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, a hope….

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.

The Senior Adviser, Child Protection is responsible for the delivery of timely and high-quality corporate planning and reporting submissions for the section. He/she supports UNICEF systems for the allocation, timely implementation, monitoring, consolidation and reporting of results of annual CP investments, with particular emphasis on global thematic funding by HQ, RO and COs against child protection priorities. He/she is responsible for leading the Planning and Evidence Building unit which encompasses planning and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management and capacity building. In the above­mentioned tasks he/she works closely with all units within the Child Protection Programme Team in Headquarters and other Divisions as well as the Child Protection Regional Advisers on strategic focus, priorities and innovations.

How can you make a difference?

The Senior Adviser, Child Protection (Planning and Management) will be located in the Planning and Evidence Building (PEB) unit of the Child Protection Programme Team in Nairobi and will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Head of Section and in collaboration with the rest of the members of the UNICEF Child Protection Programme Team. See below the positions she/he will supervise:

Under the general guidance of the Director, Child Protection, the incumbent supports, implements, manages and monitors programme activities as reflected in the section workplan, 2022-2025 UNICEF Strategic Plan and in accordance with the Executive Board approved Child Protection Strategy (2021-30).

Purpose for the job:

The Senior Adviser, Child Protection is responsible for the delivery of timely and high quality corporate planning and reporting submissions for the section. He/she supports UNICEF systems for the allocation, timely implementation, monitoring, consolidation and reporting of results of annual CP investments, with particular emphasis on global thematic funding by HQ, RO and COs against child protection priorities. He/she is responsible for leading the Planning and Evidence Building unit which encompasses planning and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management and capacity building. In the above­ mentioned tasks he/she works closely with all units within the Child Protection Programme Team in Headquarters and other Divisions as well as the Child Protection Regional Advisers on strategic focus, priorities and innovations.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Summary of results-based key functions/accountabilities:

• Strategy development and capacity building. Advises on strategic focus, positioning,   priorities, innovations and results for the section in accord with the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, including programmatic, financial and human resource related elements
• Supports the development of global position/statements based on analysis of evidence and information (including financial data) for global advocacy on child protection
• Works closely with Child Protection Regional Advisers, Headquarter-based Senior Advisers, and relevant divisions on strategy development for systematic tracking, monitoring and reporting on results to strengthen situation/incidence and programme monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
• Supervises and/or develops effective analytical reports, case studies, policy documents and other relevant documentation to build evidence base for advocacy, policy development and effective child protection programmes
• Strengthens partnerships with other organisations for effective and expanded child protection M&E within the sector
• Leads on human resource capacity building for the sector
• Co-ordinates the evidence agenda (data, research and evaluation) for Child Protection

Management and Leadership

• Leads the Planning and Evidence Building unit (PEB) in the Child Protection section
• Oversees the advancement of digital innovations in the CP sector, particularly related to Information Management Systems for Child Protection, especially with the continued scale up of Primero
• Aligns the strategies and activities in PEB (encompassing planning and reporting, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, budgeting and finance and capacity building functions) with the overall section workplan, contributes to the overall achievement of the Goal Area 3 of the Strategic Plan and support regional and field priorities
• As needed, undertakes and/or supervises missions to provide technical support to Regional Offices, Country Offices and partners in planning and M&E
• Support the Director with section management, particularly vis-à-vis operations issues
• Organises statutory meetings as required (e.g. monthly Extended Child Protection Leadership Team meetings, weekly section meetings)

Section Planning and Sector Reporting

• Coordinates the development of and reporting on the Child Protection section annual workplan, Office Management Plan (OMP) and associated budgets, in consultation with the CPPT Unit Leads and relevant interdivisional teams
• Coordinates inputs to planning and management related interdivisional submissions and reports to management
• Leads production of the Global Annual Results Report for Child Protection and relevant inputs for other global corporate reports (Executive Director’s Annual Report, Gender Action Plan Report and the Programme group’s annual reporting in RAM) as well as inputs for global reports e.g. Rights of the Child
• Support the effective operation and management of the section and its units through regular contributions and participation in internal management meetings

Communication, Advocacy and Knowledge Management

• Supports the overall work of the Child Protection section through the provision of high quality briefings, presentations and reports, representing UNICEF at relevant internal and external meetings, providing technical input into the work of others and making sure priority messages on child protection are effectively and consistently communicated
• Manages the advocacy agenda for the section and the sector, including supporting on the development of annual advocacy plans, production of advocacy briefs and events
• Lead on external communications, including website management and social media
• Drive the Knowledge Management agenda for the section and the sector, including the information flow of international communication within the section as well as the extended team and Regional and Country offices to maximize impact and efficiency.

Impact of Results

• Impacts upon the overall effectiveness, efficiency and credibility of the Child Protection section to manage resources and deliver results. Impacts upon the ability of UNICEF to technically support Child Protection staff with M&E, knowledge management and capacity building
• The impact of the recommendations will affect the effectiveness of global, regional and country programmes in addressing the priority areas of child protection, as well as related global-level partnerships
• Poor planning, reporting and financial management on behalf of UNICEF could result in a reduction of support to UNICEF Child Protection programmes. Incorrect application of the rules following incorrect advice could lead to disciplinary action. Poor leadership and supervision of the Planning and Evidence Building unit could lead to staff attrition and low morale. Inappropriate direction for knowledge management and capacity building could lead to a waste of resources and inappropriate advice being given to colleagues and partners

 To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in the area of social sciences or other related field, preferably with some specialized training in development studies, monitoring and evaluation, or public administration is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of solid and responsible experience at national and international levels in strategic planning and programme formulation, design, management, monitoring and evaluation, research, with particular interest in issues relating to child protection is required.
• Familiarity with Child Protection programming is an asset
• Proven ability to work effectively in an advisory, supervisory and management capacity is desired.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Familiarity with other international organisations is an asset
• Experience working in the UN, and other international development organizations is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

Remarks:

This is re-advertisement. Applicants who applied before do not need to apply again. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability (CRITA), and sustainability

Please click Here to view UNICEF's core values and Here to view our competency framework.

UNICEF competencies required for this post are.

i) Core Values

• • Care
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Trust
  • Accountability
  • Sustainability
•  
• ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) 
  • 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)
  • Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
  • Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to including everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.

Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.