Organization Mission

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, 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 favouritism. 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 including nutrition, early childhood development, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil 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

Context

Rwanda has made significant strides in advancing children’s rights through policy and legislative reforms, inclusive alternative care for children with disabilities, and the development of a comprehensive child protection system addressing both development and humanitarian contexts. Key achievements include the launch of the Child Protection Case Management Framework and holistic programming for children with disabilities. UNICEF, in partnership with the Government, UN agencies, and other stakeholders, works to protect all children, including those in refugee and emergency settings. Despite progress, high rates of physical and sexual violence, emerging online risks, and vulnerabilities linked to public health and climate-related emergencies highlight the urgent need to embed violence prevention and gender-based violence (GBV) mitigation into all preparedness and response plans.
To address these challenges, UNICEF and partners are implementing innovative strategies that strengthen protective capacities in schools and communities, promote positive parenting, ensure emergency responses are free from GBV, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and violence against children (VAC), and integrate child protection into climate action. These efforts also prioritize the active participation of children and adolescents, the creation of safe digital spaces, and the use of technology to raise awareness, prevent violations, and improve access to protection services. Within this framework, the UN volunteer will support UNICEF’s Child Protection team in implementing these strategies, contributing to comprehensive prevention and response efforts that safeguard the rights and well-being of children and women across Rwanda

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Child Protection Specialist and engage with Education Section and Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) to implement child protection and safeguarding in school settings.
• Support the UNICEF child protection component of programming for child safeguarding and Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Provide technical and programmatic support to existing partnerships to implement parenting strategies that prevent violence against children and women using innovative approaches including digital platforms, mass media and face to face interactions.
• Work together with the Child Protection Specialist to integrate strategies to mitigate GBV and SEA risks and prevent and respond to violence against in emergencies preparedness and response plans.
• Contribute, in close collaboration with SBC and Communications, to the development/packaging and dissemination of children, adolescent, and youth peer support materials on prevention of violence, abuse and exploitation, including child online protection, child protection in schools, child safeguarding and protection from Sexual exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
• Support monitoring, quality checks and documentation for the pilot of child protection and safeguarding in schools and surrounding communities

Required Skills and Experience

• Professional experience in social work, child protection, law, human rights, psychology, sociology or development work is required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to meet deadlines, and to take initiative to troubleshoot and solve problems before they arise,
• Have an affinity with or interest in child rights and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development and the UN System.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact with multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with UNICEF Child Protection programming in Rwanda would be an asset.

Core Competencies

☒Adaptability and Flexibility
☒Building Trust
☒Commitment and Motivation
☒Communication
☒Creativity
☒Ethics and Values
☒Integrity
☒Knowledge Sharing
☒Professionalism
☒Respect for Diversity
☒Self-Management
☒Technological Awareness
☒Working in Teams

Living Conditions

Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, has experienced remarkable rejuvenation and stability, reflected in its modern infrastructure, safe environment, and well-organized transport system. While motorcycle taxis are the fastest option, standard taxis, public buses with prepaid cards, and rental cars offer safer alternatives. The city boasts well-maintained roads with minimal congestion. Accommodations and recreational facilities are readily available, alongside diverse shopping options for imported goods and essentials. Kigali has both public and private healthcare facilities, with major hospitals like King Faisal Hospital and Legacy Clinic offering comprehensive services and accepting CIGNA insurance. The city is exceptionally safe, with emergency services accessible via 999 for police, 111 for firefighters, and 112 for general emergencies.