Information Management Officer (Child Protection)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

In Mali, children face a variety and multiple forms of abuse and exploitation at different level; within their families, in their communities, on the streets as well as in institutions, that are supposed to protect them. The crisis that Mali has experienced since 2012 has had an enormous impact on the lives of children through various forms of grave violations of their rights, namely the recruitment and use of children, sexual violence, exposure to remnants of war and improvised explosive devices, in addition to other child protection issues affecting them before the crisis (violence, abuse, ill-treatment, etc...). The conflict has led to a massive displacement of populations from the Northern regions to the Southern regions and neighboring countries (Mauritania, Niger, Algeria, Burkina Faso) and thus causing the separation of children from their families and communities.

Families in host communities, already for the majority in precarious situations, must deal with the economic consequences resulting from an exacerbated pressure on their limited resources. UNICEF Mali is working with its partners from government and civil society by providing support to prevent and respond to child protection issues. Child protection system strengthening is among the strategic intervention in this field. strengthening the children's justice system is among the priority areas of intervention in this framework. It is a question of revitalizing the collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, strengthening the capacities of justice actors, reinforcing data collection, and reporting and supporting legislative reforms.

The Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) was established in Mali in 2013, following the listing of three armed groups in the UN Secretary-General’s 12th Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, for the recruitment and use of children and for rape or other forms of grave sexual violence against children. As required by Security Council Resolution 1612, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and UNICEF jointly established the Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) of grave child rights violations committed by parties to the conflict in Mali to implement and coordinate all aspects of the MRM, including the monitoring and documentation of six grave violations committed against children by parties to the conflict, drafting and submission of reports such as the Global Horizontal Note (GHN), the Secretary-General Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict and other specific country reports. In addition, the CTFMR conducts high-level advocacy on matters related to children affected by armed conflict. With the adoption of Security Council Resolutions 1882 (2009), 1998 (2011), 2225 (2005) and 2427 (2018), the Country Task Force increased its focus on documenting, preventing, and responding to sexual violence, killing, and maiming, abduction and attacks against schools, hospitals, and reinforcing its cooperation with other CTFMR members including the protection and education clusters as well as the child protection sub-cluster.

On 30 June 2023, the UN Security Council voted the resolution 2023S/RES/2690, which terminated the mandate of MINUSMA and demanded the immediate transfer of its tasks as of 01 July 2023, and the complete drawdown of its operations by 31 December. Following the departure of the Mission, UNICEF is scaling up its response regarding MRM identification, verification, documentation, and reporting, as well as its protection response to victims of one of the six grave violations against children, including children associated and with armed groups and/or armed forces and other conflict affected children.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Child Protection Specialist (MRM) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Child Protection Information Management Officer will ensure the rolling out of Information Management services for the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on the six grave violations against children:

• Support the data collection and information management for the CTFMR and MRM programmes and produce relevant data visualization and analytical documents.
• Ensure capacity building and support to the team and implementing partners for data collection and information management mechanisms.
• Support the management and update of MRM database • Support the MRM IMS+ deployment and roll out in Mali including capacity building and refresher trainings for staff and partners on the system. o Ensure continuous coaching and technical support of MRM IMS+ users
o Liaise with UNICEF MRM team and Primero team in New-York concerning potential issues on the systems o Ensure final clean-up and storage of data in the old MRM database, with a view to future reports such as annual report 2023 and country report 2023-2024 • Support the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for MRM as required and in coordination with the dedicated Child Protection Specialists.
• Support documentation of best practices and lessons learnt linked to regional and country program results and activities.
• Support other programme activities related to child protection and integrated initiatives as required by the supervisor.

• 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.

Information Management and Child Protection; Experience with PRIMERO systems and on MRM is an asset, Experience working in the UN or other international development or humanitarian organization.

Furthermore, the candidate is required to have the following: • Proven statistical, analytic, and technical skills including designing and administrating databases, database management and data analysis using statistical packages (Power BI...). • High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), ability to maintain basic websites, ability to produce data summaries and visualizations with GIS knowledge. • Excellent oral skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in data and document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including national and international organizations, UN agencies, the diplomatic community, etc. grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; very good interpersonal skills familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• 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.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in information management and child protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Bamako is a non-family duty station for international staff but offers good working conditions in accordance with UN human resources procedures and rules. The security situation in Bamako remains relatively calm. However, all UN staff members are expected to comply with UN rules and procedures as well as the security arrangements in place for the proper performance of their duties.

Mali is a unique country which provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

There is a Rest & Recuperation cycle of 8-weeks.