Child Protection Officer (MRM), P2, Damascus, Syria #110668

The position is based in the UNICEF Syria Country Office in Damascus and falls under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (MRM), with oversight from the Chief Child Protection in the Syria County Office. The Child Protection Officer conducts monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children in Syria on behalf of the Syria country office and as part of the sub-regional MRM4Syria set-up, to ensure compliance of the Syria country office’s obligations and commitments in relation to the SCR 1612 (2005) children and armed conflict mandate.

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, Child Protection

Find out how UNICEF programmes drives change for children and young people every day, in Syria by visiting this: www.unicef.org/syria

How can you make a difference?

The position is based in the UNICEF Syria Country Office in Damascus and falls under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (MRM), with oversight from the Chief Child Protection in the Syria County Office. The Child Protection Officer conducts monitoring and reporting of grave violations against children in Syria on behalf of the Syria country office and as part of the sub-regional MRM4Syria set-up, to ensure compliance of the Syria country office’s obligations and commitments in relation to the SCR 1612 (2005) children and armed conflict mandate.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Gather MRM data through conducting daily documentation and verification of incidents of grave violations against children in Syria, through remote interviewing of and following up on sources across.
• Record on an ongoing basis verified and unverified cases of grave violations against children in Syria into the Syria country office IMS for monthly submission to the MRM4Syria regional coordinator and provide feedback and more information on cases as required as part of the further vetting process.
• Support to prepare and timely provide Syria country office inputs into quarterly reports (GHN), the SG country report on CAAC in Syria and the SG annual report, as part of the MRM4Syria sub-regional set-up, for submission to the Office of the SRSG-CAAC, within the framework of the sub-regional reporting arrangements and the global MRM standards.
• Support to provide inputs to UNICEF strategic sectoral programmatic documents and proposals and reports to donors related to the MRM. Provide technical and operational support to colleagues and partners to ensure smooth implementation of the Child Protection Programme in Syria.
• Participate in strategic and programmatic discussions on the planning, implementation and monitoring of the child protection programme in Syria; manage the partnership with organizations supporting the MRM; and undertake any other relevant tasks as requested.
• Support the Syria country office CP Specialist (MRM) at the country level and the Syria sub-regional team, as needs develop, to ensure accurate and consistent inputting of data into the Syria MRM-IMS. Act as the overall Syria MRM information management focal point, compiling and vetting all cases and undertaking the first level of analysis.
• Perform periodic summary analysis and produce reports, as required and requested, in formats accessible for various audiences, as needed, including for example graphs, charts etc demonstrating patterns, trends, numbers, etc.
• Support UNICEF’s dialogue efforts with parties to the conflict, influencers, Member States, the Syria CAAC group of friends and other platforms as needed and prepare related briefing notes and talking points to UNICEF leadership as requested.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of the work.
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Supervisor. 

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to monitor and report on grave violations against children in Syria contributes to the evidence base needed to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence, through advocacy, dialogue and response. Success in child protection programs and projects in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide program services for children affected by the conflict.

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

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international relations, human rights, humanitarian affairs, humanities or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in humanitarian affairs, human rights, child protection, or other related area is required.
• Experience and prior knowledge of the children and armed conflict agenda and the implementation of an MRM on the ground is a requirement.
• Experience in the Middle East is an advantage.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies 

• Analyzing (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Learning and researching (2)
• Planning and organizing (2)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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. For this position, suitable women candidates from industrial countries will receive preferential consideration and selection, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements stated above.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates)

Fixed Term Appointment for Two Years