Child Protection Officer (Social Workforce Development)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. UNICEF works with other United Nations agencies to make sure that children are on the global agenda. UNICEF strikes a balance between thorough research and practical solutions for children.

UNICEF has been supporting Ministry of Social Welfare and Department of Social Services in Bangladesh for Social Service Workforce development and establishing child sensitive social protection mechanism. The organization is going to put more resources with Bangladesh government for social service workforce development considering the huge child population which is close to 60 million and the number of children needing care and protection. In the country around 15 million children live in city slums and 500,000 to 2 million children live in the street. The country has only 3454 reported government social service workforce staffs and the ratio of worker per 100,000 child population is 6.07. UNICEF has Child Sensitive Social Protection project with Ministry of Social Welfare which is running it’s second phase since 2017 and will continue until 2024 with intensifying focus on strengthening the social service workforce and alternative care.

The UN Volunteer will work under the supervision of Child Protection Specialist. The key functions are as follows.

1. Assist in roll out Social Service Workforce development initiative.
2. Assist in review and updating the Social Service Workforce development curriculums in the country.
3. Assist in developing normative framework for Social Service workforce in Bangladesh and developing accreditation system
4. Assist National Social Service Training Academy of Department of Social Services to upgrade Basic and Professional Social Service Training (BSST and PSST) into certified course
5. Assist in initiating Masters/Executive Course or Certificate Course on child protection social work with public and private University in the country.
6. Work closely with consultants and provide them technical support.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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 in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • 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: 1. 308 Social Workers and Probation Officers are trained. 2. Social Service Workforce development curriculums is reviewed and updated. 3. Normative framework and accreditation mechanism for Social Service workforce is developed. 4. National Social Service Training Academy of Department of Social Services upgraded Basic and Professional Social Service Training (BSST and PSST) into certified course 5. Masters/Executive Course or Certificate Course on child protection social work is initiated with at least one public. 6. Ensure children with disability project implemented and monitored regularly. 7. Data assurance and collective qualitative information on social work force from CSO, Gov and consultants.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Managing Performance • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

• Either the UN and/or NGO. Experience in Child Protection Social Work, Social Service Workforce development and child protection programme design, implementation.

• Experience in social work, social workforce development an asset.

• Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in another UN language an asset.

• Expertise in Child Protection, Social Service Workforce qualification framework and accreditation mechanism, Capacity Development of Social Service Workforce, Community Engagement, Social Justice.

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.