Re-advertised: Child Protection Officer-MHPSS, NO-B, Prague, Czech Republic (For Czech Nationals Only)

Contract

This is a NO-2 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-2 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, a Champion.

The Level 3 Scale-up for Ukraine was activated effective 5 March 2022, for an initial period of six months. With the activation of the procedure, UNICEF has adopted a no-regrets approach in view of the complex situation and increasing humanitarian needs, to ensure that UNICEF continues to provide life-saving response for the children and women in Ukraine in line with the CCCs. The recent escalation in the armed conflict in Ukraine poses an immediate threat to the lives and wellbeing of the country’s 7.5 million children. The intensification of the armed conflict is posing severe human costs, causing a growing number of civilian and children casualties, interrupting livelihoods and damaging critical civilian infrastructure, including hundreds of homes, water and sanitation infrastructure, schools and health facilities. Hundreds of thousands of children and their families have been internally displaced and, to-date, over one million forced to flee the country in search of safety – the majority are women and children.

In response, UNICEF has already mobilized organization-wide support. However, the deteriorating situation and complex operating environment requires strengthened capacity and sustained efforts to further expand our presence and work in those parts of the country that can be safely accessed, to strengthen our cluster and overall humanitarian leadership, and to continue scaling-up our humanitarian action, with priority focus on child protection, health, WASH, nutrition, learning, cash interventions and social protection efforts. UNICEF is also coordinating with refugee hosting countries to prepare and respond to the humanitarian needs emerging from population movements.

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results
3. Advisory services and technical support
4. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

More detailed info can be found on the document JD for Child Protection officer NO-B.docx

1. Support to programme development and planning

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design and management of child protection related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (e.g. economic, social, health) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, analysis and reporting of child protection and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical, programme, operational, and administrative transactions, preparing related materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of results.
• Participate in strategic programme discussions on MHPSS and child protection programming. Support Country offices and MHPSS Specialists to formulate, design and prepare programme/project proposals for the sector, ensuring alignment with 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.
• Prepare required programme documentations, materials and data to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects, and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations, procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues and findings to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
• Central planning and scheduling of UNICEF MHPSS related activities to ensure delivery: developing and communicating work-plans and schedules to relevant internal and external UNICEF sectors and stakeholders, overseeing initiation, timely preparation, and effective coordination for upcoming and planned activities.
• Ensure cross-cutting issues are integrated in MHPSS UNICEF programming and MHPSS is harmonized with other UNICEF sectors initiatives and programs mainstreams, e.g. Health, Education, GBV, Communications, WASH and GBV.
• Coordinate the collection of data, assessment and analysis on MHPSS needs among war affected populations in Czech with an aim to inform project development and implementation.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical guidance and operational support to MHPSS Specialist in Country Offices, 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 MHPSS and child protection related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results.
• Map existing service provisions for MHPSS relevant to populations of concern with an aim at establishing a referral system and relevant partnerships.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in child protection, to support programme implementation.

4. Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of child protection programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programmes.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on MHPSS and child protection related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on planning and preparation of programmes/projects. Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the rocess for development planning and agenda setting.
• Participate and support the coordination of the activities with the relevant response thematic groups in Poland, such as MHPSS Technical Working Group, Child Protection and Education Working Groups.
• Ensure and facilitate close coordination and liaison with all technical MHPSS-related governmental and non-governmental counterparts. Liaise on specific MHPSS issues with national technical bodies and professionals, including Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, both at central and municipality levels, in coordination with the relevant colleagues.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Research and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and support in implementation of best practices in MHPSS for children and families in humanitarian settings across sectors. Assess, institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of COs and stakeholders to promote sustainable results in MHPSS for children and families, child protection and related programmes/projects.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

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

Education:

A university degree in one of the following fields is required: psychology, sociology or another relevant social science field. Candidate with significant experience in Mental Health and/or Psychosocial Support with other university degrees would be considered as well.

Experience:

A minimum of two years of professional experience in the following fields: management in Mental Health and Psychological support for children and families, social development planning, psychology, sociology and/or other child protection related areas in social science field is required.

Experience of research in the health, social welfare, mental health and service in Czech Republic, as well as experience of working with Governments, UN agencies and NGOs would be considered as an asset.

Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Czech language is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or Ukraine language is 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 (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• 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)

To view our competency framework, please visit Competency Framework Brochure (New).pdf

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.

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.

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.

Remarks:

Open for Czech citizens only!!!

UNICEF appointments are subject to 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.