UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world.
For every child, a fair chance…
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programs, 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.
How you can make a difference…
Join our dedicated team and be responsible for ensuring UNICEF's effective engagement with human rights mechanisms in Geneva, in particular the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and for technical support to country offices in this regard, in order to strengthen UNICEF's human rights-related programming in the field. You will strengthen and maintain relationships and collaboration with key Human Rights partners in Geneva, ensuring effective UNICEF support to human rights related processes and influencing policy and strategy for the rights of children in line with the priorities and policy guidance of the organisation.
This will involve:
Advisory Services and Technical Support
Provide timely and quality technical advice to UNICEF country offices, regional offices and headquarters on engagement with human rights mechanisms, in particular the reporting process of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in order to support programme development, implementation, and delivery, as well as monitoring of results.
Facilitate the provision of technical inputs by UNICEF into the work of human rights mechanisms, including the development of General Comments by treaty bodies, the annual discussion and resolution on child rights of the Human Rights Council, and the work of selected thematic and country specific UN Special Procedure Mandate Holders
Provide technical inputs related to human rights to senior management or to other technical Sectors for policy papers, briefs, reports and other strategic programme materials.
Advocacy, networking and partnership building
Strengthen partnerships, networks and influence with a range of Geneva-basedexternal partners (civil society, NGOs, UN Agencies, in particular OHCHR, and Permanent Missions) as well as with other headquarters sections, and the UNICEF global human rights network, to identify areas for convergence, and develop and reinforce partnerships in child rights related programming and advocacy.
Serve as the liaison between UNICEF and the Committee and the Rights of the Child
Maintain close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in OHCHR as well as with Child Rights Connect and other child rights NGOs based in Geneva.
In consultation with the Director of the UNICEF Geneva Liaison Office (PPD),represent UNICEF in Human Rights Council sessions and side events in order to strengthen the focus of the Council on the rights of the child and UNICEF strategic priorities; and represent UNICEF in related networks and ad hoc meetings e Maintain close relationship with counterparts in the Uruguay Permanent Mission and
EU Delegation, responsible for the annual child rights discussion and resolution, as well as with other Permanent Missions leading on relevant initiatives in the Human Rights Council on an ad hoc, strategic basis
In consultation with the Director of the Geneva Liaison Office (PPD), represent UNICEF in relevant meetings, briefings and consultations organized by OHCHR and other UN agencies on areas of Common concern and identify opportunities for stronger Collaboration in new areas. Represent UNICEF in the interagency group on CEDAW reporting
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Support the development and maintenance of roster of human rights experts (with NYbased Colleagues) to support country offices in human rights-related activities
Contribute to the regular update of the Human Rights pages of the internet/intranet with relevant resources and information
Initiate documentation and sharing of the country-level experience and best practices in engagement with human rights mechanisms, including follow up to recommendations, and lessons learned, to be shared with internal network and external partners
Maintain and regularly update UNICEF resource kit on engagement with human rights mechanisms, and related case studies, tools and materials
In collaboration with other members of the Human Rights Unit, plan and conduct regular Webinars on human rights topics
Contribute to the development of internal capacity building initiatives and tools on human rights
Contribute to or oversee the development of UNICEF child rights-related publications,
UNICEF Progгаппппе Мапаgement
Supports and Contributes to effective and efficient planning, management,coordination, monitoring and evaluation of Human Rights Unit workplan
Contribute to fulfilment of the Human Rights Unit's internal reporting obligations
Participate in regular Coordination, planning and information sharing meetings with other members of the Human Rights Unit
Supervise interns and junior colleagues as relevant
Impact of Results
The performance of the incumbent in delivering on the key accountabilities directly impacts on UNICEF's effective engagement with human rights mechanisms, which in turn impacts on UNICEF's global credibility, as well as UNICEF's country level advocacy, and planning and formulation of child rights related programmes and achievement of sustainable results.
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…
An advanced University degree (Master's or higher) in human rights, law, international development, or other social science field is required.
At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in human rights and legal work, policy analysis, social development, and/other related areas at the international level, some of which preferably served in a developing country, is required.
Relevant experience in program/project development and management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language in particular French or Spanish (the additional working languages of the Committee on the Rights of the Child) is an asset
For every Child, you demonstrate…
Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. To view our competency framework, please clickhere.
Functional Competencies
Relating and Networking - Level II
Applying Technical Expertise - Level l
Planning and Organizing - Level II
Deciding and Initiating Action - Level II
Persuading and Influencing - Level II
This position is classified as "rotational" which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.
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.
