Child Protection Associate

Contract

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.

UNHCR works closely with the government and the Implementing Partners in the protection and care of the refugee children in Malawi. Unaccompanied/Separated Children and other categories of vulnerable children are received at the boarder entry points by the Malawian government and taken to the reception center in Karonga. Thereafter, they are transported to Dzaleka refugee camp where they are registered by the government and UNHCR and appropriate care arrangements are identified for them.

In partnership with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), UNHCR provides primary education to over 4,500 refugee and asylum seeker children. Some 500 children attend secondary education. Malawian nationals also benefit from the educational facilities in the camp. However, the education system is currently overwhelmed by the number of new arrivals. In addition to education, JRS also provides psychosocial counselling to individuals and families while school social workers attends to issues affecting school children.

Health care is provided to PoCs and more than 40,000 nationals from villages surrounding Dzaleka refugee camp while World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with the Participatory Rural Development Organization (PRDO) and UNHCR provide monthly food rations to the refugees and asylum seekers.

UNHCR in collaboration with Plan Malawi implements Child Protection program in the following areas; basic case management for vulnerable children and organizes educational, artistic and recreational activities. UNHCR also works closely with community structures to enhance child protection notably through Child Protection Committee as well as the Human Rights and SGBV committees.

UNHCR also identifies durable solutions to refugees primarily through resettlement and voluntary repatriation.

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer and technical supervision of the Child Protection Expert the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Work jointly with IPs in the camp, facilitating the implementation, development, and review of the procedures where required.

Support assessments of child protection risks, identification of gaps and development of appropriate responses in cooperation with implementing partners.

Conduct Best Interest Assessments (BIAs) and Best Interest Determinations (BIDs) for vulnerable children including unaccompanied and separated children (UASC).

Support identification of children at risk and perform referral and follow-up (case management) including but not limited to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC)

Assist the Office in the strengthening of Community-based child protection networks including community Child protection committees.

Participate in child protection coordination mechanisms with implementing partners and other agencies.

Support child protection information management, monitoring and evaluation systems and maintain child protection databases (hard copies and electronic).

In coordination with partners, engage the refugee community to ensure community participation in child protection.

Perform any other assigned tasks.

Accountability, Client Orientation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Respect for Diversity, Working in Teams

Previous working experience preferably in the area of child protection, including through capacity building and individual case support, for example for the UN and/ or NGOs

Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, is a Category B duty station. Modest with all facilities available in the capital Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Blantyre, and Zomba. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.