Child Protection Officers at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

How can you make a difference?

Below is a list of Key functions & accountabilities expected of this role: 

Support to programme development and planning

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for developing, designing and managing CAAC and MRM components of child protection related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (e.g., social, economic, political, health) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
• Contribute to developing and establishing t of CAAC 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 documentation, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of results.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and MRM/CAAC partners to discuss implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or 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 MRM/CAAC 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 MRM/CAAC 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 MRM/CAAC reports for management, donors and partners to inform them  of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation of MRM

• Prepare and timely provide inputs to the Global Horizontal Notes (GHN) and country annual report on CAAC in Nigeria submitted to the Office of the SRSG on CAAC through the  CTFMR

• Ensure capacity-building of identified partners and UNICEF MRM team to increase coverage, participants, and reported cases of grave child rights violations and to strengthen the analysis of trends and response to children’s victims by technical supervision, support, mentoring and coaching, as needed.
• Ensure the link between monitoring & reporting activities and programmatic response to children’s victims of violations by liaising with protection and child protection working groups for appropriate referral of cases.
• Provide inputs to UNICEF strategic sectoral programmatic documents and proposals and reports to donors related to MRM.
• Manage the partnership and stakeholders undertaking direct monitoring of MRM.
• On a monthly basis - with the support of the MRM Information Management Officer - all  MRM cases documented by relevant CTFMR agencies are compiled, reviewed (ensuring the credibility, reliability and verification of all cases), finalized and uploaded onto the MRM Database. This includes following up with partners and facilitators on cases pending verification.
• Prepare for the high-level meetings including briefings and trend analysis for the Group of Friends of CAAC and the Co-Chairs of the CTFMR.
• Provide technical and coordination support during the State based MRM Technical Working Group 

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts, national stakeholders, donors, academia and, where necessary, parties to the conflict on issues touching on grave child rights violations- through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication, and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
• Prepare communication and information materials for Country Office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fundraising for child protection programmes and emergency interventions.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support implementing and delivering concrete and sustainable programme results.

• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results in child protection and related programmes/projects.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection-related areas is required.
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts, particularly protracted humanitarian contexts.
• Relevant experience in programme development in child protection-related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Experience in a development context is an added advantage.
• Fluency in English is required. Has a basic knowledge and can speak one or two of the local languages common to the Northeast, Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

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How can you make a difference?

Below is a list of Key functions & accountabilities expected of this role: 

Support to programme development and planning

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design and management of child protection GBViE related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (e.g. economic, social, health) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
•  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 especially for the GBViE response.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of the GBViE 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 GBViE programme documentations, materials and data to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Monitor the implementation of GBViE activities in Women’s and Girls’ Friendly Spaces, Virtual Safe Spaces, Mobile Health and Nutrition teams to ensure minimum standards are in place and adhere to.
• Build the capacity of GBV specialized actors to provide GBV responses, enhance GBV prevention and implementation of GBV mitigation measures in programs
• Work with other sectors to strengthen the capacities of frontline workers on integration of GBV risk mitigations and handling disclosures making safe referrals for required services
• 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.
• Engage the service of a consultant to strengthen the legal and justice system to be responsive to GBViE issues affecting girls and women.
• Support the strengthening of SEA community based compliant and reporting mechanism (CBCRM) with special attention to child friendly (CBCRM) in camps, communities, schools, and hospitals supported by UNICEF.

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.
• Consistently review the GBV referral pathways in UNICEF supported programme sites including schools and ensure the pathways and service directories are in use to provide professional assistance to GBV/SEA survivors aligned to IASC GBV guidelines and UN Victim Assistance framework
• Contribute to the development of new programme cooperation agreements with international and national NGOs for the reintegration of girls and women affected by conflict-related sexual violence and for GBV prevention and response programming in close collaboration with the Information Management Specialist and Officers, ensure robust data collection to capture the number of beneficiaries reached by the programme and the impact of the programme, including management of the evaluation of the programme.
• Support the CP Specialist to implement the GBV/reintegration programme, including ensuring timely implementation of activities, timely reporting to the donors, compliance with visibility requirements and compliance with internal UNICEF procedures and processes.
• Conduct and facilitate structured GBV safety audits and risk assessments in UNICEF programme locations and schools, health and WASH facilities and work with partners and communities to address identified concerns
• Serve as the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) focal point for the Maiduguri Field Office (MFO)

Networking and partnership building

• Support the GBV and CP AoR in country coordination teams, in setting up of referral systems to facilitate safe referral of GBV Survivors with a focus on children and adolescents to appropriate, quality multi-sectoral services.
• 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 on operational planning
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Draft communication and information materials on GBViE for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programmes.
• Regularly represent UNICEF in coordination forums including GBV Sector and provide updates on UNICEF's response and response plan.
• Identify key capacity gaps in implementing GBV integration within UNICEF and partners including UNICEF led clusters and sub-cluster.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned on GBViE 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 one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• Minimum of 2 years of progressive professional experience implementing Child Protection and GBV programmes in emergencies.
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions, including in protracted conflict environments
• Experience working with community structures and/or religious groups and leaders at the grass root level on prevention and response to GBV, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence
• Proven experience in developing proposals and budgets for resource mobilization, partnership management and writing donor reports
• Fluency in English is required. Has a basic knowledge and can speak one or two of the local languages common to the Northeast, Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.