Child Protection Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

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’s 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.

Context

UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme in India seeks to promote the protection of children from violence, exploitation & abuse and ensure their participation in key decision-making processes. It supports the implementation of the Government of India’s Integrated Child Protection Scheme/Mission Vatsalya, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006), and other child welfare & protection schemes/ programmes to create a protective environment for children and adolescents. The CP Programme seeks to improve and expand services to children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with the law under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and related legislation with regard to child trafficking, child labour, child marriage and the sexual abuse of children. The programme also works towards empowerment of adolescents, building life and work skills and their healthy transition to higher education and productive work opportunities. CP programmes emphasize the prevention of abuse and exploitation of children, particularly the reduction of all forms of violence, child marriage through partnerships with education, health, communication for development, social protection and other sectors and departments. At the state level, UNICEF state offices work with state departments, CSOs, government officials and duty bearers, community members and children & adolescents to strengthen child protection services, build capacities of stakeholders and facilitate process of adolescent participation.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, Raipur Field Office, and overall guidance of Chief of Child Protection, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Support Child Protection Specialist in contributing to the implementation of the child protection work plan for the remaining current country programme and for the next Programme from 2023-2027, with special focus on the following: o Knowledge management, updating the ECM sites. o Documentation of the programme in the areas of CP systems strengthening, violence against children, child labour, child marriage, alternative care and family strengthening. o Coordination with the section UNV for sharing of information for the CP newsletter and other reports. o Donor reports and reviews. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNICEF ICO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and highquality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the UNV to programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence, and ensures their survival, development and well-being in society. Success in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed