The Child Protection Specialist – Team Leader for Darfur reports to the Western Area Team Leader, covering the five Darfur States, with dotted lines to Chief, Child Protection for general guidance and direction. The Child Protection Specialist contributes to the achievement of child protection results across the Darfur region, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework. The Child Protection Specialist – Team Leader is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of child protection programs/projects in the Western Area (five Darfur States) from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable contributions to national efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well-being, as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.

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For every child, protection.

The purpose of this assignment is to ensure that effective monitoring, reporting and response mechanisms of grave violations of children’s rights are in place in Southern Area

and support to the overall child protection humanitarian response, so that children and adolescents are protected from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and harmful practices: 1) scale up Monitoring and reporting on grave violations; 2) prevent and address Child recruitment and use by armed actors, as well as illegal and arbitrary detention and criminal processing of conflict-affected children; 3) Prevent and address the impact of the use of landmines and other indiscriminate or illicit weapons by state and non-state actors; 4) Mitigate, prevent and Respond to GBV; 5) Engage with communities for behavior and social change 6)Identify and address MHPSS needs of children,  adolescents, and caregivers through coordinated multisectoral and community based MHPSS services

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job:

The Child Protection Specialist – Team Leader for Darfur reports to the Western Area Team Leader, covering the five Darfur States, with dotted lines to Chief, Child Protection for general guidance and direction. The Child Protection Specialist contributes to the achievement of child protection results across the Darfur region, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework. The Child Protection Specialist – Team Leader is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of child protection programs/projects in the Western Area (five Darfur States) from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable contributions to national efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well-being, as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.

III. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks Child Protection Specialist Level 4 – Team Leader Darfur_reviewed HR.doc

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to programme/project development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
6. Managerial leadership

1. Support to programme/project development and planning
 Update the situation analysis to ensure that current and comprehensive evidence-based data on child protection issues in Darfur states is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection, and to set programme priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
 Provide technical leadership and operational support to UNICEF partners in the design, planning and development of CAAC and GBViE programming to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness.
 Supervise the development of child protection programmes/projects in Darfur States.
 Ensure GBViE, CAAC and CPiE interventions are in line with UNICEF global child protection strategy and include risk mitigation, prevention and response.
 Work with UNICEF Child Protection Programme Team, as well as other programmatic sections (such as WASH, Health, Education, Nutrition, etc.) to ensure GBV risk mitigation, prevention and response is adequately integrated into programmes.
 Undertake safety audits in affected communities to identify GBV risks and design appropriate actions to address these risks.
2. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results.
 Plan and collaborate on monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in child protection programmes in Darfur States.
 Ensure the implementation of mandated tasks as per relevant Security Council resolutions (SCRs) on children and armed conflict, and, where relevant, the conclusions of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.

 In coordination with the chief of section, the RC/HC and the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting, engage in dialogue with State and non-State parties to the conflict and perpetrators of grave violations against children.

 Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action and interventions to achieve results.

 Undertake field visits and/or joint assessment missions, as directed, and ensure up-to-date information sharing on substantive matters related to the rights of the child. Participate as needed in field missions to verify allegations of grave child rights violations and in verification exercise of children associated with armed groups in Darfur.

 Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths, and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.

 Monitor programmes/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems. Take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.

 Plan, approve, monitor, certify, and control the use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.

 In coordination with the national scope team, prepare programme/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

 Provide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on strategies and best practices to influence approaches/policies, support social/economic/political/legal development planning & implementation, and to support delivery of results on CAAC/MRM/GBViE and other relevant child protection areas.
 Liaise with national authorities, civil society, UN actors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the host government, and relevant coordination mechanisms in ensuring adequate responses to violations committed against children.
 Ensure that the Western Area Team Leader is appraised of the full array of child rights and protection issues and advises on ways and strategies to address them.
 Provide technical advice to the Chief, Child Protection, on the MRM in order to support UNICEF’s co-lead role of the CTFMR.
 Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for combating grave child rights violations and gender-based violence by advising on and advocating strategies and approaches to promote and catalyze social changes for a protective environment for children.
 Advise and support the chief of section and Area Team Leader in advocating with appropriate authorities in Darfur region as well as other parties to the conflict to ensure adequate responses to violations committed against children.
 Lead in Western Area discussions on child protection emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate responses are in place to meet onset of emergencies.

4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/state governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results to protect children in situations of armed conflict.
• Work collaboratively with other UN agencies to ensure that the rights and protection of children are on the agendas of all relevant conflict resolution and peacebuilding entities, UN coordination mechanisms, international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the international donor community.
• Work collaboratively with Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) to collect and verify reliable, accurate and timely data on the six grave violations identified by the UN Security Council and other violations committed against children and, where necessary, lead and conduct investigations on these violations.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
 Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable child protection programme/project initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.

• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce, and implement best and cutting-edge practices on child protection management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
• Organize, plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on child protection and related programmes/projects.
• Provide training to the relevant actors on monitoring and reporting of grave child rights violations and relevant Security Council resolutions.

6. Managerial leadership

 In line with HAC and humanitarian response plan, coordinate the development of the Western Area annual work plan with the Darfur-area child protection team; set priorities/targets and performance measurements. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
 Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the team.
 Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

IV. Impact of Results

The achievement of sustainable results contributes to achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence and ensures their survival, development and well being in society. Child Protection in Emergecny programming in Western Area is informed by increased knowledge and understanding of the impact of conflict and violence on children. Achievements 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, and more specifically Darfur states. Additionally, accurate, timely, objective, and reliable data on grave child rights violations and other protection concerns in Darfur states is available in order to support advocacy and response efforts.

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.

Experience: A minimum of eight years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas, at the international level, is required.

Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Background/familiarity with emergency and advanced knowledge of the MRM/CAAC.

Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles, and methods in child protection in emergencies, related to the MRM and CAAFAG programming, and in the use of data and indicators in child protection/CAAC.

Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women.

Strong technical expertise on Child Protection in Emergency and CCCs for children in humanitarian situation, including, but not limited to: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS: CCC3), unaccompanied and separated children (UASC: CCC4), monitoring and reporting on grave violations (CCC5), children associated with armed forces and groups and detention of children in the context of armed conflict (CCC6), mine action and weapons (CCC7); and gender-based violence (CCC8). 

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

 ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities)

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• 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)

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children’s data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

Child safeguarding involves proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel or UNICEF associates. The risks may include those associated with: physical violence (including corporal punishment); sexual violence, exploitation or abuse; emotional and verbal abuse; economic exploitation; failure to provide for physical or psychological safety; neglect of physical, emotional or psychological needs; harmful cultural practices; and privacy violations.

The incumbent to this role is expected to have special responsibilities in managing child safeguarding  risks and in taking appropriate measures to prevent any harm to children. The role has the potential to particularly affect children, (i) because the incumbent will be working closely with children; (ii) with their data; (iii) because the children’s background or situation make them vulnerable; or (iv) the role may entail responsibilities in reporting and responding to child safeguarding concerns. The position is considered as an “elevated risk role” and the appointee will be subject to a more rigorous vetting and training.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

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

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.