ABOUT THE COMPANY:

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future

JOB SUMMARY

The Child Protection Officer will contribute to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of UNICEF’s programmes in both Fiji and Tonga, focusing largely on Child Protection programme in conjunction with the Education and Health and Nutrition component of the workplan developed with the Government of Tonga to achieve UNICEF’s multisector goals and objectives for the country.

The CP Officer will also serve as UNICEF Pacific’s focal point in Tonga to manage the overall partnership UNICEF has with both government and civil society partners working in the area of child protection, towards implementing the Child Protection Rolling Workplans with the Government of Tonga.

Responsibilities

1.

Provide timely strategic and technical support and coordination to the development, planning and implementation of the UNICEF Pacific Multi- Country Child Protection workplan

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design and management of child protection related programmes/projects.

Research and report on development trends (e.g. economic, social, health) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.

• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, analysis and reporting of child protection and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical, programme, operational, and administrative transactions, preparing related materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of results.
• Prepare required programme documentations, materials and data to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

2.

Programme Management, monitoring and delivery for results

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions.

Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects, and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations, procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity.

Report on critical issues and findings to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders.

Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.

• Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress

3. Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution.

Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.

• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in child protection, to support programme implementation.

4. Improve partnerships and coordination of UNICEF interventions for advocacy, technical cooperation, programme coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking.

• Act as a liaison for UNICEF Child Protection programmes with partners under the guidance of the Chief of Child Protection.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions.

Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.

• Coordinate activities and exchanges information and knowledge with other government and non-government partners and UN agencies to promote knowledge generation, information and experience sharing, and lessons learned.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programmes.

5.

Emergency preparedness is maintained, and in emergencies, emergency responses with effective coordination are provided.

• Collaborate in supporting emergency preparedness plan relating to the areas of responsibility.

In case of emergency, participate in monitoring and assessing the nature and extent of the emergency in the assigned area.

Requirements

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience is required in social development planning, programming and management in child protection related areas is required.
• Work experience with governments and/or UN agencies in the Pacific is desired and a strong asset.
• Experience at partnerships development with inter-governmental regional bodies and associations is required.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English required.

Knowledge of the local language of the duty station and Tonga would be an asset.

Desirables:

• An advanced university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, public health, child development, or another relevant social science field is an asset.
• Relevant experience in Planning, Programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes in areas such as gender, child protection, human rights or similar.
• Proven work experience related to child protection, gender and human rights and education in the Pacific region
• Experience in working on multi-sectoral programmes is highly desirable.
• At least one year of international experience in developing country will be considered as an asset.
• Work experience in the Pacific is highly desirable.
• Background/familiarity with emergencies is considered an asset.

REQUIRED EDUCATION: Bachelor Degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 24