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For every child, Protection

South Sudan has emerged following decades of war and conflict. Soon after independence it fell back into a bloody and fractious civil war that has scarred the nation and left a weak and fragile protective environment. As in all wars, violence is the fundamental mechanism by which power is exercised. In South Sudan violence, or the threat of violence, remains ever present in the home, in the community, at schools, on the street, and in the instruments of government. The social norms and protective strategies that people have relied upon for survival through half a century of armed conflict remain dominant. Within this context, there is a youth bulge with 57% of the population under the age of 18, most of whom have lived through multiple traumatic events and been engaged in conflict themselves.

The perpetuation of grave child rights violations, including the abduction, murder and rape of women and children by young men is a major concern. The proliferation of armed gangs is fueling instability and ethnic conflict that threatens to derail developments towards peace and stability. Adolescent boys and girls grow up in a society that is devoid of economic opportunities, where violent and abusive gender behaviors are normalized (over 50% of women are married before 18) and conflicts are resolved through violence.

Since 2023, UNICEF Child Protection in South Sudan has been piloting and researching interventions aimed at improving wellbeing and resilience amongst conflict affected youth. One intervention introduces a five-pillar coaching methodology that delivers structured mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions. Founded on the underlying reality that mental health support to trauma affected youth is complex and relies upon caring/loving and professional support between the survivor of violence and the practitioner/social worker/facilitator, the five-pillar methodology has isolated vital components which are strengthened through training, mentoring and coaching sessions.

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF POST

Under the overall supervision of Chief of Child Protection (P5), and working closely with the Child Protection Manager (P4), the Youth and Adolescents Child Protection Specialist (P3) will design and oversee the expansion of the youth and adolescents reintegration and well-being (MHPSS) sports- and arts-based programme, including youth oriented Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and entrepreneurship targeting adolescents and youth living dangerous lives in South Sudan (i.e., Children formerly associated with armed forces and groups, street children, children in conflict with the law, children in gang groups, child survivors of rape and sexual violence and other forms of GBV). The Child Protection Specialist will support various key functions and accountabilities, including programme design and proposal development to aid Child Protection resource mobilization. They will coordinate, network, and build partnerships with youth-oriented partners and working groups. Additionally, they will liaise with UN headquarters and regional offices to introduce global UNICEF innovations such as Upshift, Generation Unlimited, the CAAFAG reintegration toolkit, Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) etc. Their role will also encompass innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building, particularly in maintaining and educating the office on global best practices and state-of-the-art programming for youth living dangerous lives, with a focus on MHPSS. The Specialist will monitor and deliver results towards strengthening capacity to enhance the well-being of youth and adolescents through technical expertise, improved coordination, communication, and information-sharing.

The Child Protection Specialist will work directly with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and closely collaborate with the two Child Protection Specialists responsible for CPiE, social workforce strengthening, access to justice, and diversion programming. Additionally, the Specialist will work across sectors, particularly education and nutrition. The proposed assignment is for period of one year with possibility of extension based on the need of the UNICEF South Sudan Country Office and will be based in Juba with regular visits to field offices and partners across the country.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
1. Provide technical support to expand, strengthen and integrate the UNICEF South Sudan Youth and Adolescents and MHPSS programming
• In collaboration with the Child Protection Manager (P4) and Child Protection section, provide technical support and guidance on the formulation, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of youth and adolescents programmes to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives.
• The Child Protection Specialist will expand and strengthen the development of the youth and adolescents’ well-being and reintegration strategy and programming, including through the design of integrated approaches with other sectors and the different SSCO Child Protection programme pillars;
• Ensure allocation and management of sufficient financial and human resource capacity to effectively achieve UNICEF Youth and Adolescents and MHPSS commitments.
• Scoping of existing adolescent and youth-oriented programmes in South Sudan and identification of potential partners, working groups and government/UN forums for youth.
• Scoping of potential donors and development of a resource mobilization package and presentations to support the chief, deputy representative and representative in pitching the programme to the donor community.

2. Coordination, networking and partnership building with partners and working groups
• Identify key networking, coordination and technical working groups involved in programming and advocacy to support adolescent well-being and reintegration.
• Co-chair and participate in the PSS and MHPSS technical working groups in South Sudan.
• Participate in relevant forums and support in identifying funding opportunities for youth and adolescents and MHPSS programming.
• Ensure that UNICEF SSCO perspectives are raised in national, regional and global platforms on adolescent well-being and reintegration;
• Work with the chief of Child Protection and other internal SSCO stakeholders to develop relevant policy and programmatic positions that are in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and most importantly – concepts of the ‘evolving capacities of the child’ as embedded in article 5 of the CRC.

3. Liaison with UN headquarters and regional office on the introduction of global UNICEF innovations including Upshift, Generation Unlimited, CAAFAG reintegration toolkit, Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE), and others as they become available.
• Scoping of existing methodologies and innovations on youth reintegration and MHPSS available within UNICEF and globally that could be piloted and inform programming in South Sudan.
• In collaboration with the Chief of Child Protection and Child Protection team, development of partnerships where global best practice on youth reintegration and MHPSS could be introduced into South Sudan.
• Facilitation of technical support from regional and HQ UNICEF colleagues to support capacity in South Sudan – of UNICEF Country office staff as well as partners.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building (in particular, maintaining and educating the office on global best practice and state of the art in programming for extremely vulnerable youth and adolescents and children with disabilities)
• In parallel to the introduction of innovative protection, well-being, empowerment and inclusion methodologies, develop a capacity support plan including elements of training, mentoring and coaching to ensure advancements and progress in this area will be sustained beyond the tenure of the post.
• Identification of key technical partners in the CSO and government who can be supported to provide long term capacity support in the sector.
• Development of a sustainability plan in collaboration with the local partners to ensure gains can be sustained for future generations of young people.
• Development of integration tools in order that approaches can be incorporated into the broader work of UNICEF across different sections with a priority on the Social & Behavior Change team, the communications team, education, health, WASH and nutrition.
• Develop internal mechanisms and processes to ensure that perspectives of young people are incorporated into the system wide discussions of UNICEF and inform key programmatic and policy documents including the CPD and other core documents.

5. Provide technical support to strengthen and integrate the UNICEF South Sudan Disability inclusion programming
• Provide technical support and guidance on the formulation, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of disability inclusion programmes to ensure overall efficiency and effectiveness of programme management, delivery and accomplishment of programme goals and objectives.
• The Child Protection Specialist will expand and strengthen the development of the disability strategy and programming, including through the design of integrated approaches with other sectors.
• Ensure allocation and management of sufficient financial and human resource capacity to effectively achieve UNICEF Disability inclusion commitments.
• Ensure that Disability priorities are properly included in humanitarian appeal processes and documents. Additionally, provide support for reporting and writing funding proposals as needed.
• Prepare programme reports for management as required.

Minimum qualifications and competences

Education:

• Advanced university degree or equivalent in human rights, international law, the social sciences or other relevant field related to Child Protection programming.

Work Experience:
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in child protection and MHPSS or child protection related areas at national or international levels is required.
• Experience in a humanitarian and developing country context is required. Experience working in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Direct experience technically supporting and managing youth and adolescents MHPSS/well-being and empowerment programmes for children in dangerous lives.
• Experience working on innovative youth and adolescents and MHPSS programming approaches, practices, and applications for children in dangerous lives.
• Relevant experience in programme or project development and management, including budget and partnership management, is required.

Language:

Fluency in English is required (excellent analytical, communication, writing and editorial skills in English). Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

The competencies required for this post are:

i)  Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

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

ii) The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as 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.

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Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

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