Child Protection Officer (MRM), NOB, Kabul, Afghanistan (Open to nationals of Afghanistan)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy and in operations. UNICEF's work is based on the need to address the impact of conflict and other phenomena affecting the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families and translate this commitment to children’s rights into action. UNICEF performs these tasks to give all children equal opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favouritism. This will ensure that every child has an equal chance in life. Moreover, UNICEF’s work 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 and in its Core Commitment for Children in the Humanitarian crisis.

In Afghanistan, more than forty years of conflict continue to undermine the rights of children to have access to their rights (Education, health, food, nutrition, protection etc) which adversely results in children and their families demonstrating Mental Health and Psychosocial disorders and challenge. The National Mental Health Survey and Assessment of Mental Health Services (2018) showed that the population of Afghanistan is very much exposed to traumatic events: 66% have personally experienced at least one traumatic event, and 77% witnessed such an event, for a total of 85% who have either personally experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. This is a very high number which is considered a risk for PTSD[1]. Irrespective of this alarming level of risk of PTSD in the country, the multiple levels of emergencies ranging from the conflict, which intensified in 2021, the COVID Pandemic and climate-related (storms, flooding, winter, drought, earthquake etc) emergencies result in further Mental Health and Psychosocial challenge for the population, including children. According to the 2018 National Mental Health Survey, 10 % of children were found to be impaired in their daily roles by a mental health problem as evaluated by their mother; 8% may qualify for a potential diagnosis[1].

In August 2021, approximately 750 vulnerable children received case management services from UNICEF and partners, of which over 230 UASC. The recent crises and the new control of the de facto new authority led to the evacuation of thousands of Afghanis including unaccompanied and separated children. At the request of its USG counterparts, UNICEF provided technical assistance with respect to UASC during the evacuation from 23 – 29 September, 165 unaccompanied and separated children were registered and provided care and support while waiting for evacuation. Of these, 148 travelled out and 17 children were reunified with families in Kabul. UNICEF's role focused on making recommendations for transfers based on the tracing information compiled through a best interest assessment process. The process will continue in Afghanistan and oversee to ensure that unaccompanied children and separated children including children on the move are provided with care and protection.

Moreover, due to the relocation of the national staff who are working on MRM outside the country and the scale-up programming for child protection in the current situation, the child protection programme will need to leverage more human resources with good expertise in current Afghanistan, expertise on MRM and emergency, in general, is critically needed specifically in the context of possibility for UNAMA to downsize or exit from the country.

Job organizational context: The CP Officer will focus on scaling up child protection responses including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Family tracing and Reunification (FTR) and alternative care as part of the UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme. S/He will be working across other sectors in UNICEF to ensure an integrated approach to emergency response and building elements of humanitarian and development nexus. The Officer will work to support UNICEF field Offices and partners on emergency work in general with a focus on MHPSS, FTR and alternative care. The Officer will contribute to the monitoring and reporting of the grave violations, establishment and or strengthening of the regional mechanisms, and capacity building of the extenders and partners on reporting and verification of cases.

Purpose of the job

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the chief of field office and the technical guidance of the chief of child protection and technical supervision of P4 MRM Specialist, the Officer Supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme(s) in the field and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the field offices, with focus on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Family tracing and Reunification, (FTR), Alternative Care and build up robust case management and information system component of the programme. The Officer provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. H/She facilitates the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions. Her/his leadership in both the AOR and the Case management He/she will ensure that children at risk and victims of violence, abuse and exploitation and unnecessary separation are supported through the UNICEF’s Programme in Afghanistan

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Support programme/project development and planning

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the child protection programmes/projects to ensure that current and comprehensive data on child protection issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection, and to set programme priorities, strategies, and design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency, and delivery.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of child protection programmes/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programme/project proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans and the Country Programme, as well as coherence and integration with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentation for programme review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and collaborate with colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in child protection programmes.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required actions and interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use the knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals
• Actively monitor programmes/projects through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners to assess progress, and identify bottlenecks and potential problems. Take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews
• Monitor and verify the optimum and appropriate use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, as well as standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular and mandated programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Support and scale up UNICEF MHPSS prevention and response services across Child Protection and other sectors in UNICEF (both humanitarian and non-humanitarian contexts) for children and caregivers who need mental health support.
• Develop and support a system of MHPSS/FTR/Alternative Care and Information system and case management capacity development of child protection actors involved in service delivery in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian areas.
• Develop and support MHPSS mainstreaming strategy in sectoral interventions beyond Protection/Child Protection – with a specific emphasis on Education, Health/Nutrition and WASH sectors.
• Work in consultation with the Child Protection team to strengthen the referral mechanism for girls and women, and their children to available MHPSS/FTR/alternative care services and programmes.
• Work with CAAC/MRE team and partners to ensure services are available and tailored to the needs of women and girls who were associated with Government and Non-Government Actors and who have suffered conflict-related sexual violence, through the provision of individual psychosocial support.
• Build and sustain close working partnerships with counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge on MHPSS/FTR/alternative care prevention and response including case management, to facilitate programme implementation and build the capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on MHPSS.
• Contribute to the development of Programme Documents with partners with the aim to expand MHPSS coverage.
• Prepare donor proposals and resource mobilization materials on MHPSS response, support implementation, monitoring and donor reporting.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on CP and MHPSS, including MHPSS Working Groups at the country and sub-national levels with the aim to represent, integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies on MHPSS.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration in line with MHPSS strategy and implementation of MHPSS activities.

4. Technical and operational support to programme implementation of MRM

• Prepare for the high-level Meeting including briefings and trend analysis for the Security Council Working Group, Group of Friends and the Co-Chairs of the Country Taskforce of Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism.
• Prepare and timely provide inputs to quarterly reports (GHN), country report on Children and Armed Conflict in Afghanistan and contribution to the SG annual report to the Office of the SRSG on Children and Armed Conflict - based on all consolidated MRM cases - submitted to Afghanistan CO CP and transmit it to the Afghanistan MRM CTFMR in for onward submission to SRSG-CAAC.
• Ensure capacity-building of identified partners and UNICEF MRM team to increase coverage, participants, and reported cases of grave child rights violations and to strengthen the analysis of trends and response to children’s victims by remote and country-mission technical supervision, support, mentoring and coaching, as needed.
• Ensure the link between monitoring & reporting activities and programmatic response to children’s victims of violations by liaising with protection and child protection working groups for appropriate referral of cases.
• Provide inputs to UNICEF strategic sectoral programmatic documents and proposals and reports to donors related to MRM.
• Manage the partnership and stakeholders undertaking direct monitoring of MRM.
• On a monthly basis - with the supervision and support of the MRM Database Associate - all Afghanistan MRM cases documented by relevant CTF Agencies are compiled, reviewed (ensuring the credibility, reliability and verification of all cases), finalized and uploaded onto the MRM Database. This includes following up with zonal offices on cases pending verification
• Prepare and timely provide inputs to quarterly reports regional (GHN), country report on Children and Armed Conflict in Afghanistan and contribution to the SG annual report to the Office of the SRSG on Children and Armed Conflict - based on all consolidated MRM cases - submitted to Afghanistan CO CP and transmit it to the Afghanistan MRM CTFMR in Kabul for onward submission to SRSG-CAAC.
• Ensure quality CPiE programming – in particular on CAAFAG - is in line with established standards, guidelines and procedures – through technical leadership to Afghanistan Country Office.

****5. Networking and partnership building****

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, allies, donors, and academia - through active networking, advocacy and effective communication - to build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results in child protection, particularly on MHPSS.
• Prepare communication and information materials for Country Office programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and support fundraising for child protection programmes and emergency interventions.

6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply and introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results in child protection and related programmes/projects.

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

Education

• A university degree in one of the following disciplines: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.

Experience

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection-related areas, with particular emphasis on MHPSS, is required.

  Experience working in humanitarian contexts, particularly post-conflict and protracted humanitarian contexts.

  Relevant experience in programme development in child protection-related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

  Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered an added advantage.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or the local language of the duty station is considered an asset.

UNICEF values and competency required for the post

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Core Competencies required

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnership (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to delivering the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female nationals of Afghanistan are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

[1] The European Union’s Program for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, National Mental Health Survey and Assessment of Mental Health Services, Final Report, July 2018.