Child Protection Specialist (Coordination)

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.

UNICEF Pacific aims to protect children against all forms of violence, including neglect, abuse, exploitation, separation from parents and any form of harm to their well-being and development, through strengthening child protection systems.

We are doing this by working in partnership with the governments, faith-based and civil society organisations to: • Include child protection laws and policies based on international standards; • Provide capacity building to each of the five sectors including social welfare, judiciary, police, health and education; and • Build commitment from partners to plan and implement actions to address violence against children.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Chief Child Protection or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Child Protection Specialist (Coordination) will:

• Act as the communications focal point for Pacific Child Protection Team. Liaise with colleagues in Pacific MCO and Field Offices and external partners on key child protection updates and prepare Child Protection newsletters and regional network meetings including documentation. • Provide dedicated support (1-2 months) to the Pacific Conference of Churches to coordinate meetings, gather information and support the finalization of the programme document required for the partnership with UNICEF Pacific.

• Support coordinate meetings with partners and core research group on the scoping study to provide an overview of the issues relating to children who are left behind (Labour Mobility/Seasonal Workers Scheme) in four Pacific countries (Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa) in partnership with the University of South pacific and Western Sydney University.

• Support the organization of the national and regional child protection meetings.

• Using UNICEF monitoring tools, consolidate change measured/impact of UNICEF-supported child protection activities.

• Any other related tasks as required by the Supervisor.

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.

Deliverables/Outputs: - Act as liaison with sections within UNICEF and field offices - Support the finalization of the programme document with UNICEF - Document monthly updates on child protection activities - Prepare 1 newsletter per quarter approved by Chief Child Protection, and disseminate/share with CP network (govt, cso, fbo partners) in the region - Document progress/change measured from UNICEF-supported activities through partnerships with churches, civil society organizations in Fiji and selected PICs covered by the partnerships. - Document and produce quarterly updates on good practices and lessons learned on child protection support provided - Support coordinate meetings of the core study group - Support coordinate country meetings with key govt partners and other relevant stakeholders - Support coordinate validation workshops required for the 4 PICs (Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands & Fiji) - Support final launch and dissemination meetings - Support preparations required/coordination with governments on the Pacific Regional Child Wellbeing Summit - Support other national and regional meetings as required - Provide support to other tasks as required

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNICEF’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

any development field, preferably child and youth development. • Work experience in experience with coordination is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Some experience in monitoring and data • 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, at different levels • 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 Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and 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 child protection and wellbeing, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

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

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances:

The purpose of allowances for UN Volunteers is to enable them to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work.

Monthly Living Allowance: FJD 2086.94

Entry Lump Sum: USD 400

Medical and life insurance (Cigna)

Leave entitlements (annual leave, sick leave, learning leave, maternity/ paternity leave – details can be found in the Conditions of Service: https://explore.unv.org/cos)

Access to UNV's learning and career development resources

Exit Lump Sum: FJD 173.91 for each month served, paid on completion of contract