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UNICEF maintains unwavering support in addressing the needs of children and communities affected by humanitarian crises. Central to this engagement is UNICEF’s role in supporting humanitarian coordination – together with national and local stakeholders – to improve effectiveness of Child Protection in emergencies, reach collective humanitarian results and fulfill UNICEF’s global accountabilities as cluster lead agency for the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CPAoR). In Niger CPAOR is led by UNICEF and co-led by the Direction of Child Protection (included in the Ministry of Public Health) and comprises CPiE (Child Protection in Emergencies) representatives of National and International NGOs working in the area of CPiE.
In 2023, UNICEF Niger launched its new Country Programme (2023-2027) with the aim of ensuring that populations, including women, children, adolescents, young people and special needs groups, have more inclusive, equitable and enhanced access to quality basic social services, decent employment, social protection and protection from harmful practices.
The challenges facing Niger’s basic social services, include limited resources, epidemics, hard-to-reach areas due to insecurity and population displacement, particularly in the regions of Diffa, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Maradi. In addition, migratory movements have led to increased vulnerability for at risk propulations particularly children.
Psychological and emotional abuse, sexual and physical violence, abductions, exposure to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are among the protection risks affecting children according to several assessments. The recruitment and use of children in non-state armed groups (NSAGs) is also an issue, although not well documented due to the reluctance of communities to talk about it. Family separation is a major concern that protection assessment reports highlight with every displacement.
In addition to the consequences of displacement and security incidents, migration and child trafficking are emerging issues in the Agadez and Zinder regions.
The deterioration of the socio-economic situation, contributes to increased sexual violence in the family, community and school, affecting girls and boys and adolescents. Services and responses to child and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse are limited, as well as tools for the prevention of GBV incidents against children and adolescents. For girls, the security crisis as well as the closure of schools, is a major factor in the aggravation of early marriage (which is already a structural problem) as a negative coping mechanism for families.
To ensure full geographic and thematic coverage of child protection actors in Niger, this role is required to coordinate the interventions. This post holder will be assisted by a part-time information management manager who collects and analyzes data on Child Protection contexts and activities carried out by Child Protection actors in the humanitarian settings.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Chief Field Operations & Emergency, the Child Protection Area Of Responsibility Coordinator is responsible for giving technical assistance and support to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency interventions in the Child Protection sector. In particular, the CPAoR Coordinator is responsible for facilitating and coordinating the CPAoR sub provide guidance to all partners on common standards, strategies and approaches, ensure that all critical child protection gaps and vulnerabilities are identified; and that information is provided on roles, responsibilities and accountability to ensure that all gaps are addressed without duplication. The Child Protection Specialist (Sub-Cluster) works with the Protection Cluster and in close collaboration with the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Area of Responsibility.
The main responsibilities of the Child Protection Specialist (Sub Cluster) are the following:
1. Collaboration with Protection Cluster, SGBV Sub-Cluster and other actors
- Work with the Protection Cluster and other, humanitarian actors, at national and field level, to respond to humanitarian needs and coordinate emergency responses.
- Collaborate with the Protection Cluster and contribute to Child Protection/Gender Based Violence coordination mechanisms, prevention and response,
- Work with the Protection Cluster and/or other actors to identify opportunities to integrate Child Protection into other protection sub-sectors activities.
- contribute to the development of key messages for broader humanitarian advocacy/messaging initiatives of the protection cluster or the office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator.
2. Strategic Planning
- ln collaboration with Child Protection Actors, implement the 2025 Child Protection Sub Cluster plan, based on the analysis of 2024 plan achievements and gaps and develop and update a Child Protection sub-cluster strategy.
- Train regional actors (Child Protection Regional Services and Child Protection Working Groups on coordination including key coordination tools and work with Child protection actors to reinforce the national child protection systems such as Child Protection service mapping and establishment of a referral.
- Update the CPIE actors’ mapping, which enables to identify gaps, avoid duplication, and build complementarity of partner actions.
3. Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Work with the Protection Cluster lead to ensure that key child protection concerns are reflected in OCHA led multi-sectoral assessments and monitoring tools.
- With Child Protection Actors, ensure periodic review against agreed indicators of interagency response.
- With partners, identify response gaps (including geographic coverage and programmatic scope) and seek solutions for filling gaps.
- Contribute to the preparation of UNICEF monthly Situation Reports (SitRep).
- Coordinate the updating of OCHA Online Reporting System (ORS).
4. Capacity Building
- Strengthen the functioning of the Case Management Task Force created within the CP AoR to improve the quality of the actors' interventions and then contribute to the management of information on vulnerable children at government level through the CPMIS+/PRIMERO.
- Work with Child Protection actors at national and field levels to implement the capacity building inter-agency plan that meets the needs of key national and local stakeholders (e.g. training on Mental Health and, national psychosocial guide update, PSEA (protection from sexual exploitation and abuse) awareness)
- Collaborate with the Mental Health and Psychosocial Working Group to take account of the child dimension and introduce appropriate working tools for child protection stakeholders.
5. Management and Representation
- Promote, respect and ensure that the Principles of Partnership are reflected in the day-to-day work of the Child Protection coordination mechanism at national as well as field level.
- Establish results-oriented, two-way communication channels between the national and regional level to strengthen a more standardized operational child protection response.
- Represent Child Protection Actors within the Protection Cluster, the OCHA lead inter - cluster coordination mechanisms and, when possible, within the HCT/UN country team, as well as within any other inter-agency humanitarian coordination mechanism.
- Maintain the contact with the global Child Protection Area of Responsibility through calls, meetings, sharing information, documents and tools.
6. Fund Raising
- Promote 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP).
- Set up an advocacy and fundraising Task Force to support national and local NGOs in their advocacy and fundraising strategies.
- ln consultation with Child Protection Actors, coordinate mobilization of resources through humanitarian funding mechanisms, including Regional Humanitarian Fund for West and Central Africa and CERF.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- 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.
- At least 5 years’ experience, in inter-agency coordination and programme management in the area of child protection in emergencies.
- Demonstrated excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, facilitation, advocacy and writing skills.
- Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset.
- Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
- Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered as an added advantage.
- Full working proficiency in oral and written French is required; Working Knowledge in English required.
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…
- Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
- Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
- Innovates and embraces change (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
- Thinks and acts strategically (1)
- Works collaboratively with others (1).
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:
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. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
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.
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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.
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