Child Protection Expert

Mission and objectivesUNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In all its work, UNICEF takes a life cycle-based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation. 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. We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Contexteverything 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 child protection, health and education 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. The Child Protection Expert reports to Partnerships (Child Protection) Specialist for close guidance and supervision. The Child Protection Expert provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process for child protection programmes/projects within the Country Programme from development planning to delivery of results. H/She prepares, executes, manages, and implements a variety of technical and administrative programme tasks to facilitate programme development, implementation, programme progress monitoring, evaluating and reporting. This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF Ukraine’s flagship Better Care Reform, supporting national and local stakeholders to advance family- and community-based care, strengthen child protection systems, and ensure that every child in Ukraine can grow up in a safe and nurturing family environment.

Task DescriptionSupport to programme development and planning • Research and analyze national and regional political, social, economic and child protection trends to inform programme design and planning. • Prepare high-quality technical inputs and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance. • Contribute to results-based planning by supporting the development of sectoral objectives, strategies and priorities. • Provide technical and administrative support across all stages of the programming cycle, including RBM, monitoring and evaluation, in line with organizational processes. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results • Coordinate closely with colleagues and partners to track implementation progress, address challenges and propose solutions. • Participate in monitoring, evaluation, programme reviews and sectoral reviews with government and partners, and prepare follow-up reports. • Monitor and report on the use of programme resources, ensuring compliance with approved plans, donor requirements and accountability standards. Technical and operational support to programme implementation • Conduct field visits and assessments, and share findings with partners and stakeholders. • Provide technical and operational guidance to government counterparts, NGOs, UN agencies and donors on UNICEF child protection policies, strategies and best practices. Networking and partnership building • Build and maintain effective partnerships with government and national stakeholders to support implementation and strengthen capacities. • Engage in inter-agency coordination and UN planning processes to align and harmonize UNICEF child protection priorities. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building • Capture, synthesize and share lessons learned to inform knowledge development and strengthen systems. • Contribute as a resource person to capacity-building initiatives for partners and stakeholders.

Competencies and valuesCore Competencies • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness • Works Collaboratively with others • Builds and Maintains Partnerships • Innovates and Embraces Change • Thinks and Acts Strategically • Drive to achieve impactful results • Manages ambiguity and complexity Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability

Living conditions and remarksAs it is a national UN Volunteer's assignment, the UN volunteer shall organize his/her accommodation by themselves. The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract. Allowances: • Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): USD 2076 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”. • USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment. Medical and life insurance: • Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date. • Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum. Leave entitlements: • Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment. • Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period. • Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle. • Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.