Sierra Leone: Chief, Child Protection, P-4, Freetown, Sierra Leone, # 13653

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Sierra Leone
Closing date: 26 Feb 2017

if you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the PositionThe Chief, Child Protection Section reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. The Chief is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of child protection programs/projects from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well-being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/framework and UN intergovernmental bodies.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

1. Programme Planning, Development and Management

Enhance effective sectoral or inter-sectoral planning, development and management by leading, guiding, coordinating and supporting the timely completion of the Situation Analysis and its periodic update through accurate and complete monitoring and analysis, and the timely preparation or finalization of sectoral input. Provide substantive advice, recommendations and input in the formulation of country programme documents and plans of actions relating to Child Protection programme.

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programmme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.

2. Promotion of UNICEF's Global Goals

Promote the organization goals of UNICEF through advocacy and policy dialogue through active engagement in communication, networking and participation at every opportunity inside and outside UNICEF, leveraging the strength of UNICEF mission , goals and programmes.

3. Knowledge Management

Promote knowledge management by exchange of knowledge, information, situation analysis, experience or lessons learned; promote knowledge sharing and technical input or recommendations on major programme directions and on introduction of new initiatives in the country.

4. Rights-Based and Results-Based Approach

Promote the quality of rights-based Child Protection programmes through participation in the formulation of programme goals, strategies and approaches. Bring coherence, synergy and added value to sectoral or inter-sectoral management processes using a results-based management approach to planning and design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

5. Sectoral Work Plan Development, Implementation and Monitoring

Takes primary responsibility for the development of the sectoral work plan and technical decisions as well as for programme management, implementation and monitoring of assigned project/sectoral activity, in compliance with the defined programme strategies and approaches.

6. Programme Delivery, Evaluation and Reporting

Ensure programme, sectoral or inter-sectoral, efficiency and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to evaluation. Participation in major evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sector review meetings with government counterparts. Ensure the preparation of annual Child Protection sector status reports.

7. UNICEF and Government Accountability

Coordinates with Operations and Supply staff on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, monitors and submits financial status reports to management in compliance with the regulations and guidelines.

8. Communication, Collaboration, Networking and Partnership

Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate/improve delivery of services and achieve Child Protection programme requirements and objectives. Conduct field visits to monitor programmes and collect information. Conduct periodic programme reviews with Government counterparts and other partners.

Collaborate with Communication and Programme Communication groups to ensure development of effective communication materials and strategies to support advocacy and social mobilization efforts.

Overall coordination with Regional Advisers and HQ Officers. Collaborate with other Programme/Project Officers to ensure the integration of the sectoral programme with other sectors.

Collaborate with the Operations and Supply Sections and Government authorities to establish and maintain sound internal controls supportive of Child Protection programme planning and implementation, to coordinate financial and supply management requirements as well as to ensure accountability.

Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of Health programme/project implementation to follow up on agreements and recommendations. Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical, financial and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection programme goal.

Qualifications of a Successful Candidate

An Advanced university degree (Master's) in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law or other social science field is required.

A minimum of eight (8) years of professional relevant experience in social development planning and management in child protection and/other related areas at the national and 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 monitoring and evaluation of programmes will be an asset.

Knowledge on human rights to programming, protection systems, gender issues.

Experience in policy planning and development.

Background/familiarity with Emergency is an asset.

Fluency in English (written & verbal) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or a local language is considered an asset.

Competencies of a Successful Candidate

Core Values

Commitment

Diversity and Inclusion

Integrity

Core competencies

Communication - Level II

Working with People - Level II

Drive for Results - Level II

Functional Competencies

Leading and supervising - Level I

Formulating strategies/concepts - Level II

Analyzing - Level III

Relating and networking - Level II

Deciding and initiating action - Level II

Applying Technical Expertise - Level III

To view our competency framework, please clickhere.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

How to apply: