Vacancy notice:Child Protection Specialist

VACANCY NOTICE

DUTY STATION:  UNICEF Yaounde Type of contract : FT Appointment Title:  Child Protection Specialist Level: NOC Duration : One year renewable	As per UNICEF rules and regulations
PURPOSE OF POST: The Specialist supports the Chief for developing and preparing child protection (and/or integrated/complex/key) programs/projects, advocating for key priorities with government and civil society partners, contributing to knowledge development/innovation. The Specialist contributes to provide technical guidance/operational support throughout all stages of programming to facilitate the management and delivery of concrete and sustainable UNICEF contribution 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/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies. The Specialist contributes to achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/projects results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM) and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework. Main areas of responsibilities: justice for children (including in emergency), civil registration, support the establishment of national coordination (including in emergency if requested) and policy development.	REPORTS TO: Chief Child Protection
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS  1.  Program development and planning Under the guidance of the Chief Protection plan and provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence based data on child protection issues are available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans. Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection programs/projects. Under the guidance of the Chief Protection support the formulation, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF’s Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies. Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for specific components of the programme using on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval. Work closely and collaboratively with internal colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and support the determination of national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results. §  Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated in the main areas of responsibility 2.  Program management, monitoring and quality control of results Under the guidance of the chief protection plan and/or collaborate with monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in child protection programs, specifically concerning the key areas of responsibility. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action/interventions to achieve results in the key areas of responsibility. Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in the main programmatic areas of responsibility, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals. Monitor programs/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. Plan, monitor and control the use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources. §  Submit/prepare program/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on program progress and critical issues 3.  Advisory services and technical support Under the guidance of the chief protection provide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on the main areas of responsibility and child protection to support program development planning, implementation and delivery of results. Under the guidance of the chief protection participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for advancing the child protection programme particularly in the main areas of responsibility. Under the guidance of the chief protection prepare policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials on justice for children, birth registration, child protection policy for management use, information and consideration. Participate in country discussions on child protection emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate response are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations. 4.  Advocacy, networking and partnership building Under the guidance of the chief protection build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, NGOs, funding organization, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on child protection. Under the guidance of the chief protection and in collaboration with the communication and C4D programmes prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances for sustainable results Support fund raising for child protection programs and emergency interventions. ·       Under the guidance of the chief protection participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency discussions and planning on child protection and related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues UNDAF planning and preparation of programs/projects including emergency preparedness 5.  Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building Under the guidance of chief protection promote innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable child protection programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services. Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects. §  Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on child protection and related programs/projects
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: Education: An Advanced University degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required. Work Experience: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the national level is required. Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset. Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage. Languages: Fluency in French and English is required	Competencies: i) Core Values (Required) • Commitment       • Diversity and Inclusion      • Integrity ii)  Core Competencies (Required) •  Communication  •  Working with People  •  Drive for Results  iv)  Functional Competencies (Required) •  Leading and supervising •  Formulating strategies/concepts •  Analyzing •  Relating and networking •  Deciding and initiating action •  Applying Technical Expertise
Deadline for receiving applications at UNICEF Yaounde, Maroua, Bertoua and Douala desk front is 08th February 2016. Applications could also be sent through mail Post (sending date would be considered) or via email address yaoundehr@unicef.org. Completed files (Letter of motivation, CV, copy of diplomas, P11 form  (to be collected at UNICEF)  References etc.) to be addressed with the mention “DO NOT OPEN” with the post title on the envelope to the attention of: CHIEF OPERATIONS UNICEF P.O.Box 1181 Yaoundé The submission and processing of candidates’ files are free of charge. UNICEF is not liable for any amount of money paid by a candidate as part of this recruitment. Only qualified and short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. UNICEF is a smoke-free environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.