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.

And we never give up.

For every child, protection

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children’s rights in partnership with government, civil society, children and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally – click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria : https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

The Child Protection Specialist (Harmful Practices) will serve under the direct supervision of the Chief of Field Office in Akure. This function will work within the context of supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, UNICEF Strategic Plan, UNICEF Gender Action Plan, UNICEF Child Protection Strategy and the Country Programme (or UNDAF). The incumbent will lead the planning processes, develop partnerships and technical guidance to support the Prevention of Harmful Practices portfolio (with a focus on Female Genital Mutilation), In collaboration with UNICEF sections (in particular the Gender, innovation, external communication and C4D Sections), external partners and UN agencies (particularly UNFPA) the incumbent will provide implementation of child protection programmes in focus states under the Akure Field Office in order to enhance child protection systems. The Child Protection Specialist (field office) will work closely with the Child Protection Specialist ((Harmful Practices), Gender, C4D, Education, Social Protection and Health Sections to ensure that the aims and approaches to end harmful practices are effectively considered and coherently integrated into appropriate work streams.

How can you make a difference?

The Child Protection Specialist reports to the Chief of field Office for general supervision and operational guidance and to the Chief, Child Protection and Child Protection Manager for technical implementation of the programme. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programme(s) as it relates to System Strengthening and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the child protection programmes/projects within the country programme with a particular focus on the UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme on FGM. H/She facilitates the administration and achievement 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 wellbeing as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.

The Specialist contributes to the achievement of 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 :

• Support child protection system programme development and planning ;
• Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results on harmful practices ;
• Technical and operational support to harmful practices programme implementation ;
• Networking and partnership building on harmful practices ;
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

To view the full job description, please refer to the attached… Child Protection Specialist Level 3_Akure .doc

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required : international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field as it relates to harmful practices and gender issues ;
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection and gender related areas is required ;
• At least five years of relevant professional experience with demonstrated track record of having undertaken and led evidence-based programming on child protection, gender, social norms or harmful practices, with a cross-sectoral and adolescent girl focus ;
• Experience working on community engagement programmes is considered as an asset ;
• Relevant experience in programme development in child protection and gender related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset ;
• Experience in research and analysis, and especially monitoring and evaluation on gender, adolescents and harmful practices ;
• Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered as an added advantage ;
• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset

 For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) and core competencies in Communication,

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• 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) ;
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2) ;
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks : Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.