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For every child, a hero

Every child has the right to grow up free from violence, exploitation, abuse, and harmful practices. In recent years, Tajikistan has made significant steps towards protecting children from all forms of violence. In 2024, the government adopted a legislation that introduces a prohibition of all corporal punishment of children and the amendments include provisions allowing children to independently submit complaints to state institutions without age limitations. The legal framework now provides enhanced protection for children and sets a precedent for progressive child rights legislation in Tajikistan and can have a catalytic effect on action to end all forms of violence against children. Meanwhile, the government continues to make progress in the process of deinstitutionalization of children – the number of children in residential care decreased by 18 per cent (from 8,099 in 2020 to 6,616 in 2022).

The current environment in Tajikistan is conducive in pushing the child protection agenda and realizing significant reforms for better outcomes for children. Two examples include the government commitment in developing the National Programme for Child Protection System Reform and in developing an effective diversion programme and mechanism – both of which will be milestone accomplishment to be supported by UNICEF. We look forward to welcoming an dynamic and innovative member to the team to head our Child Protection Programme at an exciting and important juncture in Tajikistan!

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative, Chief Child Protection is responsible for managing and supervising all stages of child protection programmes/projects from strategic planning and formulation to delivery of 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 also responsible for establishing the plans of action and overseeing work progress to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable programme/project 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 

• Establish the section’s annual work plan with the child protection team, including cross-sectoral collaboration; set priorities/targets and performance measurements. Monitor work progress and ensure results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Establish clear individual performance objectives, goals and timelines; and provide timely guidance to enable the team to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently. Plan and ensure timely performance management and assessment of the team.
• Supervise team members by providing them with clear objectives and goals, direction and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Supervise the work of the Disability Inclusion focal point, ensuring cross-sectoral programming on disability inclusion.

     2. Programme development and planning

• Provide technical advice and operational support to the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis to ensure that current and comprehensive evidence based data on child protection issues is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts on child rights and protection, and to set programme priorities, strategies, design and implementation plans.
• Keep abreast of national, regional and international development priorities on child protection and rights to leverage UNICEF’s position and competencies with donors, national governments, communities and constituents to advocate and promote child protection interventions, policies and social change to achieve goals on child’s rights, protection, survival and wellbeing, as productive members of society.
• Supervise the development of child protection programmes/projects (as a full component of the CO and/or UNSDCF programmes). Establish plans of action, programme goals and results, using results-based planning methodology and terminology (RBM).
• Guide and coordinate the timely preparation of programme recommendations and related documentation for inclusion in the Country Office Programme recommendation ensuring alignment with overall UNICEF Strategic (Child Protection) Plans, regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies.
• Collaborate with national and global colleagues, partners and allies to develop partnership frameworks to address specific needs and to leverage resources for enhancing and scaling up child protection programmes/projects.
• Ensure synergy, integration, coherence, and harmonization of programmes/projects with UNICEF Strategic Plans and priorities, donors’ development strategies/policies, national priorities/competencies and UN System development interventions/initiatives.

        3. Programme management, monitoring and quality control of results 

• Plan and collaborate on monitoring and evaluation initiatives to establish benchmarks, performance indicators and other UNICEF/UN system indicators, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results in child protection programmes.
• Participate in major monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with government and other counterparts to assess progress and to engage stakeholders to take required action and interventions to achieve results.
• Prepare and assess monitoring and evaluation reports to identify gaps, strengths, and/or weaknesses in programme management. Identify lessons learned and use knowledge gained for development planning and timely intervention to achieve goals.
• Monitor programmes/projects to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and potential problems. Take timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely resolution.
• Plan, approve, monitor, certify, and control the use of programme resources (financial, human, administrative and other assets) certifying/verifying compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures, donor commitments and standards of accountability and integrity. Ensure timely reporting and liquidation of resources.
• Submit and prepare programme/project reports to donors and other partners to keep them informed on programme progress and critical issues.

        4. Advisory services and technical support 

• Provide technical advice to key government officials, NGO, UN system and other country office partners on strategies and best practices to influence approaches/policies, support social/economic/political/legal development planning & implementation, and to support delivery of results on child protection, human rights and other related issues.
• Keep abreast of sensitive issues relating to child protection and human rights, and provide timely technical advice to country office management on risk mitigation measures.
• Coordinate and ensure the availability of technical experts (with Regional Office/HQ) to ensure timely support throughout all stages of programming/project processes.
• Participate in strategic discussions to influence policy and agenda setting for protection children from all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse by advising on and advocating strategies and approaches to promote and catalyze social changes for a protective environment for children.
• Lead in-country discussions on child protection emergency preparedness, programming and contingency planning to ensure proactive and appropriate responses are in place to meet onset of emergencies nationally, or in other designated locations.

        5. Advocacy, networking, partnership building and resource mobilization 

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy with local/national governments, UN system agency partners, donors, internationally recognized institutions, NGOs, funding organizations, research institutes and private sector to reinforce cooperation and/or pursue opportunities to promote goals and achieve sustainable and broad results on child protection.
• Prepare communication strategies and implementation plans and activities for maximum communication impact and outreach to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances for sustainable results and support fund raising for UNICEF and Country Office child protection programmes and emergency interventions.
• Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency discussions and planning on child survival related issues to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNSDCF planning and preparation, ensuring organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNSDCF process in development planning and agenda setting.
• Ensure the work plan is well resourced financially for effective and timely implementation. In close cooperation with the Chief of Partnerships, implement the country office resource mobilization strategy, particularly those related to child protection. Engage in resource mobilization discussions with public/bilateral donors, National Committees, and private sector. Oversee the development of the section’s fundraising proposals, ensuring timeliness and adherence to the quality standards.
• Build strategic relations with the government and the international financial institutions to effectively leverage finances for the priorities for children in the country.
• Ensure donor and partner visibility and recognition, in close collaboration with the Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships team

       6. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable child protection programme/project initiatives through advocacy and technical advisory services.
• Keep abreast, research, benchmark, introduce, and implement best and cutting-edge practices on child protection management and information systems. Institutionalize and disseminate best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects.
• Organize, plan and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results on child protection and related programmes/projects.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 

 Chief Child Protection Level 4_final_ED.docx

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: 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.
• Work Experience: A minimum of eight years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas, at the international level, is required. Experience working in both development and humanitarian contexts is considered an asset. Experience on social protection is an added advantage. Relevant experience in programme development in child protection related areas in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian or local language of the duty station is considered a strong asset.

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 (level 2)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (level 2)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (level 2)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (level 2)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (level 2)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (level 2)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (level 2)

(8) Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (level 2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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.

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.