Child Protection Specialist (Child Protection in Humanitarian Action/ Children Affected by Armed Con  

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 fulfil 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.

How can you make a difference?

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:

1- Provide technical advice to country offices on MRM and programming related to children associated to armed forces and groups (CAAFAG):

2- 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.

3- 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)

4- Capacity building on child protection in humanitarian action with special focus on programming for children affected by armed conflict

5- 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.

Special Requirements

The candidate should be able to travel regularly and, when needed for several weeks (in case of surge or any rapid response requirement) and ready to work in constrained and stressful environments. 

UNICEF gives the utmost importance to staff security and wellbeing.  Given the nature of the work (child protection humanitarian action) the candidate should be aware of the stress that may result from the core functions of the post.

For every Child, you demonstrate?

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

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
• Nurtures, Leads and Managers People (1) – for supervisory roles only

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

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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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