I. Overview

Through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), the United States (U.S.) sponsors qualified U.S. citizens for employment in the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program.

These fully funded JPO positions strengthen the capacity of UNICEF and further encourage U.S. citizens to become active members of the international community. After completing their JPO assignments, a number of JPOs successfully compete for positions at UNICEF and in other international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

II. General Information

Title: JPO Child Protection Officer

Organization/Office: Programme

Duty Station: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Start Date Required: As soon as possible

Duration: Two years

The USAID/BHA sponsored JPO will be an employee of UNICEF, not of the U.S. Government.

III. Duties, Responsibilities, and Output Expectations

The JPO Child Protection Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for child protection programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results. H/She prepares, executes, manages, and implements a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting.

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Specialist, the Child Protection Officer will undertake the following tasks to support programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting for the overall Child Protection programme with focus on the Violence Against Children (VAC) output area, and in particular:

• Contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of child protection programmes particularly related to programmes aimed at ending Violence Against Children (VAC), including addressing harmful practices and online abuse and exploitation.
• Contribute to formulate, design and prepare project proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans and the Country Programme, as well as coherence and integration with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Support monitoring of programmes/projects through field visits (including remote monitoring in line with COVID 19 safeguarding measures) and exchange of information with partners to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, potential problems and child protection risks. Make recommendations accordingly to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution. Document best practices and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with Government, UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and UNICEF zonal offices on planning and implementation of activities.
• Monitor and verify the optimal and appropriate use of programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets) in compliance with organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, as well as standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of funds advanced to implementing partners.
• Support monitoring, data collection and reporting against the Child Protection Section annual workplan and the office Annual Management Plan indicators. This will also entail mobilizing funding in support of planned activities, promoting visibility and advocacy for the protection and well-being of children in humanitarian context.
• Support with the coordination, monitoring and reporting on programme results for the section and develop harmonized tools for data collection, consolidation, manipulation and visualization. Collect and consolidate data for donor proposals and reports and both internal and external reporting exercises.
• Support other programme activities related to child protection and integrated initiatives as required by the supervisor.
• Contribute to integrating cross-cutting issues into the child protection programme, i.e. gender, communication for development, adolescents, livelihoods opportunities, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), advocacy as well as enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration

Impact of Results

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Child Protection Officer to programme preparation, planning and implementation, contributes to the achievement of sustainable results to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence, and ensures their survival, development and well-being in society. Success in child protection programmes and projects in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

IV. Supervision

The JPO Child Protection Officer reports to the Child Protection Specialist for supervision.

V. Qualifications and Experience

Education:

A University Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Law or any other relevant technical field is required; a Master degree is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: social work, child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), early childhood development, adolescent programming, community development and/or humanitarian work, planning and management of programmes in relevant area, monitoring and evaluation, or any other related field.

Languages:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, oral) in French and English.

Additional Desired Technical Skills:

• Good analytical skills and understanding and experience in collecting and analyzing data, generating visual tools, drafting policies and guidelines.
• Experience with multi-stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated track record in report writing and documentation.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.
• Experience in grant management is an advantage.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.

UN Competencies:

Core Values attributes

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core competencies skills

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drives to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships
• Innovates and Embraces Change
• Thinks and Acts Strategically
• Drive to achieve impactful results
• Manages ambiguity and complexity

Workforce Diversity:

The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or religious backgrounds, to apply.

VI. Learning Elements

• Participation in a one-week JPO Induction Programme in New York.
• Guidance and advice in relation to training opportunities within the field of expertise.
• Use of yearly JPO training funds for internal/external training opportunities.
• Participation in the Mentoring, Coaching, and Career Counseling programmes.
• Encourage field mission and/or stretch assignment within the first two years.
• In addition, the JPO will benefit from the following specific learning opportunities in the receiving office:
  • On-the-job coaching and technical support from supervisor and other colleagues supporting work on birth registration.
  • Participation in locally held trainings on birth registration and other areas of child protection.

VII. Background Information

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.

The Child Protection Section at UNICEF Haiti is seeking donor support for the funding of a JPO position for 2022-2023 that will provide critical support for programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting for the overall Child Protection programme with focus on the Violence Against Children (VAC) output area in particular. The JPO will support the Child Protection Section’s ability to prepare project proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans and the Country Programme. Support monitoring of programmes/projects through field visits. Collaborate with Government, UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and UNICEF zonal offices on planning and implementation of activities. Support monitoring, data collection and reporting against the Child Protection Section annual workplan and the office Annual Management Plan indicators. Support other programme activities related to child protection and integrated initiatives. Contribute to integrating cross-cutting issues into the child protection programme advocacy as well as enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration.

Overall, the funding of this position will provide much-needed support for the organization’s strengthened commitment for the overall Child Protection programme with a focus on the Violence Against Children (VAC) output area.