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At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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For every child, the right to Protection

How can you make a difference?

The position is based in the Humanitarian Policy Section (HPS), Protection Team, within UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) in New York. EMOPS leads and supports UNICEF’s preparedness and response to humanitarian crisis and provides strategic coordination with humanitarian partners. The HPS Protection Team develops global and field-level policy and guidance and undertakes advocacy related to the Protection of Civilians, Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), international humanitarian law and human rights law. The team also provides strategic advice and support, contributes to inter-agency processes related to protection, and leads advocacy towards the Security Council and other relevant UN bodies. The position contributes to these objectives by providing technical and strategic expertise on the CAAC agenda and supporting UNICEF’s global policy, advocacy and inter-agency engagement in this area.

As the Humanitarian Policy Specialist – CAAC, you will have an opportunity to contribute to UNICEF’s work to protect children affected by armed conflict. Under the supervision of the Humanitarian Policy and Advocacy Manager, you will help advance the Children and Armed Conflict agenda from a UNICEF policy perspective, working closely with colleagues at field, regional and headquarters levels. You will provide technical and strategic expertise on CAAC and represent UNICEF in key fora, supporting the advancement of child protection priorities with key stakeholders.

1. Support the development of inter-agency and UNICEF policies and guidance related to Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC)
- Provide timely UNICEF feedback on inter-agency documents and initiatives related to the protection of children, ensuring consistency with UNICEF’s positions and policies.
- Support the development of high-quality working papers, guidance and policies to support field colleagues and strengthen UNICEF’s response in emergencies.
- Provide accurate and timely ad hoc guidance to UNICEF colleagues on issues related to CAAC, international humanitarian law, human rights law and related areas.

2. Support the effective implementation of UNICEF’s mandate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) globally
- Coordinate engagement with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC) on issues of common concern.
- Coordinate with the OSRSG-CAAC on Security Council reporting requirements to ensure inputs from UNICEF regional and country offices are accurately reflected and potential negative impacts on field operations are mitigated.
- Co-chair meetings of the MRM Technical Reference Group (TRG) and support the development of related policies and practical guidance for MRM practitioners.
- Coordinate support to MRM Country Task Forces (CTFMRs), in collaboration with the Child Protection team and OSRSG-CAAC, on emerging policy issues, including high-level and technical meetings and joint field visits.
- Serve as UNICEF focal point to the Security Council Working Group on CAAC (SCWG), including participation in field visits, and coordinate UNICEF’s interventions before the SCWG.

3. Support UNICEF’s engagement on the Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict
- Coordinate UNICEF’s review of the Secretary-General’s annual report on CAAC, including guidance and support to concerned country and regional offices and related advocacy.
- Coordinate EMOPS support to country offices, regional offices and headquarters on CAAC-related issues, including guidance on engagement with parties to conflict, risk management, engagement with OSRSG-CAAC, and private and public advocacy.
-  Coordinate UNICEF’s principal-level involvement in the Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict and in bi-annual meetings of the HQ Task Force on CAAC.
- Support offices in developing options papers, Q&As and risk-management analyses to strategically position UNICEF and manage risk effectively.
- Engage with Member States, Groups of Friends of CAAC, civil society and other UN entities to support UNICEF’s advocacy on protecting children in armed conflict.

4. Support UNICEF’s engagement in multilateral fora and with key partners on other relevant protection topics
- Engage with Member States, including SCWG members, and key partners to influence Security Council resolutions, presidential statements and conclusions on protection of civilians and IHL issues, ensuring appropriate inclusion of child-protection language consistent with UNICEF’s positions.
- Develop statements, briefing notes and other preparatory materials to support UNICEF’s high-level engagement on key protection and IHL issues, including Arria-formula meetings and other panels.
- Participate on behalf of UNICEF in relevant meetings, workshops and events and support the reflection of UNICEF’s positions.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD_Humanitarian Policy Specialist (Children and Armed Conflict)_P3

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Law, Social Science, Political Science, International Development, Human right, Anthropology and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance, Child Protection, Advocacy, Humanitarian action and any other related fields.
• Skills: Experience in Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) Humanitarian Policy, Inter-agency Coordination, Strategic Analysis and Stakeholder Engagement.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
• Experience engaging in inter-governmental fora.
• Strong knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights law.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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

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

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable male 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.

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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.