Protection Officer (Child Protection)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Protection Officer (Child Protection)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
UNHCR places the highest importance on the provision of effective protection to children and youth of concern, with children and youth representing more than half of the persons falling under its mandate. UNHCR uses a rights and community-based approach, with a strong emphasis on inclusion within national child protection and education systems and services, to address the protection needs of children and youth of concern.  Child protection is recognized as global organizational priority for UNHCR. Dedicated child protection staff positions are needed to provide technical support to improve UNHCR¿s operational capacity to deliver effective protection to children, adolescents and youth of concern.

The Protection Officer (Child Protection) is a member of the protection team in a Country or Sub-Office. He/she may report to the Senior Protection Officer, Senior Protection Officer (Community-based), Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for child protection staff. He/she provides functional child protection oversight to information management and programme staff. The incumbent works directly with communities and children of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent also acts as an advisor to senior management in designing a child protection strategy that fits within the broader Protection and Solutions Strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with persons of concern, including children, adolescents and youth. The incumbent plans and undertakes quality, timely and effective child protection responses in line with UNHCR¿s Framework for Child Protection, in an age, gender and diversity inclusive manner.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Effective and timely support is provided to the formulation of a clear and coherent child protection strategy as part of the operation¿s broader Protection and Solutions Strategy, which incorporates a thorough age, gender and diversity analysis, identifies the needs and capacities of children of concern and reflects the Organization¿s global, regional and country level priorities.
- The country operation has systems and multi-sectoral programmes in place that address the protection and assistance needs of children of concern, and these are closely linked to SGBV and Education programmes and strategies.
- Protection interventions for individual children are supported by an effective case management system with well-functioning best interests procedures in line with UNHCR Guidelines and supported through country level Standard Operating Procedures.
- The country operation¿s capacity building plan includes a child protection component, and national child protection capacities are improved through direct engagement, research and advocacy with all relevant external interlocutors.
- The participation of children, adolescents and youth of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches, which inform protection and assistance programming and ensure that UNHCR meets its commitments to accountability to children, adolescents and youth of concern.
- Child protection interventions are effectively mainstreamed in other sectors.
- UNHCR¿s position and priorities in relation to child protection are authoritatively represented in inter-agency fora.

Responsibility
- Contribute to the development of a Child Protection strategy in partnership with Protection and Programme staff as part of the overall Protection and Solutions strategy, with particular emphasis on linkages with SGBV and Education.
- In line with UNHCR¿s Framework for the Protection of Children, design child protection programmes which are aligned with the national child protection system and services, and advocate for inclusion of children of concern in national child protection systems and related services such as birth registration or alternative care for unaccompanied children.
- Establish and/or strengthen strategic and innovative partnerships for Child Protection with community-based, local, national, and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
- Monitor Child Protection programs implemented by UNHCR and partners and adjust programming as required.
- Ensure through direct action and advocacy with senior management that the necessary resources are allocated to protect children of concern.
- Establish and/or strengthen a core referral mechanism for child protection response services through consultative development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Provide functional guidance to UNHCR and partner staff involved in child protection activities, and develop and implement child protection capacity development plans for UNHCR staff and partners. 
- Ensure that UNHCR procedures, including registration, refugee status determination and solutions, information and awareness-raising campaigns and community-based complaint mechanisms are child-friendly, and integrate an AGD approach.
- In consultation with the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office, establish/strengthen and/or lead Child Protection coordination mechanisms, and represent UNHCR¿s position on child protection in inter-agency fora.
- Support the participation of children, adolescents and youth in the development and implementation of strategies that address key child protection priorities, including through participatory assessments.
- Ensure that effective case management is in place for children at risk, including best interests procedures and referral systems, follow-up and monitoring.
- Ensure that existing protection monitoring mechanisms adequately capture protection risks facing children, adolescents and youth, and that these are reflected in the protection strategy, planning processes and operations plan.
- Maintain child protection presence through regular field missions and reports, making direct contact with children of concern, their families and communities, as well as local authorities and partners.
- Integrate child protection interventions into other sectors and programmes.

Authority
- Intervene with authorities on child protection issues.
- Enforce compliance of staff and partners with UNHCR's global protection policies and standards related to child protection, the best interests procedure and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
- Lead and/or represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora related to Child Protection.
- Support planning, programming and monitoring of budget and other resources dedicated to child protection programmes under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in International Law, Human Rights, International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Social Work, Political or Social Science or other clearly related disciplines plus minimum 6 years of previous work experience relevant to the function of which 2 years in the field. At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of protection of children, broader protection or social work involving children and youth, with knowledge of issues relating to child protection, education, gender, humanitarian and development issues, and SGBV prevention and response. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Strong experience in interacting with and building partnerships and synergies with UN agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Diverse field operational experience.
- Good IT skills including database management skills.
- Proven communication skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches.
- Extensive experience in working directly with children, adolescents and youth.
- Demonstrated coordination and consensus building skills to manage multiple stakeholder consultation processes.
- Training and coaching skills/facilitation of learning.
- Inter-agency experience.
- Experience managing child protection case management programmes, including implementation of best interests procedures.
- Experience using GBVIMS, CPIMS or other protection data management systems.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Protection Officer (Child Protection) positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

Please note that the closing date for vancancies in the Addendum 2 is Sunday 16 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time)