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, a Protection 

The position aims to manage, implement, monitor, report on, and evaluate child protection programmes and projects in the field, focusing on child protection within a humanitarian context and the development nexus. The position provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. It will facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts aimed at creating a protective environment for children against all harm and safeguarding their rights to survival, development, and well-being, as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties and frameworks, and UN intergovernmental bodies. 

The position will enhance child protection coordination at the subnational level by leading the child protection area of responsibility (CPAoR) in close partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and SCCW.

The Specialist contributes to achievement according to the annual plans, allocation, results management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

Program management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence, and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in child protection programs.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews, and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and determine the required action/interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare/assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths/weaknesses in program and management, identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Actively monitor programs/projects through field visits, surveys, and/or information exchange with partners/stakeholders to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems, and make timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Monitor and verify the optimum/appropriate use of sectoral program resources (financial, administrative, and other assets), confirming compliance with organizational rules, regulations/procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity and ensuring timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Prepare regular/mandated program/project reports for management, donors, and partners to inform them of program progress.

Technical and operational support to program implementation

• Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and country office partners/donors on interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices and approaches on child protection and related issues to support program management, implementation, and delivery of results in the area of Children in Armed Conflict, with a specific focus on CRM, DDR. and Mine Action. Arrange/coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely/appropriate support throughout the programming/projects process.
• Participate in child protection program meetings, including program development and contingency planning discussions on emergency preparedness in the country or other locations designated to provide technical and operational information, advice, and support.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information and/or consideration.

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain effective, close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, and global partners/allies/donors/academia through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge/expertise, and reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results in child protection.
• Prepare communication and information materials for program advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances, and support fund-raising for child protection programs and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection and related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programs/projects ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. 

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Apply/introduce innovative approaches and good practices to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable program results.
• Keep abreast of, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
• Organize and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results in child protection and related programs/projects.

Subnational Coordination of the Child Protection Area of Responsibility

• Organize and led sub-national child protection area of responsibility meetings, ensuring full participation from child protection organizations operating in the State.
• Conduct inter-agency assessments of child protection needs in Khartoum and Al Jazeera, and coordinate joint responses. 
• Ensure effective coordination and information exchange between the national CPAoR structure and the subnational CPAoR. 

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

Education: 

An advanced university degree preferably in human rights/IHL law, international development or social/political sciences. A first-level university degree in lieu of an advanced degree may be accepted with an additional two years of experience.

Experience: 

• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience at national and international levels in child protection, including international work experience.
• Background with Protection in Emergency, CPAoR Coordination and previous experience on the MRM/CAAC and CAAFAG.
• Background/familiarity with L3 Emergencies.

Language Requirements:Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, French, Spanish, or Russian) or the local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate Chance.

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

Core Values: · Care · Respect · Integrity · Trust · Accountability ·Sustainability 

Core Competencies: 

• 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)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1) 
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

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.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. 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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer category.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.