Child Protection Officer

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

Hardship LevelE (most hardship)

Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location

Residential location (if applicable)

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

GradePR3

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional

* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

ReasonFast Track > Fast Track

Remote work acceptedNo

Target Start Date2023-07-20

Job Posting End DateJuly 27, 2023

Standard Job DescriptionChild Protection Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships UNHCR is committed to the effective protection to children of concern, with children representing more than half of the persons falling under its mandate. UNHCR adopts a rights and community-based approach to address the protection needs of children, with a strong emphasis on inclusion within national child protection, child friendly procedures and working with other sectors to protect children including education. Child protection is recognized as global organizational priority for UNHCR. Dedicated child protection positions are needed to provide technical support to improve UNHCR's operational capacity to deliver effective protection to children, adolescents and youth of concern. The Child Protection Officer is a member of the protection team in a Country or Sub-Office. S/he may report to a Senior Child Protection Officer, Senior (Community-Based) Protection Officer, Head of Sub-Office or to the Assistant Representative for Protection. In smaller Offices, the post may report directly to the Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for child protection staff. S/he provides functional child protection oversight to information management and programme staff. The incumbent works directly with communities and children of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families and communities. The incumbent also acts as an advisor to senior management in designing a child protection strategy that fits within the broader Protection and Solutions Strategy by ensuring that it is based on consultation with persons of concern, including children, adolescents and youth. The incumbent plans and undertakes quality, timely and effective child protection responses in line with UNHCR's Framework for Child Protection, in an age, gender and diversity inclusive manner. The Child Protection Officer will maintain a close working relationship with the Bureau and the Division of International Protection for system-wide coherence. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties Needs Identification, Strategy and Advocacy - Support timely assessment, monitoring, reporting of child protection issues including through multi-sectoral and protection specific assessments and monitoring including the meaningful participation of children, adolescents and youth and lead the analysis of child protection related findings. - Monitor the implementation of UNHCR's Child Protection strategy within the overall Protection and Solutions strategy. - Ensure compliance with UNHCR's child protection policy, priorities and commitments, as well as other aligned policies on age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP), GBV, gender equality, disability and youth empowerment. - In collaboration with partners, assess the capacity of national child protection system and services, work towards the inclusion of children of concern into national child protection laws, policies and services and build the capacity of the national child protection system to provide quality support to children of concern. - Oversee child protection data and evidence collection, analysis and dissemination within UNHCR and partners. - Support the participation of children, adolescents and youth of concern to inform protection and assistance programming, support their engagement in protection solutions and ensure that UNHCR meets its commitments to accountability to children, adolescents and youth of concern. - Ensure that existing protection monitoring mechanisms adequately capture protection risks facing children, adolescents and youth. - Support evidence-based advocacy with UNHCR senior management, authorities and other actors on child protection. Programme planning and implementation - Design and monitor the implementation of UNHCR's child protection programme, including multi-sectoral activities to address the protection needs of children of concern. - Establish/enhance and oversee Best Interests Procedures for children at risk including referral systems, follow-up and monitoring in line with UNHCR Best Interests Procedures Guidelines. - Establish/update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for child protection services in collaboration with partners. - Ensure UNHCR and partners' child protection information management systems are functioning in accordance with UNHCR's Policy and procedure as well as interagency data sharing protocols and standards. - Strengthen community-based child protection programmes and approaches in collaboration with communities and community-based protection colleagues. - In collaboration with UNHCR colleagues, ensure that UNHCR procedures, including registration, refugee status determination, solutions and accountability mechanisms are child-friendly and are in line with AGD approach. - Provide technical support to UNHCR colleagues to effectively mainstream child protection in UNHCR's overall response. - Monitor and refine child protection programs implemented by UNHCR and partners. - Support the integration of child protection in the operation's planning, reporting, communication and fund raising. - Provide functional guidance to UNHCR and partner staff involved in child protection activities. - Advise UNHCR programme and senior management to ensure that the necessary human and financial resources are allocated to protect children of concern. Partnership and coordination - Establish and/or strengthen partnerships for Child Protection with community-based, local, national, and international organizations, with a focus on ensuring continuity and sustainability. - Establish, strengthen and where appropriate lead Child Protection coordination mechanisms, within the broader protection working group/cluster and in consultation with the Senior Protection Officer or Head of Office. - Represent UNHCR's position and priorities in relation to child protection in inter-agency fora. - Contribute to interagency monitoring and reporting on child protection issues and programmes. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building - In collaboration with partners, assess learning needs on child protection for UNHCR teams, partners and government counterparts. - Develop and implement child protection capacity development plan and activities for UNHCR staff and partners, supports relevant interagency capacity building and integrates child protection within broader UNHCR capacity building plans and initiatives. - Provide child protection technical guidance to UNHCR and partner staff in protection, education, health and other relevant sectors. - Introduce innovative approaches, document and disseminate lessons learnt and good practices in child protection and apply relevant knowledge on effective child protection programming to the operation/region. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education International Law, Human Rights, International Development, International Relations, Anthropology, Social Work, Political Science Social Science or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified Relevant Job Experience Essential At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of protection of children, broader protection or social work involving children and youth, with knowledge of issues relating to child protection, education, gender, humanitarian and development issues, and GBV prevention and response. Applied experience in child protection prevention and response. Demonstrated knowledge of and implementation of multi-sectorial child protection prevention and response programming. Knowledge of protection in forced displacement settings, knowledge and demonstrated use of UNHCR and Interagency child protection tools and guidance. Strong experience in interacting with and building partnerships and synergies with UN agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations. Skills and experience in interviewing and working with children and families and supervising staff on case management of at risk children. Desirable Knowledge of the international legal and policy framework governing refugees, asylum seekers and returnees and IDPs. Demonstrated knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches including community-based child protection. Extensive experience in working with children, adolescents and youth and participatory child friendly approaches. Demonstrated coordination and consensus building skills to manage multiple stakeholder consultation processes. Experience managing child protection case management programmes, including implementation of best interests procedures. Demonstrated understanding of critical issues around child protection data and knowledge of safe and ethical data collection analysis and conducting assessments. Experience using ProGres, CPIMS or other protection data management systems. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position and/or interagency child protection learning programme. Demonstrated knowledge of engagement with child protection Interagency humanitarian architecture, experience in interagency coordination and strong skills in working with partners Functional Skills *PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming IT-Computer Literacy DM-Data Management CO-Drafting and Documentation TR-Training - Virtual and face to face PR-Child Protection Case Management and Best Interests Procedures PR-Child Protection Information Management System CO-Cross-cultural communication CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate) (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile The incumbent should have strong competencies of a skillful leader in guiding and supporting Child protection staff, addressing various operational challenges.
He/she should be able to lead discussions with colleagues from numerous partner organizations in the management of child protection matters.
Previous working experience with various stakeholders such as the Government and all key players such as UNICEF and other NGOs to advocate for the rights and protection of Children for better inclusion in all planned humanitarian interventions, is required.
S/he should have previous experience in the region and/or working in complex operations in high-risk duty stations with large scale IDP and returnees (refugees/IDPs).

