UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, a future
How can you make a difference?
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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.
Purpose for the job: The Chief, Child Protection reports to the Deputy Representative for general guidance and direction. The Chief is responsible for managing and leading all stages of child protection programmes/projects from strategic planning and formulation to achieving concrete and sustainable contributions to national and international efforts to create a protective environment for children against all harm and to protect their rights to survival, development and well being as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/frameworks and UN intergovernmental bodies.
The Chief is responsible for leading and managing the child protection section and establishing the plans of action to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable programme results, according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), and UNICEF’s Strategic Plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Managerial leadership
2. Programme development and planning
3. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results
4. Advisory services and technical support
5. Advocacy, networking and partnership building
6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD/TOR - Chief Child Protection, P5, FT
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
- A minimum of ten years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas, at the international level, is required.
- Strong experience influencing policy and advocating for systemic changes to advance child protection and human rights is required.
- Proven track record of establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including the government, civil societies, NGOs, the private sector, and academia is required.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strong programme, people and thought leadership, direction and mentorship to a team of senior technical experts working across different offices and fostering a collaborative work environment. (required)
- Driving and managing programmatic change by providing strategic direction and support to team members during transitions, ensuring alignment with new programmatic priorities and enabling successful implementation across all levels. (required)
Desirables
- Strong experience working with vulnerable groups, lawmakers, and law enforcement personnel.
- Strong technical expertise and understanding of the child protection sector that is transferrable to the context of India.
- Ability to think beyond traditional service delivery and make multi-sectoral linkages (e.g., with education and other channels)
- Capacity to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and engage effectively at high levels (e.g., with ministers)
- Openness to innovation and a forward-thinking approach to evolving UNICEF's role from downstream service delivery to more of a convening, partnering and catalyzing function.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively advocate for UNICEF's priorities.
- Familiarity with the programming environment in India (or a comparable context) and the ability to hit the ground running.
- Relevant experience in programme management in child protection-related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
- Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.
NB: The UNICEF India Country Office will host an information session for interested applicants tentatively on Tuesday, 14 January 2025, 6:30–7:30 PM India time (GMT+5:30). Click Here to register for the event and receive the meeting link once the date and time has been finalized.
Session highlights include:
- Discover the UNICEF India Country Office and its role in improving the health and well-being of India’s children.
- Engage with our passionate team and learn about India and our office culture. Explore the Chief Child Protection role, programme priorities, and reach – and the impact you can make.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
- This position is based in New Delhi, India.
- The vacancy is open to internal and external candidates.
- This position is open to Non-Indian Nationals only.
- The selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance.
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who are nationals of low, lower-middle or upper-middle-income countries from non- and underrepresented regions (Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, West and Central Africa, and East Asia and the Pacific) and from candidates holding a degree from a university in countries of the Global South. We particularly welcome applications from women, transgender, gender non-conforming individuals, and persons with disabilities.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.