Child Protection Specialist (GBViE), P-3, (TA) – 364 days, ECARO o/p Rome, Italy

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 101,597 USD and 133,034 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, Protection

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy and 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 fulfil 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Child Protection Specialist (GBViE) will support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF’s GBV-related emergency preparedness and response in Italy, ensuring overall efficiency, effectiveness and delivery of results in accordance with the UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and national and international standards. The Child Protection Specialist (GBViE) will coordinate the GBV interventions related to all migrant and refugees in the Country, including those arriving from Ukraine. The position supports the team by providing guidance and direction on emergency GBV issues and ensuring implementation of high-impact GBV interventions as outlined in UNICEF’s technical guidelines, in line with the UNICEF global child protection strategy, under the framework of the 2023 GBViE Strategy for Italy and in support of other programmatic priorities.

The Child Protection Specialist (GBViE) contributes to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programme/project results according to plans, budget allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology, and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme management and implementation
2. Advisory services and technical support
3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Strategy and Programme development

• Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for GBV to ensure that current and comprehensive data on GBV is available to continue guiding 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.
• Lead the GBV strategy implementation and development of relevant plans.
• Formulate, design and prepare programme/project proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans as well as coherence with strategies and national priorities, in collaboration with the Child Protection team.
• Work closely with relevant UNICEF sectors to continue toestablish 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 of GBV, 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 ensure GBV monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements are in place 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.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleaguesto 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

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners and donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on child protection related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Arrange and coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process.
• Participate in programme meetings, including programme development and contingency planning discussions on emergency preparedness in the country or other locations designated, to provide technical and operational information, advice and support.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration.
• Oversee PSEA integration throughout the office and all programmes, including coordinating the implementation of priority actions and facilitating training and awareness-raising sessions internally and with external partners.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Continue to 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, under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist.
• Prepare communication and information materials for CO 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 discussions and planning and continue the collaboration with inter-agency partners/colleagues to plan and prepare programmes/projects.
• Participate in the development of joint policies and technical guidelines for appropriate provision of GBV response in emergencies, in coordination with other UN agencies, Child Protection coordination mechanism, and relevant NGOs and institutions through coordination mechanisms.
• Support the GBV interagency coordination mechanism and coordinate the implementation of the Joint action Plan with UNHCR.

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.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master's) in one of the following fields is required: child protection, international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required. Prior experience of GBV in a humanitarian context is required.
• Previous experience in migrant and refugee context highly desirable.
• Prior hands-on experience in middle and or high-income contexts is highly desirable.
• Relevant experience in programme development in GBV related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization tailoring language, tone, style, and format to match audience is required.
• Proficiency in English and Italian language is required. Knowledge of another official UN 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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Leading and supervising: Level I
• Formulating strategies and concepts: Level I
• Analysing: Level I
• Relating and networking: Level II
• Deciding and initiating action: Level II
• Applying technical expertise: Level II
• Planning and organizing: Level II

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Candidates who applied do not need to re-apply again.