Given the endemic complexity of the Chad operation, exacerbated by the current L3 emergency, prior working experience in the Sahel region or in a large complex operation, ability to work under extreme pressure, in a highly stressful environment are desirable.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): French

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Since the conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April 2023, and according to the latest figures, Chad currently hosts some 230,000 new arrivals (out of which some 192,473 are already “fixed” or counted), this situation has led to the forced displacement, spread across the provinces of Ouaddai, Sila, Wadifira amd Ennedi Est, mainly in the sub-prefectures of Borota, Amdjerema, and Addé, with the key entry points being the localities of Kulbus, Mahamata, Werwerta, Beida, Andressa/Dogdoré, Moudeina, Sarafbourgou, Mashiborgho and Maguilta. The situation continues to be tense in Sudan, refugees continue to arrive in Chad, fleeing from Darfur region, especially El Geneina and El Fasher cities.

On 17 May 2023, a Level 2 emergency was declared for the neighbouring countries of Sudan, including Chad. Considering the above, and as the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the High Commissioner decided to upgrade the Level 2 emergency to a Level 3 for the Sudan and for the refugee and returnee situation in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.

In this context, the operation in Chad reinforces its offices with the necessary capacities to respond effectively to the protection and assistance needs of the new refugees in the existing and new camps and maintain adequate capacity at the various entry points to continue to assist new arrivals.

The Sub Office of Abeche covers five Field Offices (Amdjarass, Iriba, Goz Beida, Guereda, Farchana), and the newly created Field Unit of Hadjer Hadid.

Candidates applying to positions in Chad should be prepared to work under challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. All the duty stations in Chad are classified E, except N’Djamena which is at D.

The Child Protection Officer P3 will work under the supervision of the Head of Filed Office, P4, and in close collaboration with the Protection team in the different units, field offices within the country.

Living and Working Conditions:

Candidates applying to positions in Chad should be prepared to work under challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. All the duty stations in Chad are classified E, except N’Djamena which is at D.

In terms of working and living conditions, Farchana is a small town that has only very basic infrastructure with very limited leisure and recreational facilities. There are no banking facilities in Farchana. The nearest bank facility is in Abeche where ATMs are also operational. Malaria is prevalent and all staff need to be vigilant by taking the relevant measures. Farchana is an E non-family location. There are also very limited health facilities available locally.
UNHCR managed guest houses provide and facilitate accommodation to UNHCR staff.
All communications within the office and with external partners such as Government and humanitarian agencies are conducted in French. Fluent French (both written and spoken) is essential for this position. However, working knowledge of English, especially written, is also required as reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English.
R&R circle is every 8 weeks.

There are specific security measures to be taken into consideration. Aside from the mandatory security briefing provided to the staff upon arrival in N’Djamena with specific location information and requirements:

• All UN personnel must complete their BSAFE training online
• Per the classification of roads, all road movements between cities should be accompanied by an armed escort in the SRM East zone. These movements are conditioned by a granted security clearance through TRIP
• Unless exceptionally allowed all road movements between cities must be started after 6 a.m. and completed by 6 p.m.
• All movements of UNSMS vehicles in Abeche are allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m, while all movements of UNSMS vehicles in Farchana, Goz Beida, Iriba, Amdjarass and Guéréda are allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

  Additional Qualifications

  SkillsCL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Cross-cultural communication, CO-Drafting and Documentation, DM-Data Management, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Stakeholder management and coordination with Implementing Partners (Gov/NGO/Corporate), PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Child Protection Case Management and Best Interests Procedures, PR-Child Protection Information Management System, PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming, TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

  EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Anthropology (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Human Rights (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Development (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Law (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Social Work (Required)

  Certifications

  Work Experience

  CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

  UNHCR Salary Calculator

  https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

  Compendium FT for the Sudan Situation

  Additional Information

  Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance