Child Protection Specialist

The Child Protection Specialist works in the Regional Child Protection team under the direct supervision of the Regional Child Protection Advisor. The post is designed to co-lead child protection in humanitarian action with focus on 7 Children and Armed Conflict situation (Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Palestine, Yemen), forced displacement of over 14 million children and several migration routes exposing children to separation, detention, exploitation and death. The objective is to provide high level technical assistance to country offices, in compliance with sector standards and the UNICEF core commitment for children in humanitarian action.  The job holder will co-design programme solutions informed by evidence, in collaboration with key stakeholders. 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The incumbent will be accountable for ensuring that child protection humanitarian action in the MENA region is designed and implemented in line with sector standards, International Humanitarian Law, and International Human Rights Law.  This will be done through high-quality, solutions oriented technical assistance to country offices and partners, informed by data and evidence.   The Child Protection specialist will be accountable for co-designing practical solutions and supporting advocacy under the leadership of concerned country representatives and the Regional Director/ Deputy Regional Director:

• Provide technical advice to country offices on MRM and programming related to children associated to armed forces and groups (CAAFAG):
• Provide technical advice to country offices, governments, and partners on the child rights-based and evidence-informed approach to care, protection, and reintegration of children in the context of national security and counterterrorism.
• Provide technical advice to country offices, governments, and partners aimed at creating a continuum of care and protection for children on the move (including those forcibly displaced)
• Capacity building on child protection in humanitarian action with special focus on programming for children affected by armed conflict
• Technical support to country office in the design of humanitarian planning and response in line with UNICEF’s CCCs for child protection and the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

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

Education:

• An advanced 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 eight years of professional experience in child protection programming, coordination and advocacy in humanitarian action, children affected by armed conflict and displacement at international level is required.
• Expertise in CAAFAG programming (prevention and reintegration), engagement with non-state armed groups/ governments and MRM are essential for this post.
• Excellent understanding of humanitarian planning (HAC, HRPs)
• Good understanding of the children on the move agenda supported by concrete experience working with other UN Agencies is an asset.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of Arabic is considered as an asset.

Source:  https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/570690