Child Protection Assistant

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UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Monday 27 Mar 2023 at 00:00 UTC

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This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Since 2018, UNICEF initiated its interventions in Roraima and established an Office in Boa Vista and in 2019 an outpost in Pacaraima, border with Venezuela. Building on its development programme to support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in Brazil, UNICEF’s response to the needs of children and families in the context of the migration crisis focuses on ensuring access to essential services and programmes. UNICEF aims at strengthening the capacity of actors responsible for providing quality child protection, education, health/nutrition, water and sanitation services, so that they are fully equipped to assist children on the move and their families. UNICEF advocates for the rights and voices of children and women as an integral component of the response. The Brazilian Federal Government response, known as Operação Acolhida, was launched in 2018 and is managed by Casa Civil at Federal level, with the Army providing the overall coordination of the response at field level. The operation is organized around three pillars: (i) Reception and documentation, (ii) Emergency Assistance, and (iii) Federal Voluntary Relocation programme. Through the child protection programme, psychosocial support activities reached thousands of children and specialized interventions allowed the identification and referral of hundreds of cases of violence, abuse and neglect to the Child protection statutory services. UNICEF also has a dedicated response for unaccompanied and separated children, aiming at ensuring timely case management of UASC. Moreover, the Protection is also working, together with other areas, to ensure the nexus between the humanitarian response to the migration crisis in Venezuela and the development work planned at the national level, in particular (but not limited to) by the UNICEF Seal. In the state of Roraima, there are traditionally 11 indigenous ethnics groups and approximately 58,000 indigenous people, distributed in 12 ethno-regions. Furthermore, within the migration context, Brazil continues to receive numerous migrant indigenous people from Venezuela. UNICEF defined as one of its priorities, the support to civil society organizations that were already working with indigenous peoples, understanding the need for a more specific and differentiated approach in Roraima state. With most of its territory in Roraima, the Terra Indigena Yanomami also endures a critical humanitarian crisis. The aggravated situation led the Government of Brazil to declare a Public Health Emergency on National Importance. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) appointed UNICEF as co-leader with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to support the Brazilian Government and coordinate the United Nations humanitarian response in the territory. Therefore, UNICEF joined the national Emergency Operation Center of the Ministry of Health and has representatives in the local coordination groups to strengthen coordination efforts at national and local levels, linking humanitarian agencies, funding agencies and technical experts, to ensure that humanitarian responses are synchronized, timely and meet agreed standards and benchmarks. In order to ensure effective coordination and oversight of Child Protection activities related to the migration response, HD nexus and the work with indigenous communities in Roraima, UNICEF will recruit an UN Volunteer, based within the Child Protection team, in Boa Vista.

Under the direct supervision of Boa Vista Child Protection Officer and overall guidance of Chief of Field Office in Roraima, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Support activities related to the Super Panas and Protection of Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) strategies in Boa Vista: • Ensure that all proceedings and decisions within the Unaccompanied and Separated Children Case Management Project and the Alternative Care Project are guided by the best interests of the child and conducted in close collaboration with authorities (as DPU, DPE, Polícia Federal, Conselho Tutelar, Justiça Estadual, Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome e Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania) and other stakeholders. • Assist the daily monitoring of partners in the field, identifying constraints and solutions for the improvement of services. • Support the linkage between implementing partners, contributing to strengthen shared child protection case management. • Review and follow up on Implementing Partners’ reports. Support the programmatic implementation of the Child Protection interventions in Boa Vista, considering the migration response, the Humanitarian-Development nexus and the work with indigenous communities: • Assist Boa Vista Child Protection Officer to liaise and engage with key stakeholders and partners in Roraima, especially in Boa Vista, on child protection issues and concerns. • Extend technical support in particular to the Implementing Partners and to the Child Protection local Network, and actively contribute to UNICEF initiatives and to the existing coordination mechanisms of Operação Acolhida in Boa Vista. • Support evidence generation and needs assessments related to Child Protection. • Assist in capacity building activities related to child protection and to the Humanitarian-Development nexus. • Support to the coordination activities of the Child Protection local Working Group. • Assist in the regular situation reporting of activities and in the daily monitoring of partners in the field, identifying constraints and solutions for the improvement of services. • Other support, as needed, with planning workshops and other activities. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 instance 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: • Improved information management and relationship between child protection field partners (municipal government, non-government organization, UN agencies, and others) and UNICEF in Boa Vista. • Quality material and knowledge products for internal and external audiences produced in a timely fashion, including for trainings. • Adequate support provided to Child Protection team. • Capacity development and technical assistance provided, when working with governmental or non-governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), considering also the Humanitarian-Development nexus • 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 peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • 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 priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • 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 backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

