Vacancy – Child Protection Officer (TA)

UNICEF FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE.  VACANCY NOTICE VB/14-003

If you are a committed and creative individual and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. 

For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Sierra Leoneans for consideration to the following post:

Post:  Child Protection Officer (TA)                             

Level:  NOC (Justice for Children, Birth Registration)

Duty Station:     Freetown                     

Date Required:  Immediately

Duration:  364 days

Under the supervision of the Child Protection Chief, and in close coordination with the TA Child Protection Specialist (L3) the CP Officer will work to strengthen programmes for children in contact and conflict with the law, including the implementation of the National Child Justice Strategy (2013-2017)at national and decentralised levels.  The CP Officer will also focus on strengthening birth and civil registration systems at national and sub-national level.

Major duties and responsibilities

1. Design, prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate birth registration and child justice programme components.  The birth registration priorities are based on recommendations from the birth registration assessment that took place in February 2014, and the Child Justice priorities are based on the National Child Justice Strategy (2013 – 2017) both within the broader scope of social welfare, social protection, and rule of law and security initiatives in Sierra Leone;
2. Provide technical support and guidance to support the strengthening of birth and death registration systems, and its integration into civil registration and vital statistics.  This includes development of results based monitoring systems at national, district and Peripheral Health Unit level;
3. Provide technical support and guidance in the design, planning, monitoring and implementation of diversion models, alternatives to detention, rehabilitation and reintegration at the district and community levels (with particular focus on informal justice) in the context of the wider child protection system building. Specific task will include technical support to the government to implement the National Child Justice Strategy and to develop and operationalize a national diversion policy; and to support relevant institutions/programmes to promote child friendliness in justice procedures and guidelines;
4. Analyze existing information and collect data on birth registration and child justice issues to build the knowledge base on the situation of children for advocacy and policy dialogue with Government as well as to inform the design of national programmes;
5. Provide technical expertise to relevant government institutions including Ministry of Health and Social Services, Interior, Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs, Judiciary, Justice Sector Coordination Office and the Sierra Leonean Police to review and develop policies, laws and regulatory frameworks and guidelines;
6. Represent UNICEF in meetings with Government as well as multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies, Birth Registration Task Force and Civil Registration Task Force and donor coordination meetings, to advocate and promote child-friendly justice policies and strategies and improve birth/death registration. Contribute towards strengthening partnerships with Government partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the area of Justice for Children;
7. Undertake field visits to monitor programmes, as well as conduct periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.  Provide technical advice and assistance to government officials, NGOs and other partners in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme(s).
8. Prepare programme/project status reports, donor reports, programme analysis, annual reports, etc and develop project proposals as required

NOTE:  

UNICEF IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT

UNICEF is committed to diversity and gender equality in its workplace.

Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply

Qualification and Experience:             

Education:  Advanced university degree in Social Science, preferably in (International) Law, social/child welfare, social work, or related technical field and practical experience in international development

Work Experience:

• Five years of progressively responsible professional work experience, preferably in the African context, at national and international levels in programme planning, management, monitoring and evaluation, with regard to child protection, with an emphasis on child justice and/or birth registration.
• Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following: child protection systems approach, birth registration, improving justice for children, and in use of data and indicators in child protection.

• At least 2 years of experience working in Africa. Living in West Africa in the region is an asset.
• Knowledge of environment in which UNICEF operates, and understanding of the constraints of working in a developing-world environment

Language:  Fluency in English and another UN language required. Knowledge of the local working language of the duty station is an asset.

Other Competencies & Skills:

• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in related fields.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Supervisory and managerial skills.
• Leadership and teamwork abilities.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.

Applications should be forwarded under confidential cover marked “Application VB/14003Child Protection Officer (Justice for Children, Birth Registration)” complete with an up-to-date c.v. and names and email addresses of two referees (non- relatives) to reach the Chief of Operations, UNICEF, Central Medical Stores Compound, New England, Freetown on or before Wednesday 26 February 2014.

Applications can also be sent to: srlrecruitment@unicef.org.When sending to this mailbox, please ensure that “Application VB/14-003Child Protection Officer (Justice for Children, Birth Registration)” is quoted on the subject line.

The Personal History Form (P11) in MS Word format can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html.

Please note that acknowledgement of application will be extended only to short-listed candidates.

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