Associate Child Protection Officer

Volunteering Crisis & Emergency Response Security

Overview

Support child protection initiatives for Rohingya refugees.

You have:

• Minimum 3 years of work experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity
• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures
• Knowledge of UNHCR’s Framework for the Protection of Children and Education and SGBV strategies
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills
• Ability to manage information, in a confidential manner
• Ability to conduct individual and group assessments and to identify protection risks
• Knowledge of gender issues and how to apply rights and community based approach

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

As of April 2025, Bangladesh hosts more than 1 million Rohingya refugees, 52% of whom are female, and 51% of whom are under the age of 18. Most refugees live in 33 extremely congested camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar, and 37,028reside on Bhasan Char, an island in the Bay of Bengal, 60 km from the Bangladesh mainland. August 2024 marked seven years since the Rohingya crisis when more than 700,000 Rohingya women, men, and children fled Myanmar to Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands who sought and found refuge in the country in previous years. Yet, comprehensive solutions for Rohingya refugees remain elusive. While voluntary repatriation constitutes the main durable solution, a return in significant numbers in the immediate future is highly unlikely due to the ongoing developments following the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 and the resurgence end 2023 of active armed conflict in Rakhine State where the million Rohingya refugees come from. Conditions in Myanmar are not presently considered conducive for the safe, voluntary, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.

The Government of Bangladesh refers to Rohingya refugees as 'Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals. The presence of more the one million refugees has had important impacts on local communities, service delivery, the economy and the environment of the hosting communities. Restrictions on movement, inadequate access to formal education and livelihoods as well as scarcity of land results in overcrowded sites favors range of child protection risks, gender-based violence and accentuates the vulnerabilities of persons with specific needs. Community based approach is key for community empowerment, and protection mainstreaming.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

Individual child protection case work according to best interests procedures; conducting best interests assessments (BIA), best interests determinations (BID) and family tracing/reunification in accordance with relevant UNHCR protection standards and IASC guidance, ensuring appropriate case tracking and follow-up of child protection cases.

Support staff and partners in the strengthening of a functioning Best Interests system: identification, assessment, referral, response and assistance, monitoring and documenting of cases of children at risk.

Support the organization of and trainings in Best Interests Procedures and Child Protection.

Contribute to effective child protection reporting and information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.

Contribute to the systematic application of participatory, community and rights-based approaches, ensuring that children, adolescents and youth are included (as appropriate) in participatory assessments and community-based protection initiatives.

Contribute to capacity-building initiatives for communities, including children, adolescents and youth to assert their rights and to strengthen community-based child protection initiatives.

Participate in the updating, implementation and monitoring of child protection related SOPs.

Support the implementation of the child protection aspects of the Country Protection Strategy and programming in relation to individual case management but also participatory evaluations, setting up of alternative care arrangements, strengthening of child protection mechanisms and establishment of youth programming.

Support other child protection activities and initiatives in coordination with colleagues in the operation.

Contribute to the implementation of UNHCR framework for the protection of children, and specifically the child protection strategy in the Country.

Specifics to sub/field offices work if support is needed and requested:

Support/establish working BID panel and best interests system in close collaboration with staff and partners.

Follow-up and support on child protection cases and BID/BIA case management, including referrals for family tracing and response to specific needs.

In collaboration with colleagues, promote and find durable solutions for children (and their families).

Support participatory, AGD-sensitive analysis to form the essential basis for UNHCR’s work.

Intervene with authorities on child protection issues.

Contribute to national/sub-national (child) protection (including sectoral/cluster) strategies, project submissions and budgets.

Support other Child Protection related activities.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

• Cases are referred for resettlement in accordance with existing SOPs;

• Timely identification, treatment, response and monitoring of child protection cases implementing best interests procedures;

• Timely treatment and management of BID cases, including those requested by the Re-settlement Unit;

• Staff and partners empowered and trained in best interests procedures;

• Best interests procedure implemented;

• Child protection strategy rolled out;

• Data management and reporting for child protection accurate and updated;

• Child protection related SOPs updated and implemented;

• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment;

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priori-ties and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse back-grounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, re-mote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Minimum 3 years of work experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity, individual case work (managing interviews, conducting assessments, counselling, case advocacy and management, identifying solutions, etc.). International experience required.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures; • Knowledge / awareness of UNHCR’s Framework for the Protection of Children and Education and SGBV strategies; • Knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches; • Knowledge / awareness of cross cultural issues, especially in the context of child protection; • Knowledge / awareness of gender issues and how to apply rights and community based approach to identify and respond to specific needs; • Previous experience in child protection is a great advantage; • Previous experience in working with communities; • Skills in conducting trainings and exercises with large groups of people (e.g. trainings, participatory evaluations); • Excellent drafting and analytical skills; • Excellent interviewing and counselling skills; • Ability to manage information, in a confidential manner, and to use database management systems; • Ability to conduct individual and group assessments and to identify protection risks, to liaise with partners and proactively find solutions. • Other

Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

Cox's Bazar is a category D family duty station. Educational facilities are limited, and international schools from primary to secondary school are currently available in Dhaka only. Health services are limited in Cox's Bazar, but more reliable facilities are available in Dhaka. Malaria and dengue risks exist throughout the year. Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and diphtheria are recommended.

Cox's Bazar is a major tourist destination in Bangladesh, primarily due to its location on the Bay of Bengal and its extensive coastline. Infrastructure and shopping options in Cox's Bazar, a small city of just 250,000 people, are very basic. International staff reside in privately rented apartments or serviced apartments, all of which provide basic standards.

The Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle in Cox's Bazar is 8 weeks. The current R&R location is Bangkok. Cox`s Bazar is connected by several daily flights to Dhaka, albeit only during day-light hours. Banks/ATM machines are available in Cox's Bazar and credit/debit cards are accepted. Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks and exchange houses.

Staff who intend to be joined by family members, in particular young children, should contact HR for more information, as educational and medical facilities are not adequate.

The security level system in Bangladesh is level 3 moderate. Although security is generally acceptable, given the current situation in the area, no movement on highways at night is al-lowed. Walking and jogging in the streets as earmarked is permitted. Crowded local markets should be avoided. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Bangladesh is a unique country and Cox’s Bazar is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It pro-vides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org