VA-2015-005
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Pretoria is inviting applications from suitably qualified South African nationals for the Fixed-Term Appointment post of:
Child Protection Specialist, NO-C
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If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading child rights organization would like to hear from you.
UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour and action towards children. In South Africa, UNICEF supports national efforts to realize children’s rights by promoting evidence-based policy advocacy and strategic partnerships as a means to leverage policies and resources for children, giving special attention to vulnerable children and disparity reduction. It works in the areas of health and nutrition, early childhood development; basic education; child protection and social policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Fixed-Term
Duration:2 year – with possibility of extension
Purpose of the post:
Under the overall guidance and through specific supervision by the Chief of Child Protection, support the work of the section by building capacity, providing technical assistance and conducting monitoring and evaluation for UNICEF's child protection interventions in South Africa, with a focus on the scaling up of prevention and response to Violence Against Women Children, ensuring access to justice for the most vulnerable children especially those affected by the HIV/AIDS.
Responsibilities include:
- Prepare and update the situation analysis and generate evidence on the most vulnerable children, including children affected by HIV by collecting relevant data, analyzing and disseminating information with a view to inform policy and programme development. Contribute to the identification and mapping of the most vulnerable children in support of national efforts to address the deep seated inequity in the realization of child rights.
- Participate in the design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF’s support to the strengthening of the child care and protection system with a focus on the most vulnerable children. More specifically, support national efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Children’s Act with a view to improve access to and quality of services to the most vulnerable children and their caregivers. This includes the identification of and action to redress systemic bottlenecks in the delivery of child care and protection services to vulnerable children and their caregivers; the review of the funding norms and institutional arrangements of social welfare services; and support for evidence- and results-based decentralized planning and monitoring to reach the most vulnerable children (MoRES).
- Contribute to the development and/or introduction of innovative approaches, methods and practices and support national efforts to systematically improve the reach of proven approaches, including community-based child care prgrammes.
- Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of relevant national action plans for care and protection of children. Constructively participate in national planning and co-ordinative processes and actively participate in UN Joint Team on AIDS processes with a view to ensure a coordinated UN response to children affected and made vulnerable by HIV.
- Undertake field visits to technically support improvement of child care and protection services, monitor programmes, as well as conduct periodic programme reviews with government counterparts and other partners.
- Prepare sectoral input to the Country Programme Document (CPD) and all related documents, especially Annual Workplans. Participate in the preparation of all programme reports for management, Board, donors, budget reviews, programme analysis, annual reports, etc. Manages programme resources ensuring strict adherence to relevant UNICEF policies and procedures.
Education:
Advanced University Degree or equivalent in Social Science, law or other relevant field. Experience in the design, implementation of sytems for the delivery of services to vulnerable children would be advantageous.
Work experience:
At least five years of progressively responsible work experience, preferably in the field of child protection systems with a focus social welfares services for vulnerable children, programme management, monitoring and evaluation. Knowledge and understanding of the key drivers of vulnerability including the impacts of HIV upon families and communities, poverty and marginalization. Knowledge of the Government of South Africa’s structures and operations.
Language:
- Fluency in English both verbal and written required.
- Fluency in at least two other South African languages an-advantage.
- A proven ability to prepare concise, complete project and programme documentation.
Skills:
- Ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills
- Planning and monitoring skills; ability to organize work & projects.
- Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions.
- Computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
- Commitment to continuous learning for professional development.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
- Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF’s mission and professional values.
Sharing UNICEF Core Values of:
• Commitment • Diversity and Inclusion • Integrity
Proficiency in UNICEF Core Competencies of:
• Communication • Working with People • Drive for Results
Proficient in functional competencies of:
• Leading and Supervising • Formulating Strategies and Concepts • Analyzing
HOW TO APPLY:
All applications are to be accompanied by the attached completed and signed Personal History form (P11 Form), CV and application letter with a clear reference of the position being applied for. Applications are to be sent on or before 17 April 2015to the following email address:safpretoriavacancy@unicef.org.
Only South African nationals will be considered. If you have not been contacted within one month of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret letters will only be sent to interviewed candidates.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.Only complete applications consisting of detailed CV, P11 form and application letter will be reviewed.
CANDIDATES WHO RESPONDED TO THE FIRST ADVERT SHOULD NOT RE-APPLY.
UNICEF IS A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT.
UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
