Child Protection Officer (NO-B), Chisinau, Moldova, for Moldovan nationals only

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’s mission in Moldova is to support, ensuring every child in the country is healthy, educated and safe from harm, therefore having the best start in life and a fair chance to reach her or his full potential and benefit from the country’s prosperity. We believe children have a right to live in a more equitable society, where their voices are heard, and needs met as a matter of priority in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. More information on what we do in Moldova is available at: https://www.unicef.org/moldova/

Job organizational context

The Republic of Moldova/UNICEF Country Programme for 2018-2022 (CPD) supports the achievement of the priorities established by the national strategies, policies and programmes related to the realization of child rights and especially related Sustainable Development Goals (Goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 16) and targets, and it complements the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) that continues with a delivering-as-one approach for the period 2018-2022 and is aligned to UNICEF Strategic Plan for 2018-2021.

In this context, the new phase of the Joint Programme to Strengthen Human Rights in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova (henceforth “Joint Programme”) will be financed by the Government of Sweden as of July 2019 till June 2022, and implemented as a joint UN project, involving UNDP, UNICEF, UNODC, UN OHCHR, UNAIDS and IOM. Building on previous UN agencies’ human rights interventions in the Transnistrian region and based on the baseline 2013 comprehensive report as well as the follow-up report of 2018 and the recommendations provided by the UN Senior Expert, the Programme will contribute to reducing inequalities for women, men and children in the Transnistrian region. Under this Programme, UNICEF will support the implementation of justice for children related activities.

How can you make a difference?

Under the Supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, at NOC level, the Child Protection Officer supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme(s) and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the country programme. The Child Protection Officer provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. H/She facilitates the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm, and to protect their rights to survival, development and wellbeing as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to program development and planning

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

3.Technical and operational support to program implementation

4. Networking and partnership building

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to program development and planning

• Conduct/update situation analysis for the program sector/s for development, design and management of child protection related programs/projects. Research and report on development trends and (economic, social, health etc) data for use in program development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development/establishment of sectoral program goals, objectives and strategies and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing/administering a variety of technical, program, operational and administrative transactions, preparing related materials/documentations and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support program planning, results-based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating results.
• Prepare required program documentations/materials/data to facilitate the program review and approval process.

2. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results.

• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decision. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews to assess programs/projects and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of program management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocation/goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues/findings to ensure timely resolution by management/stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular/mandated sectoral program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.

3. Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Conduct regular program field visits and surveys and/or exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support, take appropriate action to resolve issues 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 partners and stakeholders on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices on child protection and related issues to support program implementation, operations and delivery of results.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate program implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programs.

5. 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 practice to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders.

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

Education: University Degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, (international) law or other social science field is required.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas is required.

Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.

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

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Romanian is required. Knowledge of Russian, another official UN language or another local language is a strong asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• 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)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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 and become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.