Child Protection Specialist (Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies)

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, an advocate

The Tigray region of Ethiopia has been affected by armed conflict since late 2020 and the ongoing conflict has had grave consequences for civilians.  The deteriorating situation, including limited humanitarian access and the breakdown of pre-existing protection systems, both formal and informal, has had devastating impacts on the protection of children.  Gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence used by perpetrators of the conflict, has been a devastating feature of the conflict, as documented by multiple sources.

UNICEF has been present in Tigray throughout the conflict and is committed to improving the prevention and response to all forms of violence, particularly of violence against children and gendered violence.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Chief of Field Office the for Tigray  (matrix reporting line to Chief Child Protection in Addis Ababa) the Child Protection Specialist(GBViE), in close collaboration and communication with Child Protection Specialists and Programme Officers at regional level, the Programme Coordinator and other sectors’ coordinators, will be responsible for the following key functions, accountabilities and related duties and tasks:

1. Technical support on delivery of child protection and GBV in emergencies programming

• Provide UNICEF and partner staff with high quality advice and guidance on the delivery of child protection and GBV programming in Tigray.
• Provide support to UNICEF field office staff in the monitoring and oversight of child protection and GBV humanitarian programming in Tigray, including monitoring of partnerships, partnerships, supplies and cash.
• Ensure timely and accurate communication of programme results, challenges, and gaps in service provision to relevant stakeholders, including UNICEF colleagues, to improve the protection of children in Tigray.
• Assess availability and coverage, accessibility, and quality of UNICEF partner interventions on child protection and GBV interventions and provide guidance on continuous improvements and adaptations to improve response, as required.
• Work closely with Child Protection and GBViE staff in Tigray sub offices to align messaging and streamline communication and coordination.

2. Programme support and management

• Management of staff under supervision including NOC CP, NOC GBV and NOA CP, ensuring coordination with CP and GBV staff of sub-office and working closely with the CP AoR coordinator.
• Support UNICEF Country Office on planning, coordination, and fundraising by providing up-to-date and accurate information and analysis on the situation of child protection and GBV in Tigray.

• Lead on protection mainstreaming efforts within UNICEF humanitarian programming, including embedding GBV and SEA risk mitigation into all sectors.
• Lead on the collection of relevant data to support monitoring on child protection and GBV within Tigray and in support of Country Office processes, including Humanitarian Action for Children, and requirements from donors.
• Participate in planning exercises, including contingency planning, scaling up, and access mapping.

3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Participate and represent UNICEF in interagency coordination mechanisms, including the Child Protection Area of Responsibility and the GBV Area of Responsibility, and support interagency assessments, mapping exercises, gap identification, and collective advocacy on child protection and GBV in Tigray.
• Liaise with humanitarian actors in Tigray to gather information relevant to child protection and GBV, including on the accessibility and availability of child protection and GBV services as well as opportunities to enhance prevention of violence interventions.
• Coordinate with UNICEF Country Office colleagues in Child Protection on strategy development, programme design, partner selection, and monitoring of interventions.
• Contribute to UNICEF communications efforts, both internal and external, on child protection and GBV in Tigray, ensuring safe and ethical use of information and data.

4. Leadership and capacity building

• Design and deliver capacity building, including but not limited to training, on child protection and GBV in emergencies for humanitarian actors, UNICEF staff and partners, Government officials, and other stakeholders.
• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practice on child protection and GBV in emergencies, exploring innovative solutions to challenges faced in armed conflict.
• Contribute to organizational learning and development on delivering child protection and GFBV programming in conflict-affected crises.

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

• An advanced university degree in social sciences, international development and international relations, humanitarian affairs or another directly related subjects. *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and relevant experience at international levels in child protection and/or GBV in emergencies, with a preference for a combination of both technical areas.
• Experience implementing evidence-based child protection and specifically GBV interventions in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Knowledge of global trends in child protection and GBV in emergencies, including children affected by armed conflict and conflict related sexual violence and the use of evidence to improve programming
• Familiarity with child protection and GBV in emergencies tools, including Minimum Standards on Child Protection in Emergencies, Minimum Standards on GBV in Emergencies, IASC GBV Guidelines, and the GBV Pocket guide.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills and ability to make decisions in a complex and dynamic environment.
• Experience designing and delivering capacity building and ability to mentor others through effective leadership.
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate and collaborate in an interagency humanitarian response, including liaising with UN agencies, NGOs, government officials, key stakeholders, including affected communities.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child you demonstrate …

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) and

UNICEF Core Competencies of..

• 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)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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:

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