The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context :

The situation for unaccompanied child on the move in Tunisia is dire. They face violence, exploitation, an uncertain future, and struggle to access basic services. Urgent action is needed to safeguard the rights and well-being of these vulnerable children.

The UNICEF response for children on the move, which started in mid-2023 in support of IOM and UNHCR was formalized through a Letter of Understanding end of 2023, including providing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services and protection services, such as case management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

Additionally, UNICEF continues to lead efforts to ensure that the child protection system in Tunisia is inclusive and safeguards all children.

Purpose for the job:

The Child Protection Associate reports to the Child Protection Officer for close guidance and supervision.

The Child Protection Associate provides professional technical, operational, and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for the child protection programmes/projects through the application of theoretical and technical skills in researching, collecting, analyzing, and presenting technical programme information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development and formulation of the Child Protection Programme within the Country Programme.

Technical and operational support to child protection programme implementation

• Conduct Best Interest assessments (BIA) of child protection cases, integrating multi-sectoral perspectives and protection-specific assessments to inform case plans.
• Actively participate in Case Conferences and Best Interest Determination (BID) panels, drafting necessary documentation to support decision-making processes.
• Implement child protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for case management and ensure effective referral mechanisms to key services are in place and regularly updated.
• Maintain and update child case files in databases, ensuring compliance with UN standards for confidentiality and data protection.
• Assist in the opening and running of children’s clubs in the shelters.
• Monitor and support appropriate care arrangements for unaccompanied and separated children, facilitating referrals to relevant partners to establish family linkages.
• Engage children, youth, and communities actively in the implementation of child protection activities, providing them with information about available services and monitoring their needs to inform operational responses.
• Collaborate with children, youth, and community members to identify and develop community-based child protection initiatives that enhance local resilience.
• Ensure strict adherence to UNICEF’s child protection policies, including commitments to age, gender, diversity (AGD), accountability to affected populations (AAP), gender-based violence (GBV), gender equality, disability inclusion, and youth empowerment.

Partnership, Networking, and Capacity Building

• Assist in Child Protection inter-agency coordination efforts, contributing to information management, reporting and collaborative strategies.
• Perform other related duties as required, contributing to the overall mission of UNICEF in protecting the rights and well-being of children.

Impact Result:

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Child Protection Associate to programme implementation, contributes to achieving sustainable results to create a protective environment for children against harm and all forms of violence, and ensures their survival, development, and well-being in society. Success in child protection programmes and projects, in turn, contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to provide programme services for mothers and children that promotes greater social equality in the country.

Child Safeguarding

Child safeguarding involves proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel, or UNICEF associates. The risks may include those associated with physical violence (including corporal punishment); sexual violence, exploitation, or abuse; emotional and verbal abuse; economic exploitation; failure to provide for physical or psychological safety; neglect of physical, emotional or psychological needs; harmful cultural practices; and privacy violations. The incumbent to this role is expected to have special responsibilities in managing child safeguarding risks and in taking appropriate measures to prevent any harm to children. The role has the potential to particularly affect children, (i) because the incumbent will be working closely with children; (ii) with their data; (iii) because the children’s background or situation makes them vulnerable; or (iv) the role may entail responsibilities in reporting and responding to child safeguarding concerns. The position is considered as an “elevated risk role” and the appointee will be subject to a more rigorous vetting and training.

Education:

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.