Child Protection Officer

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.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. Equity accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. One of the UNICEF’s strengths is to link the “micro” (i.e., ground level reality) to the “macro” (programmes, policies and legislation) and scale-up/leveraging associated with it. The Volunteer will work to connect the reality facing children on the ground in Rohingya camps and host communities across Cox’s Bazar District to programmes and policies put in place by UNICEF, the Child Protection Sub-Sector and the Government of Bangladesh.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (P3), the UNV Child Protection Officer will:

• Provide overarching and polyvalent support to the Child Protection programme in Cox’s Bazar, especially but not limited to Child Protection Output 3: Ending Violence Against Children and Women • Support the Child Protection team in interactions with government and non-government partners and other external stakeholders, including but not limited to partnership management, and strategic and technical oversight. • Conduct regular field monitoring of UNICEF Child Protection programmes and partners in Rohingya camps and Bangladeshi host communities • Monitor project activities and results (outputs/outcomes) and ensure compliance in planning, implementation and reporting based on agreed programme documents • Monitor the overall situation for children and women, with a focus on the protective environment, including the prevalence and dynamics of abuse, exploitation and violence • Identify needs and gaps, contribute to team discussions, and propose solutions where needed in terms of programme implementation, in teamwork with the wider UNICEF Child Protection Section and the Child Protection Sub-Sector in Cox’s Bazar • Provide and/o support capacity building for Child Protection personnel, as well as for children, parents, and members of the community as required • Maintain close liaison with relevant camp coordination structures and other agencies working in the same locations • Provide regular field monitoring reports with strong analysis, including challenges and recommendations • Support communication and visibility activities, including the facilitation of high-level and/or donor and/or other similar visits • Support the supervision and/or enumeration of key surveys, assessments and studies on the situation of children in the Rohingya camps and host communities, and contribute to the development of analysis and results • Other related tasks or workstreams that may be required or assigned by the supervisor in consultation with the Child Protection Manager.

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:

• Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including i) Improved quality of the child protection response, including adherence to minimum standards, to reduce the vulnerability of children to violence, exploitation and abuse and ensure their access to survivor-centered response services, and ii) Improved programme implementation, through increased understanding of the protective environment for children and the factors impacting on vulnerabilities and risks based on gender, age and nationality/status, which in turn leads to increased greater social cohesion in regions affected by conflict • Age, Gender and Diversity 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.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Leadership • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Vision • Working in Teams

• professional work experience at the national and/or international level; humanitarian experience is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • Experience in child protection (CP), GBV or protection programming and capable of creating a collaborative environment to enhance coordination and possess strong negotiation and advocacy skills. • Experience in knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation is essential. Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Sound security awareness. • Have affinity with or interest in children’s rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Working knowledge of Chittagonian language and/or Rohingya is an advantage.

Cox’s Bazar is a family duty-station with good access to air and bus travel to other parts of Bangladesh. Accommodation, food, education and medical facilities are available.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials as well.

The UN Volunteer CP Officer will be based in Cox’s Bazar, with regular travel to the Rohingya camps and other locations in Teknaf and Ukhia upazila. As this is a National UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious acts insurance plan.

Cox's Bazar is a district of Bangladesh known for fishing port and tourism. It is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Bangladesh. The beach in Cox's Bazar is an unbroken 120 km (75 miles) sandy sea beach with a gentle slope, making it the second longest sea beach in the world. The cli-mate of Cox's bazar is similar to the rest of the country. The climate of Bangladesh is generally determined by its location in the tropical monsoon region: high temperature, heavy rainfall, generally excessive humidity, and distinct seasonal variations. It is further characterized by the location in the coastal area. Cox’s Bazar is a generally safe place to live. The communications systems in Cox’s Bazar is well developed and the district is well-connected with other cities. National mobile networks are operational. Cox’s Bazar has a domestic airport and is currently classified as a family duty station (Security Level 3; Hardship Category D).