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Child Protection Specialist (Emergencies), P4

Location information: West and Central Africa region

Purpose of the Position
Under the general supervision of the Regional Chief Child Protection, and in close collaboration with the Regional Chief Emergency you will support WCARO countries to plan and implement child protection in emergencies responses, with particular focus on strengthening the child protection capacities of UNICEF and partners at country level, support the preparation of contingency plans and fulfilment of UNICEF global commitments such as child protection Core Commitments for Children (CCCs) and cluster leadership in child protection.

Key Expected Results
1. You will provide technical support, advice and quality assurance to West and Central Africa country offices affected by emergencies on: the child protection emergency programme response, including the relief and rehabilitation of children and women affected by armed conflicts, tracing and reunification of families, gender based violence, psychosocial support, mine risk education, cluster coordination and early recovery and transition programming (systems building in emergency settings). Provide relevant surge capacity support.

2. You will ensure country offices have appropriate expertise and capacity in relation to child protection in emergencies as defined in the CCCs. Provide timely technical review of country programme related documents and monitor the implementation of follow-up mechanisms.

3. You will support and organize sub-regional initiatives related to children affected by emergencies and armed conflicts. Support the development of sub-regional responses with the aim of assisting countries to develop coordinated responses to cross-border issues around child protection in emergencies, with a specific focus on emergency preparedness, response and advocacy.

4. In collaboration with the Regional Chief Child Protection and the Regional Chief Monitoring and Evaluation, you will support the development of appropriate information management systems: to improve the availability of disaggregated data on the situation of children affected by emergencies (including natural disasters); to establish interagency databases to support case management and track CPIE trends and monitoring and reporting of child rights violations under SC Resolution 1612. When possible, information management systems should be developed as part of an early recovery strategy and to support longer term data management needs.

5. You will strengthen and assure the quality of child protection emergency preparedness, contingency and response plans. In close collaboration with the HQ Child Protection in Emergencies cluster and the WCARO Emergency team, support country offices in developing the child protection component of their contingency plans for operational and programmatic response. These plans should include specific recommendations on actions to be taken by Country Offices, the Regional Office and Headquarters.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field.

Eight years professional experience with progressively greater management and advisory responsibilities, in social planning, research, emergency and rehabilitation programmes at national and international levels. Significant experience in analysis and advice on the needs of children affected by conflicts. Direct field experience in planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating child protection in emergencies (conflicts and natural disasters) programmes. Experiences in coordinating protection clusters and monitoring of grave child rights violations are a distinct advantage. Relevant UN or international NGO experience is an asset.

• Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
• Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following: Strengthening child protection systems and partner capacity for protecting children against violence; in emergencies; in respect of harmful traditional practices; in improving justice for children and in strengthening social welfare systems. Use of data and indicators in child protection.

Fluency in English and another UN language.

Competencies of Successful Candidate
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.

Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.

Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.

Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.

Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.

Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

Remarks
Re-advertisement. Candidates who had applied previously will be considered and need not re-apply.


UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply
Apply through the UNICEF e-recruitment system
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php