TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT – Child Protection Officer (Gender Based Violence and Prevention), P-2,Lilongwe, Malawi (Open to non-Malawian nationals only)#572059

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the incumbent will be responsible for the coordination, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the child protection component of the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) Programme. The overall purpose of the job is to support the Government of Malawi in empowering Malawi’s poorest and most vulnerable girls and women and linking them to the much needed community protection services.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

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For every child, Protection 

The UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2024-2028) works through a One-UN approach based on the new United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDF) Strategic Priorities. 2024-2028). All four strategic priorities of the UNSCDF 2024-2028 hold significance to UNICEF and the priorities identified for children: i) Economic Development, ii) Governance, iii) Human Capital Development, and iv) Climate Change. UNICEF co-leads the further elaboration and results in developing the Human Capital Development strategic priority. The intent of the UNICEF CPD 2024-2028 is fully aligned with these priorities, which are also directly linked to the pillars of Malawi Vision 2063, and the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP, 2030). To this extent, UNICEF’s strategy for the CPD includes Child Survival and Development (Health, Nutrition and WASH), Education, Learning and Child Protection, Social Policy (Social Protection and Public Finance for Children), Gender Equality, Inclusion and Innovation within a robust evidence-informed environment. These are focus areas under the Human Capital Development Enabler of the MIP (2030). The Country Programme envisages the progressive fulfilment of the rights to survival, development, education, protection and participation of all children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable and those at risk of being left behind, in an inclusive, resilient and protective environment. Besides Malawi’s 2063 vision and 2021–2030 implementation plan (MIP), the African Union’s Agenda 2063; UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, Gender Action Plan III, Innovation Strategy; and the SDGs. The country programme includes child survival and development, learning, skills development and protection, and social policy. All components are supported by the programme and operational effectiveness and efficiency imperatives. Risk-informed programming across the humanitarian and development nexus in all three outcome areas will strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance climate adaptation/mitigation and response, and increase the resilience capacity of institutions, communities and young people. Programming aligns with UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee’s Transformative Agenda.

The Child Protection section partners with the Government of Malawi, UN agencies, Civil Society organisations and communities to prevent all forms of violence against children and women and support the most vulnerable with quality protection services and shifting social norms. In this role as Child Protection Officer (Gender Based Violence and Prevention), you will support the implementation of the child protection component of the Social Protection for Gender Empowerment and Resilience (SP-GEAR) Programme and the coordination of its specific objective of enhancing access to complimentary social services by women and girls from vulnerable households.

How can you make a difference? 

The Malawi Country Office offers an exciting and rewarding career opportunity for you to join our dynamic Child Protection team where you will be responsible for the coordination, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the child protection component of the SP-GEAR Programme. The overall purpose of the job is to support the Government of Malawi in empowering Malawi’s poorest and most vulnerable girls and women and linking them to the much needed community protection services.

As Child Protection Officer (GBV and Prevention) you will report to and be under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Child Protection.

This position therefore offers a unique opportunity for a qualified, motivated and committed individual to make a significant impact on children’s wellbeing and protection outcomes. By excelling in this role, you will contribute to the overall achievement of transformative results for children by delivering on the following key responsibility areas, but not limited to:

Lead the Child Protection task team and ensure linkage between the Child Protection, Social Protection, Education, ECD and SBC components of SP-GEA by providing technical support on SP-GEAR programming internally and to district council working groups.

You are encouraged to download the  TOR TA P2 Child Protection Officer (GBV and Prevention) 22 May 2024 signed by DR P.pdf in order to view the full role and its requirements.

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education: 

• University degree (equivalent to a Bachelor’s) ) from an accredited Educational institution in one of the following fields is required: International development, social science, human rights, psychology, or another relevant field.

Work Experience:

• At least 2 years of proven relevant work experience in coordination of gender-based violence programmes involving various stakeholders is required.
• Experience in Child Protection Programming.
• Sound experience in facilitation of multi-stakeholder meetings and/or workshops is required.
• Work experience in a developing country is considered an asset.
• Experience working with UN is considered an asset.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment is considered an asset.

Expected technical knowledge and skills:

• Professional expertise in gender empowerment with a special focus on protection, prevention and ending Violence Against Women and Girls and promoting Sexual Reproductive Health is required.
• Strong analytical and report writing skills are required.
• Strong communication and teamwork competencies are required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required, both strong written and verbal skills

The following desirable:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency 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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

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 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:

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 people with disabilities 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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

To effectively contribute to the delivery of results for the children of Malawi, the UNICEF Malawi Country Office operates within a dynamic and results-oriented setting. We foster an environment characterized by creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, a commitment to professional growth, and a safe workspace. Consequently, we are actively searching for individuals who are driven to enact tangible change and dedicated to serving Malawi’s children with resourcefulness, resilience, agility, and a commitment to professional excellence.