Child Protection Specialist - PSEA, P4, TA, Child Protection, Programme Group, NYHQ, 364 days

Overview

Support UNICEF's mission on protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

You have:

• An advanced university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or relevant social science field required.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in development planning and management in child protection or gender-based violence areas, at the international level, required.
• At least two years working on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse required.
• Experience working in humanitarian crises considered essential.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station considered an asset.

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 159,743 USD and 205,956 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, a 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Child Protection Specialist (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – PSEA) will be part of the Child Protection in Emergencies Unit. Under the overall guidance of the Senior Adviser Child Protection (Child Protection in Emergencies - CPiE) and the Child Protection Specialist (PSEA programming technical lead), and within the context of supporting the implementation of the UNICEF Strategic Plan (Goal Area 3), UNICEF PSEA strategy, the UN’s work to strengthen a uniform approach to PSEA (under the Secretary General’s strategy on PSEA and the UN SEA Working Group), and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) PSEAH Strategy and Vision (2022-2026), the Child Protection Specialist (PSEA) will provide support to the child protection section on PSEA. The incumbent will provide technical support to implement the PSEA agenda in collaboration with all UNICEF clusters/sections/divisions at HQ and regional offices as well as external partnerships and UN agencies in enhancing child protection systems. The Child Protection Specialist (PSEA) will work closely with focal points within the Child Protection Section, other relevant sections at headquarters (such as EMOPS, HATIS, Gender, Ethics, Legal Affairs, Human Resources, and OED), COs and Regional Advisers as well as with key partners (e.g. the UN office of the Special Coordinator on improving the UN’s response to SEA, UN agencies, funds and programmes, the UN Victims’ Rights Advocate (VRA), Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Department for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC), OHCHR, the office of Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, International Organization for Migration (IOM), subject matter experts, and multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors) to ensure that the PSEA agenda is effectively considered and coherently integrated into appropriate work streams. This is a NYHQ-based position with frequent international travel to Regional and Country Offices, International Conferences, Workshops and Seminars.

Purpose for the job: The Child Protection Specialist -PSEA will support the advancement of UNICEF’s work to meet its institutional accountabilities in accordance with the UNICEF Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and national and international humanitarian standards as well as contribute to strengthening UNICEF and Inter-agency results on PSEA. This includes supporting global advocacy efforts on PSEA, supporting implementation of UNICEF PSEA framework and work plan and PSEA funds, developing and spearheading the roll out of the PSEA handbook for humanitarian contexts on how to implement quality PSEA programming from the outset of emergency, and supporting the Inter-Agency Standing Committee in the implementation of the IASC PSEA Strategy and Vision, including strengthening evidence-based approach on PSEA. The Child Protection Specialist -PSEA will also contribute to the achievement of concrete and sustainable programme/project results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development, planning and management.
2. Technical Support
3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Programme development, planning and management.

• Support the development of programme proposals and take other actions to leverage funds for the PSEA area of responsibility.
• Contribute to the alignment of global child protection programmes with UNICEF Strategic Plan, international standards and mechanisms, donor development policies, and UN-wide interventions and initiatives.
• Contribute to the preparation of programme reports, as required, for management, the Executive Board, donors and partners.
• Contribute to major monitoring and evaluation exercises to assess progress globally and to engage stakeholders to take required actions to achieve results; identify and document lessons learned and facilitate strategic use of knowledge gained.
• Contribute to the establishment of specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning and management (RBM).

2. Technical support

• Provide technical support to UNICEF country and regional offices on institutionalizing PSEA efforts across all programming areas and for the implementation of PSEA from the outset of UNICEF’s emergency response.
• Assist in strengthening global capacity on PSEA by developing inter-agency standard-setting guidance, tools and protocols to support the planning and implementation of PSEA priorities, systems and initiatives, in line with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan and the inter-agency initiatives related to programmes under the UN SEA Working Group and the IASC.
• Contribute to the formulation of global strategies and policies for both inter-agency and UNICEF-specific work on PSEA, and support development and roll out of UNICEF-led PSEA ‘global goods,’ including technical guidance, protocols, tools for programming.
• Support UNICEF coordination on issues related to PSEA programming with IASC bodies and the UN SEA Working Group and UNICEF participation in interagency and Member States’ meetings on PSEA, including preparation of talking points, briefing notes, and background documents.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Contribute to the technical partnerships including the UN SEA Working Group and the IASC Technical Advisory Group, and other global partnerships and initiatives on PSEA.
• Support the maintenance of inter-agency relationships towards the development of enhanced policy frameworks and programming models for the work around PSEA.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organization, research institutes and private sector in order to leverage these partnerships to achieve greater results for children.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Contribute to the development of programme knowledge acquisition through systematic documentation of experience and lessons learned from UNICEF PSEA programmes and activities, and work to institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned, including in humanitarian emergency settings, across UNICEF.
• Contribute to advancement of research, identify research gaps, priority areas for consideration and analysis related to PSEA programming, specifically on evidence-based, innovative and community based approaches, to advance the agenda on PSEA at country level.
• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches on PSEA, keeping abreast of current research and introducing and implementing cutting edge practices on reporting and prevention, victim/survivor assistance and protection, and accountability.

Impact of Results

The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of PSEA systems and coordination structures at the outset of any humanitarian response contributes to the prevention of SEA and appropriate response. The protection of crisis-affected communities, including girls and boys, from SEA by humanitarian workers and others delivering assistance and protection is core to UNICEF’s mandate and essential for the effective delivery of humanitarian aid.

Child Safeguarding

Child safeguarding involves proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel or UNICEF associates. The risks may include those associated with: physical violence (including corporal punishment); sexual violence, exploitation or abuse; emotional and verbal abuse; economic exploitation; failure to provide for physical or psychological safety; neglect of physical, emotional or psychological needs; harmful cultural practices; and privacy violations.

Certain UNICEF positions present elevated child safeguarding risks (“elevated risk roles”) and candidates and/or incumbents may be subject to more rigorous vetting and training. Roles may be elevated risk roles because of significant unsupervised direct contact with children, their data, having a role in responding to safeguarding incidents, or being otherwise assessed as presenting an elevated risk. This position has been identified as a direct contact role.

Note: To appropriately categorize this position, please refer to the Guidance on Identifying & Assessing Elevated Risk Roles for this job profile and remove non-applicable description in the highlighted area above.

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 or a Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of field experience with increasing responsibility is required.
• A minimum of eight years of professional experience in development planning and management in child protection or gender-based violence areas, at the international level, is required. At least two years working on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse is required.
• Experience working in humanitarian crises is considered essential. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
• Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or entity is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS)

Please click Here to view UNICEF's core values and Here to view our competency framework.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3)
• Works Collaboratively with others (3)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (3)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (3)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (3)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and initiating action (2)
• Applying Technical Expertise (3)

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 including 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, 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 promoting 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.

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 may also be 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.

“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/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page. If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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

Potential interview questions