UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND
GENERIC JOB PROFILE (GJP)
I. Post Information
Job Title: Child Protection Officer Job Level: Level 2
Supervisor Title/ Level: Chief, Child Job Profile No.:
Protection/Child Protection Specialist CCOG Code: 1L04
P5/P4/P3 Functional Code: CHI
Organizational Unit: Programme Job Classification Level: Level 2
Post Location: Country Office
II. Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in
everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.
Job organizational context:
The Child Protection Officer GJP is to be used in a Country Office (CO) where the Child
Protection Programme is a component of the Country Programme (or UNDAF). The Child
Protection Officer reports to the Chief, Child Protection or Child Protection Specialist who is at
Level 5/4/3.
Purpose for the job:
The Child Protection Officer reports to the Chief, Child Protection or Child Protection
Specialist for supervision. The 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.
III. Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Support to programme development and planning
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
4. Networking and partnership building
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
1. Support to programme development and planning
▪ Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design and management
of child protection related programmes/projects. Research and report on development
trends (e.g. economic, social, health) and data for use in programme development,
management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
▪ Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals,
objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, analysis and
reporting of child protection and other related information for development planning and
priority and goal setting.
▪ Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming
processes by executing and administering a variety of technical, programme, operational,
and administrative transactions, preparing related materials and documentations, and
complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support
programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of
results.
▪ Prepare required programme documentations, materials and data to facilitate the
programme review and approval process.
2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss implementation
issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or to alert appropriate officials and
stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and
assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual
sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects,
and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme
management.
▪ Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative
and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules,
regulations, procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and
integrity. Report on critical issues and findings to ensure timely resolution by
management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
▪ Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management,
donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.
3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation
▪ Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and exchange information with
partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take
appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report
on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
▪ Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners,
UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and
understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in child
protection, to support programme implementation.
4. Networking and partnership building
• Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national
stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme
implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child
protection.
▪ Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-
agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of child
protection programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and
strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.
▪ Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials
and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote
awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection
programmes.
5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
▪ Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and
to build the capacity of stakeholders.
▪ Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation
and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Research and report on best and cutting edge practices for development planning of
knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the
competencies of clients and stakeholders.
IV. 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.
V. UNICEF values and competency Required (based on the updated Framework)
i) Core Values
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability
ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) *
▪ Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
▪ Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
▪ Works Collaboratively with others (2)
▪ Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
▪ Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
▪ Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
▪ Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
▪ Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
*The 7 core competencies are applicable to all employees. However, the competency Nurtures,
Leads and Managers people is only applicable to staff who supervise others.
VI. Recruitment Qualifications
Education: A university degree in one of the following fields is required:
international development, human rights, psychology,
sociology, international law, or another relevant social science
field.
Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in social
development planning and management in child protection
related areas is required.
Experience working in a developing country is considered as an
asset.
Relevant experience in programme development in child
protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization
is considered as an asset.
Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is
an added advantage.
Language Requirements: Good level in English is required. Knowledge of another official
UN language is an asset.