Child Protection Specialist (Port Sudan) – UNICEF

Job Description

Job no	563947
Contract type	Temporary Appointment
Location	Port Sudan
Level	P-3
Categories	Child Protection
Advertised	12 Jul 2023 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline	16 Jul 2023 E. Africa Standard Time

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, Hope

Continuing violence in Sudan has left more than 13.6 million children in urgent need of lifesaving humanitarian support, the highest number ever recorded in the country. 

Even before the conflict erupted, humanitarian needs across Sudan had reached record levels – Sudan has one of the highest rates of malnutrition among children in the world, with more than 3 million children acutely malnourished. Now, an already dire situation has reached catastrophic levels, with access to food, safe water, electricity, and telecommunications unreliable, inaccessible and unaffordable. More than 2 million people have been displaced, including many who have fled the country or who have returned to their country of origin. 

How can you make a difference?

• Support  the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism under the joint framework of the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) and ensure that the grave violations of children’s rights in situations of armed conflict are monitored and reported, prepare the Global Horizontal Note (GHN).
• Ensure recurrent MRM trainings for UNICEF staff and implementing partners.
• Support and strengthen the Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on the six grave Violations, strengthen its role as a reliable inter-agency and independent platform to document and report grave violations by all parties to the conflict. Support policy advocacy as needed.
• Support the development of an “MRM Blueprint”, in coordination with relevant stakeholders including the RC’s office (and other stakeholders such as UNICEF RO, HQ, DPPO, SRSG-CAAC; potentially liaising with UNITAMS CP focal point); develop and action an MRM training plan for key UN agencies. Review and develop the way forward for a Sudan CAAC engagement strategy (including potentially through the peace process).
• Technical support to the CPiE programs related to ongoing release and reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups (CAAFAG). In close cooperation with the CPiE Specialists, support development of preparedness plans for the release of children from armed groups (NSAG:s); support quality implementation of the Road Map for the Action Plans with the government of the Sudan (for example, relevant Ministries, National Council for Child Welfare/NCCW; SAF) and armed groups to end and prevent recruitment and use of children by the national army, engage other listed parties and armed groups on the issue of children and armed conflict.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required. A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with additional two years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the national and international level 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.
• Previous humanitarian child protection programming experience in fragile and conflict-affected countries are required;
• Solid understanding of and/or previous experience of the UNSC 1612 Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms on Grave Violations against children is required. Work with armed forces on release of children, and on durable solutions for reintegration are an asset;
• Demonstrated experience of coordination of inter-agency/inter-ministerial platform is required.
• Proven track record of implementing trainings considered an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with development and humanitarian contexts is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Arabic is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

Eligible UNICEF  Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to this TA may be able to retain a lien on their existing post for the duration of this TA.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is:a role with direct contact with children, works directly with children, is a safeguarding response role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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

Advertised: 12 Jul 2023 E. Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 16 Jul 2023 E. Africa Standard Time