Programme Officer (Child Safeguarding), NO-2, Erbil, Iraq, #108419 (Iraqi nationals only)

The Programme Officer (Child Safeguarding), based in Erbil and reporting to the Child Safeguarding Specialist, will support all work related to PSEA in support of operationalizing the PSEA work plan, supporting UNICEF staff and partners, to support the institutionalisation of PSEA across the Country Office in line with overall accountability of UNICEF.

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.

For every child, hope

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 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Officer (Child Safeguarding), based in Erbil and reporting to the Child Safeguarding Specialist, will support all work related to PSEA in support of operationalizing the PSEA work plan, supporting UNICEF staff and partners, to support the institutionalisation of PSEA across the Country Office in line with overall accountability of UNICEF.

The main functions, accountabilities, and tasks, of this post are:

1. Support implementation of PSEA prevention and response with UNICEF partners through facilitation of training

• Deliver on-going refresher trainings and inductions on PSEA and Child Safeguarding for UNICEF staff, partners, and contractors
• Work with UNICEF partners to ensure survivor-centred, child-friendly awareness materials are developed and displayed in all UNICEF-supported sites including supporting development of messages and materials as needed.

2. Support institutionalisation of PSEA across UNICEF systems and programmes through implementation of Country Office action plan

• Deliver training workshops on PSEA and Child Safeguarding as to enable staff with key responsibilities to undertake their roles and mainstream PSEA and child safeguarding functions
• Build the capacity of the PSEA focal persons to ensure timely reporting and referrals
• Identify and utilize opportunities to integrate safeguarding approaches into all aspects of our work
• Support HR to ensure that all new recruits have had a thorough PSEA and Child Safeguarding Policy induction
• Support review of complaint mechanisms across UNICEF programming and locations to ensure child-friendly reporting channels are available and accessible safely and confidentially
• Support knowledge management efforts to ensure that PSEA and Child Safeguarding efforts are documented in a systematic manner

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree in social work, child psychology, social sciences, law or other relevant field
• A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in monitoring gender inequalities and in programming interventions that reduce these inequalities an asset
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization;
• Background/familiarity with emergency operations;
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications
• Fluency written and oral English, Kurdish, and Arabic.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. The competencies required for this post are Formulating Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Relating and Networking, Deciding and Initiating Action, and Applying Technical Expertise. 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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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