Child Protection Specialist - Emergency/MRM-roving, P-4, Fixed Term, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 fulfill 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.

For every child, Safety

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. UNICEF work is based on the need to address the impact of conflict and other phenomena affecting the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates 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 favoritism. This will ensure that every child has an equal chance in life. Moreover, UNICEF’s work to 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 Humanitarian crisis.

In Afghanistan, child rights violations by parties to the conflict keep worsening as the United Nations Secretary General’s (SG) recent Report on Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC) covering 2020 identified Afghanistan as the one of the countries where highest number of grave violations verified, for the sixth consecutive year. Despite COVID, the year 2020 is not different for the children, as the Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) documented a significant grave child rights violation occurred during the reporting period.

UNICEF together with the UN Mission in Afghanistan and humanitarian agencies engaged with the affected populations and implement programs to prevent and respond to child recruitment. It is also worth mentioning that enactment of Child Rights Protection Law, March 2019 is so crucial to protect children and prohibits bacha bazi and the recruitment and use of children. A Child Protection Policy is drafted and awaiting the approval of the High Commission on Child Rights under the leadership of the 2nd Vice President.

High-level engagement is also being explored to address grave child rights violations in the country. The existing Groups of Friends, member State-led initiatives, in Afghanistan with UNICEF and UN Mission acting as a resource/secretariat for regular meetings hosted by a Member State chair being used as effective advocacy tool as UNICEF , the lead child rights agency briefs on most recent findings and observations arising from the MRM data collection, as well as on UNICEF/UN advocacy, dialogue and response efforts in this regard. Child protection and reintegration programmes for the children who are associated with armed groups and forces are being implemented amidst on-going fighting, administrative hindrance and recent access restrictions due to COVID. After 15th of August 2021, the protective environment are negatively impacted and grave violations increased. At the same time and due that national staff who are working on Monitoring and Reporting of Grave violations are exposed to huge risk they have been relocated outside the country. The programme is therefore looking for additional capacities to support the current staff in the field and enhance their capacities on MRM as well as UNICEF’s partners on reporting. In addition, with the limited role of UNAMA on MRM at the context of renewal of the UNAMA mandate for only 6 months and the unpredictable nature of the engagement of UNAMA after that. UNICEF has to initiate the preparedness of taking stronger role on CAAC and MRM

How can you make a difference?

The CP MRM Specialist will lead the overall programmatic priority on monitoring and reporting the grave violations in accordance to the Security Council Resolution 1612 and other Resolutions with more focus on expansion of the monitoring and reporting to the areas that previously were inaccessible. S/He will be working be working to support the capacity building of the staff, partners and other UNNCT members on MRM. S/He will closely work across other sectors in UNICEF, UNAMA and other partners to develop different modalities that are more adaptable to the current context in Afghanistan. The MRM specialist function is roaming with more emphasis on strengthen the regional MRM mechanisms and build the leadership that is needed at the decentralized level.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Child Protection Chie, the MRM Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme on MRM. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes including in MRM. 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 well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies. He/she will ensure that children at risk and victims of grave violations are supported through the UNICEF’s Programme in Afghanistan.

The MRM Specialist will further contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

1. Support to 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 documentations 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, 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 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, identify bottlenecks and potential problems. Take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• 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 context) 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 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. 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 to 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 to support fund raising for child protection programmes and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF planning and preparation of programmes/projects. Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF process for development planning and agenda setting.

5. 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.

6. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

7. Prepare for the high level Meeting including briefings for the Security Council working Group, Group of Friends and the Co-Chairs of Country Taskforce of Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism.

8. 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 Kabul for onward submission to SRSG-CAAC. 9. Ensure capacity-building of identified partners and UNICEF MRM team to increase coverage, participants, reported cases of grave child rights violations and to strengthen the analysis of trends and response to children victims by remote and country-mission technical supervision, support, mentoring and coaching, as needed; 10. Ensure the link between monitoring & reporting activities and programmatic response to children victims of violations by liaising with protection and child protection working groups for appropriate referral of cases; 11. Provide inputs to UNICEF strategic sectoral programmatic documents and proposals and reports to donors related to MRM. 12. Manage the partnership with organizations undertaking direct monitoring on MRM; 13. On a monthly basis - with the supervision and support of the MRM Database Manager - all Afghanistan MRM cases documented in concerned Cross-border COs and by relevant CTF Agencies are compiled, reviewed (ensuring the credibility, reliability and verification of all cases), finalized and uploaded onto the MRM Database. 14. Ensure quality CPiE programming – in particular on CAAFAG - in line with established standards, guidelines and procedures – through technical leadership to Afghanistan Country Office.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one of the following disciplines: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas, with particularly emphasis on MHPSS is required.
• Experience working in working humanitarian context, particularly post conflict and protracted humanitarian context.
• 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 as an added advantage
• 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

Core Competencies required

• 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)

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.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

* This is a non-family duty station.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

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

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.