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.

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. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life - in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions - her or his rights are violated. 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?

Under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the Child Protection Specialist contributes to defining UNICEF India action to prevent and respond to protection issues, especially the ending child marriage, violence against women, girls, and boys and other harmful practices, developing effective strategies, partnerships and generating evidence. The Child Protection Specialists coordinate within UNICEF India the adolescent empowerment and development beam (ADE).

The Specialist contributes to achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/projects 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:

• Management and advisory support to the Chief
• Program development and planning
• Program management, monitoring and quality control of results
• Coordination, advisory services and technical support
• Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Management and advisory support to the Chief

• Provide advice to the Chief in establishing the work plan and guiding States in development of workplans, including developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements.
• Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report to Chief critical issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues in the Section in Delhi and to the child protection network in 13 Field Offices on all aspects of programming and implementation to enable colleagues to achieve program/performance objectives
• Support resource mobilization initiatives in coordination with other Output Managers.

Program development and planning

• Develop a coherent, comprehensive and implementable programme strategies on child protection priorities with a focus on child marriage and other harmful practices.
• Identify and pursue concrete opportunities and platforms for ending child marriage and other harmful practices.
• Develop an effective multi-sectoral approach to ending child marriage and other harmful practices with special focus on convergent approaches with ECO, Education and Health programmes, among others. This multi-sectoral approach will also involve communication for development (C4D) as well as Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP).
• Plan and/or provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence- based data on protection issues specially harmful practices and adolescent related programmes are available to guide UNICEF's strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
• Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities on protection issues from a multi-disciplinary approach.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection programs/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF's Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF), State strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the sector/s using on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results in the field of violence against children.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

Program management, monitoring and quality control of results

• Responsible for overall monitoring system coordination and management. Plan monitoring and evaluation activities to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in child protection.
• Coordinate and develop and implement an evidence generation plan for CP components related to harmful practices, social norms and ADE.
• Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required act1onilntervent1ons 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.
• Monitor programs/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, monitor and control the use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit/prepare program/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on program progress and critical issues.

Coordination, Advisory services and technical support

• Support the coordination of Adolescent Beam across UNICEF sectors (health, nutrition, education, WASH, CAP, C4D), and ensure that ECM ICO flagship programme is integrated across these sectors.
• Provide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on child protection and harmful practices, human rights and other related issues to support program development planning, implementation and delivery of results.
• Coordinate/ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.
• Participate in strategic discussions to promote/catalyze social changes for a protective environment for child survival, development, and well-being in society.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs, and other strategic program materials for management use, information and consideration.
• Participate in country discussions on child protection emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate response are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations.
• 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.

• 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. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life - in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions - her or his rights are violated. 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?

• Under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the Child Protection Specialist contributes to defining UNICEF India action to prevent and respond to protection issues, especially the ending child marriage, violence against women, girls, and boys and other harmful practices, developing effective strategies, partnerships and generating evidence. The Child Protection Specialists coordinate within UNICEF India the adolescent empowerment and development beam (ADE).
• The Specialist contributes to achievement of concrete and sustainable programs/projects 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:

• Management and advisory support to the Chief
• Program development and planning
• Program management, monitoring and quality control of results
• Coordination, advisory services and technical support
• Advocacy, networking and partnership building
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

Management and advisory support to the Chief

• Provide advice to the Chief in establishing the work plan and guiding States in development of workplans, including developing strategies and determining priorities/targets and performance measurements.
• Coordinate work progress monitoring and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards and report to Chief critical issues for timely action.
• Provide technical assistance/advice to colleagues in the Section in Delhi and to the child protection network in 13 Field Offices on all aspects of programming and implementation to enable colleagues to achieve program/performance objectives
• Support resource mobilization initiatives in coordination with other Output Managers.

Program development and planning

• Develop a coherent, comprehensive and implementable programme strategies on child protection priorities with a focus on child marriage and other harmful practices.
• Identify and pursue concrete opportunities and platforms for ending child marriage and other harmful practices.
• Develop an effective multi-sectoral approach to ending child marriage and other harmful practices with special focus on convergent approaches with ECO, Education and Health programmes, among others. This multi-sectoral approach will also involve communication for development (C4D) as well as Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP).
• Plan and/or provide technical assistance and operational support to the preparation/design and conduct/update of situation analysis to ensure that current comprehensive and evidence- based data on protection issues specially harmful practices and adolescent related programmes are available to guide UNICEF's strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection and to set program priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
• Keep abreast of national/regional/international development priorities on protection issues from a multi-disciplinary approach.
• Participate in strategic program discussion on the planning of child protection programs/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programs/projects proposal for the sector, ensuring alignment with the overall UNICEF's Strategic Plans and Country Program and coherence/integration with UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF), State strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Establish specific goals, objectives and strategies and implementation plans for the sector/s using on results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for program review and approval.
• Work closely and collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies and to determine national priorities/competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results in the field of violence against children.
• Provide authoritative technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programs/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.

Program management, monitoring and quality control of results

• Responsible for overall monitoring system coordination and management. Plan monitoring and evaluation activities to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess/strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in child protection.
• Coordinate and develop and implement an evidence generation plan for CP components related to harmful practices, social norms and ADE.
• Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required act1onilntervent1ons 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.
• Monitor programs/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems and take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, monitor and control the use of program resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit/prepare program/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on program progress and critical issues.

Coordination, Advisory services and technical support

• Support the coordination of Adolescent Beam across UNICEF sectors (health, nutrition, education, WASH, CAP, C4D), and ensure that ECM ICO flagship programme is integrated across these sectors.
• Provide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on policies, strategies, best practices and approaches on child protection and harmful practices, human rights and other related issues to support program development planning, implementation and delivery of results.
• Coordinate/ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.
• Participate in strategic discussions to promote/catalyze social changes for a protective environment for child survival, development, and well-being in society.
• Prepare policy papers, briefs, and other strategic program materials for management use, information and consideration.
• Participate in country discussions on child protection emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate response are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally or other designated locations.

Advocacy, networking and partnership building

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organ1zatlon, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on child protection.
• Support coordination of UNSDF, including Outcome 6 UNICEF Child Protection is co-lead for.
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF and Country Office child protection programs and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection and related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues UNDAF planning and preparation of programs/projects including emergency preparedness. 

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable child protection programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting-edge practices on child protection management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
• Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on child protection and related programs/projects.

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

• An Advanced University degree in development, public health, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, social behavior change, anthropology other social science field is required.

Experience: 

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required
• Relevant experience in programmes related to social norms, ending child marriage, violence and harmful practices, and adolescent empowerment is an asset.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organ1zatlon, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on child protection.
• Support coordination of UNSDF, including Outcome 6 UNICEF Child Protection is co-lead for.
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF and Country Office child protection programs and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection and related issues to ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process in development planning and agenda setting. Collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues UNDAF planning and preparation of programs/projects including emergency preparedness. 

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking and innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable child protection programs/projects initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce and implement best and cutting-edge practices on child protection management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programs and projects.
• Organize/plan/implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders to promote sustainable results on child protection and related programs/projects.

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

• An Advanced University degree in development, public health, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, social behavior change, anthropology other social science field is required.

Experience: 

• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas some of which preferably were served in a developing country is required
• Relevant experience in programmes related to social norms, ending child marriage, violence and harmful practices, and adolescent empowerment is an asset.
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/job/560252