Organization: UN Children"s Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 11 Jun 2015
Purpose of the Position
Under the general guidance of the Associate Director, Child Protection, the incumbent will:
a) Develop, implement, manage and monitor strategies to strengthen child protection systems across contexts (including humanitarian), with the aim of improving protection results for children in line with Outcome 6 of the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan. While the understanding is still evolving, child protection systems encompass a number of elements ranging from legal and policy frameworks, provision of services to the provision of human and financial resources. Well-functioning and resourced systems support improved prevention, early detection and response to violence, exploitation and abuse. Specific areas of work include establishing financial benchmarks and costing, support to those without adequate parental care, children in contact with the law, children who are migrating and those who are trafficked, and those requiring birth registration.
b) Actively disseminate successful efforts and work closely with partners, donors, regional and country offices, to improve systems across contexts (including humanitarian) and advocacy and technical support such that protection of children and families is institutionalised in key financing and coordination mechanisms for children at global and regional level.
c) Provide policy guidance and technical support at organisational level, to Regional and Country Offices in the following specific areas birth registration, children without adequate parental care, children in contact with the law, children who are migrating, financing and costing, and information management and strengthening systems in humanitarian and transition contexts. All of these areas take place across contexts, including humanitarian.
d) Support programme and administrative coordination in key areas within the Child Protection Section, other sections in Programme Division, and other divisions other key actors.
Key Expected Results
Programme Policy Formulation
Based on the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan and 2008 Child Protection strategy, assist in the formulation, refinement, adaptation and articulation of global strategies and approaches as they relate to child protection systems across contexts including humanitarian. Specific emphasis on deepening the understanding of child protection systems and their results, developing networks with academics and policy makers, promotion of child protection systems and strengthening attention to child protection within the agendas of the international community.
End Result(s):
Solid understanding, based on evidence, of the impact of child protection systems on children established throughout the organisation, and UNICEF positioned as a leader in this field.
Technical Assistance/Support to Programme Implementation
Provide technical support, either directly or through staff members or consultants, to regional offices, country offices, Child protection officers, Social Protection, Justice, HIV/AIDS, Alternative Care and other related networks within and beyond UNICEF, as well as, RMTs and country offices for situation analysis, strategy formulation, project and programme development, assessment of programme recommendations and programme evaluation.
End Result(s):
Strengthened capacity at country and regional levels to effectively operationalise the child protection systems aspect of the child protection strategy.
Global Partnerships and Advocacy
Strengthen collaboration with key partners of UNICEF at the global level, including U.N. agencies, the World Bank, regional International Financial Institutions (IFIs) (e.g. IDB, AfDB, ADB), HCCH, NGOs, academic and for profit institutions, and work towards increasing understanding and common action around CP concerns, particularly in the area of CP systems. Provide information to relevant media, research groups and similar agencies and NGOs in areas covered by the team. Membership in steering committees of related child protection actors, and contribution to the section on its promotion and mainstreaming of child protection.
End Result(s):
Partnerships bring about a mutually reinforcing understanding of child protection objectives, evidenced through use of multiple agency resources; key partners are engaged proactively on issues related to protecting children, and these partnerships and resources are leveraged to achieve greater results for children.
Knowledge Acquisition
Promote partnerships and develop models for collection and analysis of information with regard to child protection systems and related protection outcomes for children. Use evidence-base for developing policy positions, strengthening networks and fostering action at national, regional and global levels.
End Result(s):
Solid foundation of evidence and tools on social welfare and justice, that can contribute to robust policy making
Leveraging Resources and Financial Management
Provide inputs for the development of project proposals and take other actions to leverage funds for the areas of responsibility. Manage effectively those funds under the direct responsibility of the cluster.
End Result(s):
Funds will be leveraged for the team as well as the section as a whole, with the funds in the social welfare and justice systems team managed effectively and efficiently.
Team Leadership and Supervision
Provide supervision to team staff members, ensuring progress against annual work plan, fostering professional growth and attainment of results. This includes participation in the preparation of programme reports and other documents required by Management, the Executive Board, donors, etc. It also includes participation in overall UNICEF strategy directions and engaging the team on the same.
End Result(s):
An effective and efficient team, demonstrated through the realization of activities in line with AWP and timely accomplishment of section tasks.
Co-ordination of Scale Up
Contribute to the overall efforts of CP section across teams to contribute to scaling up of CP approaches at country and regional levels, particularly in relation to child protection systems.
End Result(s):
Technical advice to senior management will result in heightened advocacy around the work of child protection systems.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
- Advanced university degree in social sciences, preferably with some specialised training in development studies, education, social welfare, community development, anthropology, or international humanitarian law. Knowledge of economics would be an asset.*
- At least ten years of relevant experience in programming and advisory roles relevant to Child Protection, with at least 10 years international experience in developing countries, with UNICEF or other international development agencies, or NGOs. Background/familiarity with emergency and security.
- Fluency in English and another UN language.
*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
- Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.
- Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment.
- Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget.
- Has high-level leadership and supervisory skills; provides others with a clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching.
- Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization’s future potential.
- Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
- Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups. Actively nurtures good relationships with people across all organizational levels and boundaries, and with government leaders and stakeholders.
- Identifies urgent and potentially risky decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates organization-wide activities.
- Negotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.
Remarks
This is an extension of the application deadline in order to expand the candidate pool. Previous applicants need not reapply as their original application will be duly considered.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.
Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies. Applications must be received by 11-Jun-15
Vacancy position link:
Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.
In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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