Standard Job Description
Child Protection Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
UNHCR is committed to the effective protection of children of concern, with children representing more than half of the persons falling under its mandate. UNHCR adopts a rights and community-based approach to addressing the protection needs of children, with a strong emphasis on inclusion within national child protection, child-friendly procedures, and working with other sectors to protect children including education. Child protection is recognized as a global organizational priority for UNHCR. Dedicated child protection positions are needed to provide technical support to improve UNHCR's operational capacity to deliver effective protection to children, adolescents, and youth of concern.
The Child Protection Associate is a member of the protection team in an Office. S/he may report to a (Child) Protection Officer, or the Head of Field-Office/Unit and/or Head of Sub-Office. The incumbent monitors child protection standards, operational procedures, and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provides functional protection support to information management and program staff. The Child Protection Associate is expected to coordinate quality, timely, and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern (children, women, marginalized groups) and is responsible for the implementation of Best Interests Procedures for children at risk in their area of responsibility, under the guidance of the supervisor. S/he may also supervise staff undertaking Best Interests Procedures. S/he identifies opportunities to mainstream Child Protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors and liaises externally with authorities and partners on protection doctrine and policy as guided by the supervisor. The incumbent works directly with communities and children of concern to identify the risks they face and to leverage their capacities to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities, and protection and assistance partners.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable for performing their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional, and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
Needs identification, Strategy, and Advocacy
Program planning and implementation
Partnership, coordination, and capacity building
Minimum Qualifications
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge of UNHCR child protection policies and tools including the UNHCR Best Interests Procedures Guidelines, and interagency child protection Minimum Standards, Guiding Principles and GBV case management standards. Knowledge of local child protection laws, policies and services. Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engage with and mobilize communities. Understanding of displacement and protection issues including GBV, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy. Completed Protection Learning Programme. Experience working with marginalized groups. Knowledge of protection information management tools, including but not limited to proGres and/or CPIMS.
Functional Skills
Language Requirements
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Child Protection Case Management and Best Interests Procedures, PR-Child Protection Information Management System, PR-Child Protection Prevention and Response Programming Education
Certifications
Community Development/Social Work - Other, Human Rights - Other, Law - Other, Social Sciences - Other Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Home-Based
No