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, Protection :
UNICEF Nigeria is committed to realizing the rights of all children to help them build a strong foundation and have the best chance of fulfilling their potential. We believe that ensuring a happy and healthy child begins before birth: from ensuring his/her mother has access to good neonatal care and delivering in a clean, safe environment to reaching adulthood as a responsible, healthy and informed parent to the next generation. This journey relies on a child having access to shelter, good nutrition, clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education.
To find out more about UNICEF’s work in Nigeria, please visit: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/
How can you make a difference?
The Child Protection Specialist reports to the Child Protection Manager for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme(s) and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes. H/She facilitates the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm, and to protect their rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.
The Specialist contributes to the achievement of results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities :
- Support to programme/project development and planning : Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis for the child protection programmes/projects to ensure that current and comprehensive data on child protection issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection, and to set programme priorities, strategies, and design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery ;
- Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results : Plan and collaborate with colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in child protection programmes ;
- Technical and operational support to programme implementation : Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners and donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on child protection related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results ;
- Networking and partnership building : Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national stakeholders, global partners, allies, donors, and academia – through active networking, advocacy and effective communication – to build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results in child protection ;
- Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building : Apply and 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 programme results.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
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An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field. A first level (Bachelor’s) university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and an additional 2 years of relevant experience in related fields may be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree ;
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A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas is required ;
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Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset ;
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Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered as an added advantage ;
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Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The competencies required for this post are :
The functional competencies required for this post are :
- Leading and supervising [I] ;
- Formulating strategies and concepts [II] ;
- Deciding and initiating action [II] ;
- Analyzing [III] ;
- Applying technical expertise [III] ;
- Relating and networking [II].
View our competency framework here 
Competency Framework – 2020.pdf
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.
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 :
This is a re-advertisement in order to expand the candidate pool. There have been amendments to the Vacancy Announcement (VA). Previous applicants need not reapply as their original application will be duly considered. The VA is open to all Nigerian nationals (internal and external candidates).
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.