The objective of this temporary appointment is to provide technical support and advice to the implementation, monitoring and reporting on the professionalization of the Social Service Workforce component of the Child Protection programme, including collaboration with the Social Policy programme to engage parliamentarians, government officials and district councils on the Public Finance for Children (PF4C) agenda to advocate for increased resources allocation in this sector and broadly for child protection.

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, fair chance

UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2019-2023) is aligned with the Government of Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The programme supports the Government of Malawi to meet its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights in line with international conventions and standards. The country programme is guided by the principles of children’s rights, equity, gender equality, inclusion and resilience, and supports evidence-based, integrative and innovative programming. The vision is that ‘all girls and boys in Malawi, especially the most disadvantaged and deprived, realize their rights’.  The programme focuses on: early childhood (parenting, high-impact social services, early stimulation and learning), middle childhood and adolescence (learning, multi-sectoral services, active citizenship), communities (decentralized services and systems, community ownership, social norms), programme effectiveness (monitoring, evaluation, HACT, Innovation, Social Protection and Social Policy and External Communication.  The programme is based on ‘leaving no child behind’, realizing ‘rights for all children in Malawi’.

The social service workforce (SSW) is an important element of the child protection system. It is fundamental in the provision of social services to vulnerable children and families. Thus, a functional child protection system requires a strong and well-trained social service workforce to be able to protect children from violence, abuse and exploitation, as well as support their access to justice and quality care. The evidence is clear that investment in the social welfare/ child protection workforce is crucial to reduce and address violence against children, in all its forms. UNICEF’s Strategic Plan for the period 2018-2021 identifies social service workforce strengthening as a strategic priority to protect all children from violence and exploitation to achieve the SDG goals and targets to end all violence against children. With UNICEF’s support, Malawi is in the process of developing a regulatory framework for social service workforce which includes: i) the establishment of an Association of Social Workers to advance the professional growth of the social service workers and ii) the development of a Social Workers Bill.

The objective of this temporary appointment is to provide technical support and advice to the implementation, monitoring and reporting on the professionalization of the Social Service Workforce component of the Child Protection programme, including collaboration with the Social Policy programme to engage parliamentarians, government officials and district councils  on the Public Finance for Children (PF4C) agenda to advocate for increased resources allocation in this sector and broadly for child protection. 

How can you make a difference?

The Child Protection Officer will, under the direct technical supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (System Strengthening), provide technical, operational and administrative support and coordination throughout all stages of child protection programming to facilitate the management and delivery of results, with a focus on support to the following key components:

  1. Implementation of the Action plan (2019-2023) to professionalize the social service workforce
  2.  Operationalization of the Association of Social Workers in Malawi, including the annual general assembly (AGM), registration of members, resources mobilization tools and strategy to become a self-sustaining model.
  3.  Finalization of all stages of the Social Workers Bill to be tabled in Parliament
  4. Support the PF4C agenda for Child Protection in collaboration with Social Policy, including the development of a costed minimum package for child protection services and engagement with district councils and Ministries, Departments and Agencies on budgetary allocation.
  5. In collaboration with partners, conduct a national mapping of the social service workforce in collaboration with partners.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

  1. SUPPORT TO PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING
  • Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, analysis and reporting of child protection and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting
  • Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical, programme, operational, and administrative transactions, preparing related materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of results
  • Prepare required programme documentations, materials and data to facilitate the programme review and approval process

2. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT, MONITORING AND DELIVERY OF RESULTS

  • Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
  • Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects, and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
  • Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations, procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues and findings to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
  • Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

  • Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues 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 in child protection, to support programme implementation.

4. NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING

  • Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
  • Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of child protection programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.
  • Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
  • Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programmes.

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 practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
  • Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
  • Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

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

  • A University degree in human rights, psychology, sociology, social work, international law, or another relevant
  • social science field.
  • A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in programme planning, management, and/or research within the field of child protection.
  • An additional 2 years of experience specifically in the professionalization of the social service workforce would be a strong added benefit.
  • Familiarity with UN systems and UNICEF preferred.
  • Solid communication skills, including strong written and spoken English language appropriate for diverse audiences and purposes.

Expected technical competencies:

  • Good knowledge of global developments in child protection, particularly in the area of social workforce strengthening, public finance for child protection, including the application of the equity lens and human rights perspectives to programming.
  • Good knowledge of development issues in Malawi, especially child protection related issues and UNICEF’ s work.
  • Experience working with high-level political and government stakeholders is essential.

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 functional competencies required for this post are:

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

 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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.