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, dedication :

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job :

Under the overall guidance and direction of the Regional Child Protection Adviser, the Child Protection Specialist is responsible for managing and overseeing the development, implementation and monitoring of UNICEF’s Regional Programme on birth registration within the broader CRVS framework, as one of the 4 priority areas in WCARO’s Regional Child Protection Strategy (2018 – 2021) and as part of global child protection priorities, expressed within the Strategic Plan (2018 – 2021). This includes technical support, quality oversight and leadership in key focus areas to support national CRVS system development with the focus on accelerating results for birth registration. The programme finds its rationale in i) the implementation of the recommendations of the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (APAI –CRVS), ii) in the five year plan (2016-2020) of APAI-CRVS, including Global Financing Facility as it principal financing mechanism and iii) in the  Decade of Civil Registration (2015-2024).

UNICEF’s role in both the pan-African and sub-regional francophone CRVS Core Groups is instrumental in contributing to national CRVS reforms and the improvement of universal birth registration. With the increased political will and donor interest in West and Central Africa for CRVS, UNICEF needs to further align its work on birth registration with globally/regionally adopted standards and recommendations while applying its theory of change to improve birth registration. A special attention will be given to countries in the region that are part of UNICEF’s global and/or bilateral partnership with donors on birth and civil registration, such as Canada and the EU.

The Child Protection Specialist for CRVS will define and promote linkages with other sections, particularly Health, Education and Social Protection with a focus on integrated system development to achieve accelerated results at scale. The Child Protection Specialist will also ensure that WCAR priorities in terms of birth registration are reflected at the regional and global level through evidence based advocacy and strategic partnerships with members of the Regional CRVS Core Group, the EU and other donors.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks :

1. Managerial leadership ;
2. Program development and planning ;
3. Program management, monitoring and quality control of results ;
4. Advisory services and technical support ;
5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building ;
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

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

• An Advanced University Degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required ;
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the international level some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in child protection and related areas, program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.  Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage ;
• Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate commitment:

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are :

• Leading and supervising (I) ;
• Formulating strategies/concepts (II) ;
• Analyzing (III) ;
• Relating and networking (II) ;
• Deciding and initiating action (II) ;
• Applying Technical Expertise (III).

View our competency framework at : Competencies.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 :

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service ;
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.