Persuading and Influencing [II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [III]
• Planning and Organizing [II]
• Adapting and Responding Change [III]
• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks [III]

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE  

 Specific Technical Knowledge Required [ for the job ]

• Systems approach to Child Protection
• Adolescent Development and Participation
• Project Cycle Management, with a focus on child rights based approach
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Reporting and documentation
• Public Administration in India, with a focus on national and state level flagship schemes and programmes on children / adolescent / youth and social protection
• Facilitation and training.

Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)

• Child Protection and Adolescent Engagement.

   

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Requirements of the position (QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES):-

Education:      

An Advanced University degree in social sciences and development sciences, public policy, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or related field(s).

Experience:    

• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection/ adolescent development and/other related areas
• Working experience on adolescent programming, understanding of the cultural context with regards to adolescent/youth engagement and participation issues.
• Relevant experience in child protection, adolescent/youth related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Experience of working with Government departments and understanding of government systems will be an advantage.

Language Requirements:      

Fluency in English and Hindi is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

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

UNICEF has recently become the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace. UNICEF’s commitment to EDGE reaffirms our pledge to gender equality and inclusion all UNICEF staff worldwide.

This certification recognizes UNICEF’s commitment to achieving significant milestones in gender equality for all its staff, including strong gender balance at all levels of the organization, pay equity, a solid framework of policies and practices, and an inclusive workplace culture.

“UNICEF’s most important asset is our staff — all of our staff. Gender diversity and equal opportunities for men and women is not only a matter of rights. It makes us more effective as an organization.” Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.

We are the first United Nations agency to be awarded the EDGE certification – the leading global standard for gender equality in the workplace.

For more information on UNICEF EDGE Certification, kindly view the video here.

UNICEF prides itself on fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Remarks:  

• The position is based in New Delhi (India).
• Selected applicant will have a 364 days Temporary Appointment contract.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. 

 For more information about UNICEF India, please refer to the link below: - http://unicef.in

******************