UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Job in Nairobi Kenya

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Kenya Country Office

Vacancy Announcement “KCO/CP/2014-013”

Duty Station: Nairobi

Post: Child Protection Specialist, NO-C

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Reference Case # KCO14031

Date of Issue: 20 June 2014

Closing Date: 04 July 2014

Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Fixed Term position of Child Protection Specialist in UNICEF Kenya Country Office (KCO)

Purpose of the Post: Under the supervision of Child Protection Specialist/Social Welfare based in Nairobi, responsible for contributing to the development of a national child protection system that prevents and responds to violence, abuse and exploitation of children.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

With specific emphasis on:
(1) the development, implementation, and coordination activities of the joint program to accelerate abandonment of FGM/C (2) within the context of systems development, provide technical support for the implementation of the VAC Response plan; (3) take lead in knowledge generation around child marriage in the country and advocate for inclusion of outcomes in key development interventions; (4) and supporting the roll out of the system approach at county and sub-county level with a particular focus on Violence against Children, harmful practices, access to justice for Children in close collaboration with field offices. Develop child protection projects/interventions focussing on harmful practices mainly FGM/C and child marriage abandonment strategies; be responsible for their planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Work closely with program colleagues to ensure inclusion of relevant advocacy and service delivery activities for vulnerable groups in existing and new projects in other programme areas.Within UNICEF, and as required, contribute to raising additional funds by preparing proposals, briefing notes and concept notes and liaise with potential donors for the program.Spearhead building of partnerships with senior Government officials, none-state actors (such as NGOs, FBOs, CBOs), religious leaders, the private sector, other UN agencies, media, artists and celebrities, communities and young people to form positive social norms that ensure the formation of critical mass for the abandonment of harmful practices in Kenya and support implementation of laws, policies and programmes that protect children from harmful practices; strengthen coordination of efforts towards abandonment of harmful practices.Responsible to analyse existing information and data on harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) for advocacy, policy dialogue with Government, design of strategies and programme formulation aimed at accelerating abandonment of FGM/C; identify gaps in the abandonment efforts and devise ways to address; apply social norms change theory to programming to park off an abandonment movement in the country; ensure information is shared with the chief of section, senior management and other relevant colleagues on new developments regarding FGM/C abandonment efforts.Generate knowledge on child marriage in the country; provide technical support for the management and sharing of that knowledge; spearhead dialogue with Government and other stakeholders on child marriage; carry out field visits to carry out community conversations on child marriage and contribute these to national dialogue and efforts.In coordination and collaboration with Communication for Development (C4D), support the development of effective communication and information materials aimed at bringing about change in social and individual behaviour as well as in law and administrative.Carry out field assessment visits for evaluating the effectiveness of UNICEF interventions, identifying problems and proposing remedial solutions; and monitoring reporting systems for child protection, including useful indicators to monitor and evaluate national and county efforts for the abandonment of harmful practices.Assist in defining strategies for Child Protection actors using the social norms change in programming; lead capacity building of stakeholders on understanding social norms change and provide technical support for the national efforts to outline a national movement towards abandonment of harmful practices; plan and organize trainings and orientation activities for Government and NGO personnel, community members and young people in order to mobilize a critical mass nodding for the abandonment of FGM/C and child marriage.Prepare country programme documentation, contribute to the child protection annual reports and analyses; supervise and monitor management of cash and other supply assistance, budget reviews and maintenance of data ensuring efficient use of funds and reporting thereafter.Required Qualifications: Advanced university degree in the social sciences (Sociology, Education and or Law) or other relevant field.

Experience:

At least five  years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development, implementation and management of field programmes with special emphasis on Child protection especially on abandonment of FGM/C and child marriage, Violence against Children, psychosocial support, working with and on community mechanisms, Case Management, and or GBV. This position requires excellent writing and analytical skills, supervisory skills and the candidate will be expected to support resource mobilization to support child protection program. Knowledge and understanding of social norms is an asset.

Language: Fluency in English and Kiswahili. Knowledge of one or more of languages of communities in Kenya is an added advantage.

Competencies:
 

Commitment  Diversity and Inclusion  Integrity  ii) Core Competencies (Required)Communication [ Level II ]  Working with People [ Level II ]       Drive for Results [level  II ]   iii) Functional Competencies (Required)Leading and Supervising [ Level I ]                       Formulating Strategies and Concepts [Level  II ]Analyzing [ Level III]  Relating and Networking [ Level II ]Deciding and Initiating Action [ Level II ]Applying Technical Expertise [ Level III ]Interested and suitable candidates should ensure they forward their applications along with their curriculum vitae, P11 Form (internal candidates should attach copies of their last two Performance Evaluation Reports), to:

The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org

Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/CP/2014-013” in the email subject.

“Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply”

Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse 
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