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NUNV Child Protection Associate - Sheikhpura in Bihar

Patna

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Patna
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Protection Officer (Refugee)
    • Basic Social Service
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

THIS POSITION IS TO BE BASED IN SHEIKHPURA DISTRICT IN BIHAR

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Organizational Context & Project Description

UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme in India seeks to promote the protection of children from violence, exploitation & abuse and ensure their participation in key decision making processes. It supports the implementation of the Government of India’s Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006), and other child welfare & protection schemes/ programmes to create a protective environment for children and adolescents.

In Bihar, UNICEF has been working closely with the State Department of Social Welfare / Women Development Corporation (WDC) to prevent child marriage and strengthen community structures, government services, build capacities of key stakeholders for protection of children and provide platforms for the adolescent empowerment and participation. This campaign spearheaded by the Chief Minister has given the much needed impetus for larger policy implications and stringent implementation of existing laws and policies. The initiatives to end marriage in the state has been scaled up to all 38 districts of Bihar.

UNICEF is also providing support to develop and finalise the State Action Plan (SAP) on the prevention of child marriage. Additionally, to consolidate and build a convergent approach towards addressing adolescent issues, Adolescent Cell has been constituted in the state under the leadership of WDC. The Cell comprises of inter-departmental Committees which will liaise and coordinate with all concerned line departments (Health, Education, Labour Resource (for skilling), Social Welfare, Rural Development (JEEViKA), SC/ST, Minority Welfare & IPRD) as well as development partners, civil society organizations and adolescent groups themselves, towards strengthening adolescent programming in Bihar. The Cell aims to ensure interdepartmental and inter-sectoral convergence for all policies, flagship programs and interventions related to adolescent development and empowerment.

Living Conditions

Sheikhpura is one of the thirty eight districts of Bihar stateIndia, and Sheikhpura town is the administrative headquarter of this district. Sheikhpura district is a part of Munger Division. Sheikhpura was separated from Munger District and was made a separate district with headquarter at Sheikhpura on 31 July 1994. The district is a part of erstwhile Magadh empire and proudly follows rich culture of Magadh. Languages used in the district include Hindi and Magahi.

Conditions of Service: A 12-month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Rs. 42,473.67 (Rupees Forty Two Thousand Four Hundered Seventy Three and Paise Sixty Seven only) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Interested candidates should submit their applications at http://www.in.undp.org/content/india/en/home/operations/careers/

Duties and Responsibilities

One district UN Volunteer will be placed in each of the 12 districts of the state. They will be placed with the district administration responsible for child protection and prevention of child marriage initiatives at the district level. Strengthening child protection systems, support to the district administration influencing policies and programmes, and building capacity among caregivers/community members/ duty bearers depends on comprehensive situational analysis and knowledge management relevant to child protection – these are all areas of contribution of the district UN Volunteer. Furthermore, she/he will provide support to initiatives under the thematic area of adolescent empowerment and participation. She/he will have interaction and coordination with NGOs, Government and state offices.

Under the technical supervision of Bihar Child Protection Specialist, and day to day supervision of District Nodal Officer for implementation of the prevention of child marriage programme, the NUNV Child Protection Associate will perform the following tasks:

  • Support district administration to oversee and monitor implementation of structured activities related to adolescent participation, especially with adolescent and parents groups
  • Support the district administration in implementation of the district action plan for ending child marriage
  • Support the district administration in awareness/ outreach activities on issues of child marriage, access to quality education, health services, value of girl child, adolescent empowerment
  • Provide support to the Adolescent Cell in partnership building and coordination with different line departments under the district administration for adolescent programming and prevention of child marriage
  • Coordinate with concerned officials for district level data, compile reports & good practices documents, programme status report, programme analysis
  • Ensure regular communication and information support at the district level
  • Ensure accurate and timely dissemination of updates on on-going child protection initiatives within the district

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

  • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
  • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
  • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
  • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/ websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
  • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
  • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

  • Support to district administration to operationalise district workplan, monitoring systems adolescent empowerment and ending child marriage programme
  • Support District Task Force to ensure convergent inter-departmental initiatives for adolescent empowerment and ending child marriage
  • Support District task force to establish mechanisms for strengthening adolescent engagement and participation in flagship programmes, community structures and relevant platforms
  • Support district task force to establish Child Resource Centre with access and availability of resource/reference materials, information, guidelines and tools
  • Document at least 1 human interest stories/case studies/good practices every month on adolescent empowerment and ending child marriage
  • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);
  • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
  • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Competencies

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree in relevant social science disciplines, such as: child development, social development, international relations, social work, law (international law, humanitarian law), economics and social policy.

Research background and knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, preferably with specialization in areas of child rights, child protection and social development.

At least two years of relevant professional work experience in programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation

Developing country work and/or field experience, good understanding of local governance and services an asset

Good knowledge of child protection, human rights and gender.

Good analytical, negotiation and communication (verbal and written) skills.

Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Power point, database programs, etc.)

Good understanding of quantitative methods.

Familiarity with South Asia or other developing countries an asset

Disclaimer

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

United Nations Volunteers reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this opening for other openings with United Nations Volunteers with similar assignment description, experience and educational requirements.

This vacancy is now closed.
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