Chief, Child Protection
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
United Nations Children's Fund
Closing date: 30 Apr 2010
Location: Zambia - Lusaka
Purpose of the Position
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, you will be accountable for the development, design, planning, implementation and management of the Child Protection programme within the country programme.
As head of section, you will direct, lead and manage a group of professional and support staff to develop, manage and administer the sectoral or inter-sectoral project/programme.
You will be responsible for ensuring an effective planning, implementation and monitoring of all projects undertaken by the section as well as developing new project proposals for further fundraising. In addition the incumbent needs to effectively interact with a wide range of partners at all levels, including policy/law enforcement authorities, high level Government officials and civil society groups, in order to address non-fulfilment of the rights to protection in Zambia. Within the office, s/he is expected to provide guidance to the other programme sections and advise the Representative in order to ensure compliance of UNICEF`s programme activities with the CRC.
The work of the section is focused on strengthening services to protect the rights of particularly vulnerable children. Specifically, under the new country programme starting 2011, it is anticipated that the section will be focusing on policies and systems strengthening around programmes that target children affected by specific and high-risk manifestations of vulnerability, i.e. those in conflict / in contact with the police and judiciary; children in and on the street; children and women affected by violence; children affected by disability; children in child headed households / without adequate care; and child trafficking and domestic labour. The internal organisation of the section above may alter to accommodate this approach as the CPD is finalised.
The programme areas under child protection form one part of UNICEF Zambia support to components of the national social protection strategy. Others fall under different programme sections, as well as the social policy section. The social policy section coordinates work on social protection and provides technical assistance to the national social cash transfer schemes.
Key Expected Results
1. UNICEF’s global goals effectively promoted through advocacy and policy dialogue to strength child protection as integral component of national development in Zambia
2. Priority child protection measures effectively planned, targeted, implemented, coordinated, monitored and reported, based on strengthening national capacity and systems.
3. Actors, stakeholders, community members and leaders aware of the importance of good practice in rights-based child protection programmes, through training, capacity building, advocacy, dialogue and effective knowledge management.
4. Relevant national sectoral policies, plans, strategies and programming reflect priorities for child protection.
5. Programme delivery, evaluation and reporting carried out efficiently, rigorously and transparently in compliance with the established guidelines and procedures.
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Advanced university degree, preferably in the social sciences, law or other relevant field.
Eight years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national and international levels, relevant to international development assistance in the areas of child protection. Background/familiarity with Emergency.
Expert technical leadership and knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the combination of selective fields of the following: Strengthening child protection systems and partner capacity for protecting children against violence; in emergencies; in respect of harmful traditional practices; in improving justice for children and in strengthening social welfare systems.
Use of data and indicators in child protection.
Fluency in English and a second UN language. Local working language of the duty station an asset.
Competencies of Successful Candidate
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and gender equality in its workplace. Women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to apply
If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children's rights organization, would like to hear from you.
Visit us at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies in Human Resources Management, quoting E-VN-2010-000635. Applications must be received by 30 April 2010.
Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.
In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
