Senior Child Protection Associate G7, TA

This position is open to applications from Group 1, Group 2 and all external candidates, provided that
requirements regarding professional experience, academic qualifications, language, etc. are fulfilled.

TO THE ATTENTION OF EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
External candidates must be legally present in Guatemala at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Non-Guatemalan citizens are required to submit a valid Guatemalan residence permit and valid working
permit to be considered.

Your application will NOT be considered if;
-The application form is not duly filled.
-The questionnaire at the end of the application form is not answered (for external candidates) Senior Child Protection Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

UNHCR is committed to the effective protection to children of concern, with children representing more than half of the persons falling under its mandate. UNHCR adopts a rights and community-based approach to address the protection needs of children, with a strong emphasis on inclusion within national child protection, child friendly procedures and working with other sectors to protect children including education.  Child protection is recognized as global organizational priority for UNHCR. Dedicated child protection 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 Senior Child Protection Associate is a member of the protection team in an Office. S/he may report to a\ (Child) Protection Officer, or the Head of Field-Office/Unit and/or Head of Sub-Office. The incumbent monitors child protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and programme staff.   The Senior Child Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (children, women, marginalized groups) and is responsible for implementation of Best Interests Procedures for children at risk in their area of responsibility, under the guidance of the supervisor.  S/he may also supervise staff undertaking Best Interests Procedures.  S/he identifies opportunities to mainstream Child Protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor.  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.  To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities and protection and assistance partners.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

Needs identification, Strategy and Advocacy
- Support in the formulation of the child protection key considerations in multi-sectoral and protection specific assessments and participate in the assessment teams.
- Participate in the formulation of child protection strategy as part of the operation¿s broader Protection and Solutions Strategy, which incorporates age, gender and diversity analysis, identifies the protection needs and capacities of children of concern and community and reflects the UNHCR's policies, standards and priorities, including the Framework for the Protection of Children.
- Ensure compliance with UNHCR's child protection policy, priorities and commitments, as well as other aligned policies on age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP), GBV, gender equality, disability and youth empowerment.
- Support identification of, and the implementation of context-appropriate approaches for a meaningful participation of children, adolescents and youth in the development and implementation of strategies that address key child protection priorities.
- Support the analysis of the national systems and ensure that child protection programmes complement national child protection systems and work towards the inclusion of children of concern into national child protection laws, policies and services.
- Provide input to Protection Unit and undertake advocacy to address key child protection concerns under the guidance of the supervisor.

Programme planning and implementation
- Support development and implementation of child protection programmes, including multi-sectoral activities, and monitoring framework based on identified needs and in line with Child Protection Strategy and UNHCR's global, regional and national policies and standards, including the Framework for the Protection of Children and the Best Interests Procedure.
- Conduct Best Interest Procedures for individual children at heightened risks, including BIA, case conferences and BID.
- Oversee Best Interests Procedures for children at risk, including Best Interests Determination Panels and supervision of staff undertaking Best Interests Procedures.
- Implement and monitor the application of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for child protection.
- Provide support to UNHCR and partners¿ case workers to ensure that child protection case files are stored and regularly updated in accordance with UNHCR's Policy and procedure as well as with data sharing protocols.
- Engage children, youth and communities in the implementation of child protection activities, provide information to children, youth and communities about child protection services and monitor and report on needs and issues to inform the Operations Response.
- Support partners and communities in strengthening/ establishing community-based child protection programming.
- Support partners and communities in ensuring quality alternative care arrangements for unaccompanied and separated children as referral to family tracing services.
- Monitor and support appropriate care arrangements for unaccompanied and separated children and referral of children to ICRC or other relevant partners for establishment of family linkages.
- Enforce compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of child protection services.
- Provide functional guidance to UNHCR and partner staff involved in child protection activities.
- Regularly report on emerging protection issues and concerns voiced by children, youth and communities and assist in drafting reports, compiling and preparing data for the protection unit/section.

Partnership, coordination and capacity building
- Assist the Child Protection interagency coordination and information management activities as needed.
- Represent UNHCR in interagency fora related to child protection.
- Assist in strengthening strategic and innovative partnerships for Child Protection with community-based, local, national, and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability.
- Provide technical support and monitoring to child protection partners.
- Assist in carrying out learning needs assessment and analysis of findings.
- Contribute to development/ adaption of training packages and co-facilitate training for the UNHCR and partners staff, refugee community.
- Identify and document lessons learnt and good practices.

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Law;
Political Science;
Law;
Social Sciences;
Human Rights;
Community Dvpt/Social Work;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
4 years of previous work experience relevant to the function of child protection in a local context and having experience in the field of child protection prevention and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian and development issues. Skills and experience in interviewing and working with children and families including supervision of child protection case management.
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR child protection policies and tools including the UNHCR Best Interests Procedures Guidelines, and interagency child protection Minimum Standards, Guiding Principles and GBV case management standards. Knowledge of local child protection laws, policies and services. Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engage with and mobilize communities. Understanding of displacement and protection issues including GBV, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy. Completed Protection Learning Programme. Experience working with marginalized groups. Knowledge of protection information management tools, including but not limited to proGres and/or CPIMS.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
PR-Child Protection Case Management and Best Interests Procedures
PR-Child Protection Information Management System
PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.




All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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. IMPORTANT: Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

We only accept applications submitted through the MSRP portal. No late applications will be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and might be requested to sit for a test. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants to apply. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities.

UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms gender, disability, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees). In case of any difficulties regarding the application process, please contact through email: guaguvacancies@unhcr.org Temporary appointment initially for 6-months (01/07 - 31/12 2022) The closing date for submission of applications is friday 3/6/2022 (Midnight Geneva time)