Child Protection Specialist (NOC), FT, Qamishli, Syria

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Saturday 21 Aug 2021 at 20:55 UTC

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This is a NO-3 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-3 contracts.

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, Hope

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. 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 fulfill 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.

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (P3), the Specialist (NOC) supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection Annual Work Plan for North East Syria (NES) and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the designated Field Office area. The Specialist 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.

The Specialist 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.

In addition, the Child protection Specialist will provide support to coordinate CP efforts among all CP relevant actors under the umbrella of the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR). This will include the provision of technical support on assessing the CP needs, planning, monitoring, and bridging any gap in CP response.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS:

1. Support to programme/project development and planning

- Support the preparation, design and updating of the needs assessments 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 with the CP section in Damascus. Formulate, design, and contribute to the programme/project proposals, ensuring alignment with CP AWP, UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans and the Country Programme, as well as coherence and integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.

- Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the CP using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval with Implementing Partners in NES.

- Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners in NES and Damascus to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine NES CP 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 sections 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 agree on the 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 child protection programmes in NES.

- 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. In addition, monitor very closely the Third-Party Monitors (facilitators), provide them with technical support, review their visits’ reports and take timely action as needed

- 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 the CFO and the Chief Of CP based in Damascus to keep them informed of programme progress.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

- Provide technical guidance and operational support to local government counterparts, NGO partners, UN Agencies present in NES and other field 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 in NES.

- Arrange and coordinate availability of technical experts with CP Section at national level to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process.

- Participate in child protection 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 concept papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for the Chief of CP and the CFO.

4. Networking and partnership building

- Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant local government counterparts, UN agencies, national stakeholders, - 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 one standard child protection system in NES

- Prepare communication and information updates for CP programme at national level advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to support fund raising and advocacy efforts for child protection programmes and emergency interventions.

- Ensure cross-collaboration with other UNICEF’s sectors in Qamishli Field Office including Education, Health and Nutrition, Social Policy, ADAP and C4D to ensure mainstreaming of CP within these sectors to reach wider coverage of children.

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 support to the CP AoR at NES level

- Support conducting any CP inter-agency needs assessment including developing the CP assessment tools and share its recommendations with all relevant members

- Support the development of the CP Annual Action Plan in line with the CP priorities identified in the annual HRP and the needs’ assessments recommendations

- Support the capacity building needs for the CP actors and conducting relevant trainings as needed

- Represent CP AoR in relevant coordination meetings with other relevant sectors especially PWG and GBV AoR and follow up on required actions.

- Support the mid-year and end year review of the HRP in NES and ensure that gaps in CP response are bridged as UNICEF is the last resort to respond

- Support the advocacy efforts to ensure that every child is protection from violence and exploitation including advocacy for resource mobilization

- Share relevant information and any relevant supporting documents with CP members as required

- Provide support to CP members on reporting their activities and share with PWG/OCHA at NES level and with CP AoR at national level the monthly update and other updates as needed.

IMPACT OF RESULTS:

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of child protection programmes/projects and the achievement of sustainable results, contributes to the achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children against harm, all forms of violence and ensures their survival, development and well being in society. Achievements in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

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

- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field. A first-level university degree in one of the above fields combined with seven years of experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

- A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required or similar fields.

- 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 and Arabic is required. Knowledge of local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA)

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are

Core competencies:

  • Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
  • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
  • Works Collaboratively with others (2)
  • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
  • Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
  • Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
  • Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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. For this position, suitable women candidates will receive preferential consideration and selection, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements stated above.

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:

This VA is open to Internal and External Staff.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/

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

Contract Duration: Two Years, Fixed Term Appointment.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org