UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, protection.

II. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

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.

Positioned among East, West, and North Africa, and close to the Middle East, Sudan is surrounded by pre-existing crisis and complex emergencies in an unpredictable, volatile and rapidly evolving region. By size the third biggest country in Africa, with a diverse population of around 42 million people. Sudan’s children make up half of the total population, and the past two decades have seen their lives significantly improve: fewer girls and boys are dying before their fifth birthday, primary school attendance is increasing, immunization coverage is high and the country remains polio free.

Recent developments, such as the 2019 revolution, the global Covid-19-pandemic, created new challenges and opportunities. The space for civic engagement including notably for youth and women’s groups, widened and presented a space for new types of engagement. In addition, following the ousting of the previous regime, strides were made for legal reform and policy development providing a stronger framework for realizing the rights of girls and women.

The military coup of 25 October 2021 brought about a more fluid environment with uncertainties in the implementation landscape.

Heavy fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on 15 April 2023, displacing more than 2.6 million people within Sudan, and additional

757,000 people to neighboring countries. Millions of the most vulnerable children and families are caught in the crossfire with no or limited access to essential services including water, food, healthcare, and safety.

The first 10 months of 2023 has witnessed a four-fold increase in the number of grave child rights violations verified in Sudan, as compared to 2022 figures reported in the 2022 UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, including sexual violence

UNICEF is implementing interventions to address response, mitigation, and prevention of gender-based violence, alongside the nexus humanitarian-peace-development.

Job organizational context:

Purpose for the job:

As part of UNICEF’s Core Commitment for Children in Humanitarian Action, the Country office is expected to actively contribute to GBV coordination structures within the Humanitarian Cluster approach as well as address GBV from a programming perspective, within the child protection system strengthening approach.

To fulfill this function, under the overall guidance and the supervision of the Child Protection /GBV Officer, and dot lines with the GBV Specialist, the Child protection Officer (GBV) support the field office of UNICEF in Atbara, covering River Nile and Northern State, and Implementing Partners (IP) on planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination, of GBV mitigation, prevention and response alongside the nexus humanitarian-peace- development, throughout all stages of programming.

This will include strengthening synergies with existing programs on GBV prevention, namely the joint initiative promoting abandonment of harmful practices, and with case management services for child and adolescent survivors.  S/he will ensure to strengthen local systems and capacities in alignment to UNICEF’s 2022-2025 Gender Action and Strategic Plans. The incumbent will work collaboratively with regional government and non-government partners as well as CSOs, UN agencies and the GBV AoR.

The Child Protection Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the child protection programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Programme within the Country Programme.

How can you make a difference? 

III. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1.  Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

1. Support to programme development and planning

•  Research and analyze regional and national political, protection, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
• Facilitate the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection programmes and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programmeming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.
• Prepare required documentations and materials 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 collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and to submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record 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 the government and other counterparts, and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.

•  Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity.
•  Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

• Provide technical support to enhance the quality of data collection on GBViE through the analysis of periodic assessments led by the Government, GBV AoR and interagency assessments including the Displacement Tracking Matrix (with protection components).
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits of GBViE program implementation to ensure interventions are implemented as planned, source beneficiary feedbacks, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and document best practices; and outcomes to inform timely programming decision-making.
• Ensure GBViE is included in programs targeting the needs of separated and Unaccompanied and separated Children (UASC), vulnerable children and children associated with armed groups and forces.
• Contribute to the development of concept notes, proposals, program donor reports, SitRep, budgets and advocacy briefing notes/materials.
• Support management of Direct Cash Transfers (DCT) to partners and compliance of Ips with UNICEF harmonized approach to cash transfers (HACT) procedures.

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

•  Undertake field visits and surveys, and collect and share reports with partners and stakeholders.
•  Assess progress and provide technical support and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution.
•  Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
•  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.

• Facilitate GBViE technical program discussions and support program design, planning and implementation interventions with partners, Government counterparts and GBV AoR members in line with the humanitarian  response plan and UNICEF’s gender equality programming priorities.
• Participate in the Health Cluster planning processes and provide technical input to ensure GBV response activities are reflected within the cluster plans, including the strengthening of One-Stop-Center (OSC) response, referrals, and coordination services and GBV services within health facilities; 
• Contribute to the development, adaptation, review and rollout of training materials, guidelines, standard operating procedures, and other documents pertaining to GBViE in the local context.
• Support the provision of capacity-building for GBV frontline workers and healthcare staff on GBV-related activities including case management, clinical management of GBV survivors and PSEA.
• Compile and submit monthly activity work plans, weekly and monthly reports and cash projections.

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 in the planning processes of UNICEF-led cluster programming interventions (Education, Health, Nutrition, WASH and Child Protection) to ensure GBV risk mitigation measures are reflected.
• Work closely with Social Behavior Change team to develop and circulate GBViE behavior change communications materials.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with GBV AoR member institutions, humanitarian agencies, governmental counterparts, and UN agencies; ensuring UNICEF jointly works together with these stakeholders to address GBV in River Nile and Northern State.

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, benchmark and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.
• Work closely with GBV AoR members and stakeholders on strengthening safe and ethical monitoring of conflict-related sexual violence; as well as learning exchanges and capacity building to promote consistency, quality, and safe and ethical practices.
• Support UNICEF-supported IPs to develop institutional improvement and continuous professional development plans including documentation of good practices, learning exchanges, refresher training and information sharing forums.

IV. Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Child Protection Officer to programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence, particularly GBV, and ensures their survival, development and well being in society. Success in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  Child Protection Officer Level 2_ Child Protection – GBV_Dongola.doc

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

VII. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.

Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in of GBV related areas is required.

Relevant experience in program development in GBV or related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.

Experience working in a conflict-affected context is an asset.

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

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

VI. UNICEF values and competency Required (based on the updated Framework)

i) Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

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)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 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 is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.