child protection, emergencies, migration and/or gender issues;; • Background and familiarity with international human rights, children`s rights and emergency response; • Fluency in Portuguese and English (verbal and written), and fluent oral Spanish; • Advanced knowledge of State and municipal governments and civil society organisations and the system of rights guarantee (SGD); • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proven ability to facilitating interagency processes to achieve a common goal; • Have affinity with or interest in child rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System; • Experience with indigenous population, monitoring of human rights and advocacy is an asset; • Computer and database literacy will be an asset;

Boa Vista is the capital and the most populated municipality of the Brazilian state of Roraima. Concentrating approximately two thirds of the population of the state, it is located on the right bank of the Branco River. It is the only Brazilian capital located totally north of the Equator line. The city stands out among the capitals of the Amazon for the radially organized urban layout, planned in the period between 1944 and 1946, similar to the streets of Paris, in France. It is a typically administrative city that concentrates all state services. Banking, transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities are available.

The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in Brazil advises to exercise a high degree of caution in Brazil due to the high levels of serious and violent crime, especially in major cities. Violent crimes such as assaults, armed robberies, kidnappings and sexual assault are very important. The most frequent security incidents in the region are robberies, various types of fraud and minor crimes. Slums (favelas) in large cities should be avoided and in case of attack, one is advised not to resist. Demonstrations can occur at any time and can turn violent with little or no warning. All United Nations personnel must scrupulously comply with UNDSS procedures and recommendations during their assignment, both on and off duty. For missions in rural areas or indigenous reserves, special procedures may apply; United Nations personnel should consult with the local DSS office in advance. Additional means of communication can be provided in Pacaraima.

Basic health services are available but specialized services are not offered locally. Travelers are advised to carry a supply of the necessary prescription medications. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory, and evidence of yellow fever vaccine is required (at least ten days before the trip to the area). Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and yellow fever are transmitted by the same mosquito, Aedes Aegypti. Preventive measures are key. The mosquito feeds mainly at dusk and dawn, indoors, in shaded areas or when the weather is cloudy. Wear long-sleeved clothing, use insect repellents, place windows with screens, keep residences cool with air conditioning and use mosquito nets.

The climate of Boa Vista is considered tropical humid), with the dry winter and the rainy summer; Autumn and spring are practically not perceived. The temperature varies from 22 ° C to 35 ° C. The estimated population of Boa Vista is 375 374 people (IBGE, 2018), being the most populated municipality in the state.

Boa Vista has an inefficient urban transport, despite its two modern bus terminals, real shopping centres with food stores, various businesses, air-conditioned environment and elevators. The city's population also uses taxis shared by several passengers (not recommended for UN personnel). However, the streets of Boa Vista are wide and well-marked. Boa Vista connects with the rest of the country via air and by land. There is an airport (Atlas Brasil Cantanhede International Airport). Boa Vista also has an International Bus Terminal, the José Amador de Oliveira - Baton International Rodoviária, which connects the city with others from the interior of Roraima, the Amazon (Manaus), Guyana, Esequiba and Venezuela.

No furnished housing available. Power cuts are frequent but short. As this is a national UN Youth Volunteer assignment, the UN Youth Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and other living essentials. Roraima is a unique State and has a unique humanitarian operation. 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

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org