Programme Specialist (Children Exploitation and Abuse), P4, Damascus, Syria CO (Subject to Classification)

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, 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

You know more about Unicef Programmes and how we drive change for children and young people every day, in Syria, click on the following link: www.unicef.org/syria

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Specialist will directly report to the UNICEF Representative – with direct engagement with the Resident Coordinator and her/his Office, and dotted line to the co-lead for PCEA: UNHCR Representative.

The Programme Specialist will develop and implement the UN Prevention of Children Exploitation and Abuse (PCEA) Action Plan, which focuses on scaling up and taking forward the UN’s prevention and response efforts to children exploitation and abuse. This will include conceptualizing and implementing PCEA prevention activities, responding to alleged PCEA cases that are reported (including reporting, investigating, and ensuring appropriate victim support), leading the inputs towards and liaising with the PCEA Taskforce and other inter-agency bodies addressing PCEA and making contributions to inter-agency PCEA response and monitoring, liaising with UN senior management at national, regional, and international levels on the same.

The Programme Specialist will be also responsible for building the capacity of UN staff, consultants, volunteers, and implementing partners on PCEA by providing dedicated technical assistance to the country office, designing, and implementing targeted capacity building activities for UN staff and partners across different sectors, producing and disseminating relevant technical guidance, tools, and resources.

Additionally, in support of the UNHCR and UNICEF co-chairs of the PEA In-Country Network, the Programme Specialist will also provide substantive support to ensure that PCEA is meaningfully addressed at the UNCT and HCT meetings. The Programme Specialist will present regular reports to the RC/HC and the Co-Chairs and quarterly reports to the UNCT and/or HCT.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Internal capacity building and technical support.
• Inter-agency Tasks & Accountabilities.
• Victim/Survivor assistance
• Reporting & Information Management
• Knowledge generation & planning

To view the full job profile, hold on Ctrl & double click the following link: ToR - Programme Speicalist PCEA Damascus Syria.pdf

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

• Education: Advanced university degree or equivalent in International Development, Human Rights, International Law, public health, the social sciences or other relevant field related to GBViE in emergency programming.
• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in designing, implementation, and management of protection, GBV and PEA, preferably with the UN.
• Experience working in humanitarian and acute emergency contexts.
• Familiarity with the latest development in PEA, inter-agency PCEA responses and humanitarian cluster systems e.g HCT is an asset.
• Experience in and knowledge of UN and IASC policies and guidance related but not limited to PEA, AAP, GBV and Centrality of Protection.
• Proven success in developing and facilitating training and capacity-building activities on PEA.
• Experience developing complaint mechanisms as well as reporting and investigation procedures.
• Proven research skills and demonstrated expertise in analysis and development of technical papers, as well as programmatic guidance related to violence against children and women, in particular gender and child protection is an asset.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills as well as networking & advocacy skills.
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

Core Competencies

• 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)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: Here

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

Remarks

** This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

** This position is considered as “rotational” which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

** This is a fixed term position with limited duration of 24 months.

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.

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance. 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.