Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Bria in the Child Protection Unit of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Child Protection Officer reports to the Head of Field Office as First Reporting Officer, and to the Senior Child Protection Advisor as Second Reporting Officer.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Child Protection Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Advises Head of Office on child protection concerns and supports the mainstreaming of child protection concerns into all aspects of the activities, strategies, policies, and training programs of the peacekeeping operation and assists in the overall implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions (SCRs) on children and armed conflict and the mission’s mandate, including through supporting the development of internal guidance on child protection concerns. • Works directly with other UN peace operation components, including UN police and military, Human Rights, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), Security Sector Reform (SSR), Rule of Law, to integrate a child-conscious approach in their work. • Researches, collects reliable, accurate and timely data on and, where necessary, conducts investigations into the six grave violations identified by the UN Security Council and other violations committed against children. • Provides timely inputs to relevant periodic reports to DPO and to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC), including reporting to the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. • Ensures timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefing notes, talking points and any other communications to brief senior mission staff in compliance with the mission mandate. • Supports the mission in implementing the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) established pursuant to S/RES/1612 (2005) in coordination with the UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting. • Provides appropriate backstopping to Child Protection Unit’s efforts toward the signing and implementation of national action plans to address grave violations against children as called for in SCRs 1539, 1612, 1882 and 1998 • Analyzes grave violations against children in order to engage in a dialogue with parties to the conflict to prevent grave violations • Provides training on child rights and child protection to military, police and civilian staff of the mission. • Liaises with national authorities, civil society, UN actors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the host government in advocating the mission’s defined objectives with relevant coordination mechanisms in ensuring adequate responses to violations committed against children, supports capacity building activities and the peace process and strengthens prevention activities as per SCR 2427 (2018). • Supports the development of governmental protection/prevention strategies and mechanisms in area of responsibility • Undertakes field visits and/or joint assessment missions as directed and ensures up-to-date information sharing on substantive matters related to rights of the child. • Provides guidance to and may supervise new/more junior staff. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of institutional mandates, organizational structures and policies within the UN, guidelines and methodologies relating to child protection including the legal framework for the protection of children, relevant Security Council resolutions and mandates related to children and armed conflict, the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, child sensitive DDR, juvenile justice, legislative reforms and gender. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, human rights, social sciences or a related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international levels in human rights, political affairs, international relations or law, including in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child in accordance with international standards, is required. Experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable Experience working in or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.