Child Protection Officer, NO-A, FT, Antananarivo, Madagascar #129221

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, safety

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, 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.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job:

Under the overall direction and guidance of the Child Protection Specialist P3, the Child Protection Officer will provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process of the Child Protection Programme of UNICEF in Madagascar, namely on the enabling environment for child protection, namely contributing to a legal, institutional and policy environment conducive to the prevention and response to all forms of violence against children, including in emergency situation.

In particular, the Child Protection Officer will support the Child Protection Specialist in the implementation of the results expected in the fields of:

– Promotion of Birth Registration at Birth,
– Review, collection of data and analysis of the legal framework on Child Protection in Madagascar,
– Advocacy of Child Protection in Madagascar,
– The effective participation of children in individual child protection case management or in the process of elaboration of child protection policy, legislation, or programs.,
– The CP Officer may be asked to provide support to additional activities implemented under output 1 related to planning and budgeting, information management systems, sector coordination for child protection.

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.

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

Technical requirements: 

The post holder must demonstrate good knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Development and humanitarian architecture, cluster approach and core functions

Development and humanitarian principles, standards and guidelines

Understanding and knowledge of social work and case management principles, standards, concepts, tools and resources.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  CP Officer, NOA, FT,129221.doc

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

• A university degree (Bachelor) in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, social work, international law, programme management or another relevant field.
• A minimum of one (01) years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an advantage: civil/birth registration, information management for child protection, sector coordination for child protection, planning/budgeting for social sectors.

• Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

• Fluency in French is required. Working knowledge of English is an added advantage.

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…

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)
• Drives 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.  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:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

For this position, eligible and suitable Female Candidates 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.