Child Protection Officer (NO-1), UNICEF B&H, 6 months (for BiH nationals only)
Contract
This is a NO-1 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-1 contracts.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, protection
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 favoritism. 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. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It 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.
Over 150,000 persons arrived to BiH from 2018 through December 2023, following the closure of other established migration routes. Most arrived irregularly by land, from Serbia and Montenegro. and 14 percent were children on the move (8% unaccompanied and separated children and 6% children in families. In the begging of the crisis government systems struggled to cope, and many services were provided by UN Agencies and NGOs, and funded internationally, including temporary accommodation, food, health care and protection.
UNICEF with partners World Vision and Center for Social Welfare (CSW) in Sarajevo and Una-Sana Canton (USC) provides 24/7 protection for unaccompanied children (UAC) and children in families including mental health and psychosocial support, legal guardianship and operating Child Friendly Space (CFS) in two TRCs.
UNICEF supports the transition to government ownership through the development capacity building program of institutions' capacities and trainings on the topic of case management for cantonal ministries, centers for social welfare and legal guardians in the field. The trainings explore the potential to improve outcomes for children by strengthening the capacity of professionals to work with local populations and children on the move. Competencies related to case management are crucial in child protection and will be further developed with this training for application in practice.
UNICEF leads child protection coordination through active working groups at the canton level (Una-Sana and Sarajevo cantons) and the BiH level. These coordination mechanisms ensured the exchange of updates, information and addressing key challenges.
How can you make a difference?
The Child Protection Officer reports to the Emergency Coordinator and Child Protection Specialist on a day-to-day basis and for technical guidance to the Child Protection Specialist (based in Sarajevo) who is at Level 3 (matrix supervision) for close guidance and supervision.
The Child Protection Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the child protection programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Programme within the Country Programme.
Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
- Support to programme development and planning
- Research and analyze regional and national political, protection, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
- Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
- Facilitate the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection programmes and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
- Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programmeming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.
- Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.
- Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.
- Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues in Bihac and Sarajevo and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and to submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with the government and other counterparts and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
- Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity.
- Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
- Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting.
- Technical and operational support to programme implementation
Undertake field visits and surveys and collect and share reports with partners and stakeholders.
Assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution.
- Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
- Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in child protection, to support programme implementation.
- Networking and partnership building
- Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
- Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on humanitarian response operational planning and preparation of child protection programmes/projects, in particular for children on the move, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with the UN’s contingency/humanitarian response development and planning processes.
Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fundraising and partnership development purposes.
Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fundraising for child protection programmes, in particular related to the humanitarian response to the refugee/migrant crisis situation.
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
- Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
- Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
- A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of one year of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
Skills and knowledge:
- Good analytical skill and negotiating skills.
- Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.
- Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity.
- Knowledge of latest trends in child protection with the focus on children in emergencies
- Knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes,
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
For further details please contact Human Resources at UNICEF Office in Sarajevo, Ms. Aldijana Brezovac, abrezovac@unicef.org.
Added 14 hours ago
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Updated 5 hours ago
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Source:
unicef.org
