UNICEF Venezuela is seeking talented professionals in Child Protection at the National Officer 1 (NO-1) level. This is a Generic Vacancy Announcement for the Talent Groups for Child Protection officers at the NO-1 level and from this Talent Group we will select candidates for positions that may come up in the future in our Bolivar, Caracas, Táchira and Zulia locations.
Talent Groups at UNICEF are exclusive lists of pre-vetted, highly qualified professionals intended to fast-track recruitment processes as positions become available in our Office. After a rigorous selection process, successful candidates assessed as ready for these levels will be placed in the NO-1 Child Protection Group. While placement in the Talent Group does not guarantee a position, it is an important resource for filling NO-1 level vacancies for roles of Child Protection Officer. Candidates placed into the Talent Group will be reviewed when a relevant position opens and if found suitable, will be offered placement through a direct selection process. Contracts may be Fixed Term (FT) or Temporary Appointment (TA).
Purpose for the job:
The Child Protection Officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the child protection programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Programme within the Country Programme.
Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
Support to programme development and planning
Research and analyze regional and national political, protection, social and economic development trends. Collect, analyze, verify, and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
Prepare technical reports and inputs for programme preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevancy of information.
Facilitate the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, collection, analysis and reporting of child protection programmes and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
Provide technical and administrative support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical programme transactions, preparing materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluation of results.
Prepare required documentations and materials to facilitate the programme review and approval process.
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results.
Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to collect, analyze and share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine programme implementation and to submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. Keep record 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 the government and other counterparts, and prepare minutes/reports on results for follow up action by higher management and other stakeholders.
Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards of accountability and integrity.
Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
Prepare inputs for programme and donor reporting.
Technical and operational support to programme implementation
Undertake field visits and surveys, and collect and share reports with partners and stakeholders.
Assess progress and provide technical support 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.
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.
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, benchmark 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.
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.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
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 one year 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 a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
Language Requirements: Fluency in Spanish is required. Working-level knowledge of English is considered an asset.
