UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, Hope
Mali is a Sahelian landlocked west African country with an estimated population of 20,5 million people in 2020 (INSTAT, 2022) with more than half of them (57.3%) living in rural areas. Its economy is classified as low income with half of the population (50.3%) living below poverty line and a low human development index of 0.434 (UNDP, 2022) positioning the country on a rank of 184 out of 189 countries and territories of the world.
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 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
How can you make a difference?
Purpose for the job:
The incumbent of the position is accountable for developing, managing, co-ordinating, networking, implementing and monitoring the Key Result for Children #6 on child marriage, adolescent programming by promoting intersectionality with education, C4D, health and social policy, GBV interventions, and FGM. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of the Child Protection programmatic areas and for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting of progress of child protection goals within the country programme by ensuring that a gender and adolescent’s approach in integrated.
The Child Protection Specialist contributes to the ability of the Child Protection Programme in Mali to deliver on its expected results in the areas of child marriage, FGM, and other gender-related child protection issues regarding adolescent programming. Strategies include support to national level policy and coordination efforts, community engagement and advocacy for behavioral and social change, strengthening of integrated service delivery models at decentralised levels, adolescent skills development and community engagement programmes, partnership and financial management and cross-programme collaboration.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Support to programme/project development and planning Support the preparation, design and updating of the situation analysis through a strong gender analysis for the child protection programmes/projects to ensure that current and comprehensive data on gender-related concerns on adolescents, child marriage and FGM, is available to guide UNICEF’s strategic policy advocacy, intervention and development efforts addressing violence, abuse and exploitation of children at all levels, and to set programme priorities, strategies, and design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery. Participate in strategic programme discussions on the planning of child protection programmes/projects. Formulate, design and prepare programme/project proposals for the sector, particularly on gender-related concerns, child marriage and FGM, as well as adolescent engagement ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s overall Strategic Plans and the Country Programme, as well as coherence and integration with the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), regional strategies and national priorities, plans and competencies. Establish specific goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans for the sector using results-based planning terminology and methodology (RBM). Prepare required documentations for programme review and approval. Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss strategies and methodologies, and to determine national priorities and competencies to ensure the achievement of concrete and sustainable results. Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes to ensure integration, coherence and harmonization of programmes/projects with other UNICEF sectors and achievement of results as planned and allocated.2. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Plan and collaborate with colleagues and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, other UNICEF/UN system indicators and measurements, to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sector in child protection programmes, particularly on gender-related concerns, child marriage, FGM and on adolescent engagement. Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required actions 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. Technical and operational support to programme implementation Provide technical guidance and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners and donors on the interpretation, application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes, best practices, and approaches on child protection related issues to support programme management, implementation and delivery of results. Support successful cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly with Health, Education, C4D, Social Policy for effectively address child marriage and other gender related child protection concerns, as well as to foster adolescents’ participation across UNICEF programming in Mali. Arrange and coordinate availability of technical experts with Regional Office/HQ to ensure timely and appropriate support throughout the programming process. Participate in child protection programme meetings, including programme development and contingency planning discussions on emergency preparedness in the country or other locations designated, to provide technical and operational information, advice and support. Draft policy papers, briefs and other strategic programme materials for management use, information and/or consideration. Networking and partnership building Build and sustain effective partnership with key implementing partners with government, civil society, academia, allies, donors, and other UN agencies for the acceleration of movement to end child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, to build capacity, exchange knowledge and expertise, and to reinforce cooperation to achieve sustainable and broad results including in relation to the Spotlight Initiative and the FGM Joint Programme Prepare communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships/alliances and to support fund raising for gender-related concerns on adolescents, child marriage and FGM, in development and humanitarian context addressing violence, abuse and exploitation of children at all levels. Participate and/or represent UNICEF in appropriate inter-agency (UNCT) discussions and planning on child protection related issues to collaborate with inter-agency Partners/colleagues on UNDAF planning and preparation of programmes/projects. Ensure organizational position, Interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UNDAF process for development planning and agenda setting. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building Support innovation and knowledge management in the area of child marriage, FGM, other gender related child protection concerns and regarding adolescents’ , to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders, and to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results. Keep abreast, research, benchmark, and implement best practices in child protection management and information systems. Assess, institutionalize, and share best practices and knowledge learned. Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes and projects. Organize and implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders to promote sustainable results in child protection and related programmes/projects.Impact of Results
The strategic and effective advocacy, planning and formulation of child protection programmes/projects and the achievement of sustainable results contributes to the achievement of goals and objectives to create a protective environment for children against harm, all forms of violence and ensures their survival, development and wellbeing in society. Achievements 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.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science fieldFor every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
Core Competencies
Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2) Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) Works Collaboratively with others (2) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) Innovates and Embraces Change (2) Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) Drive to achieve impactful results (2) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)Functional Competencies
Applying Technical Expertise (3) Deciding and Initiating Actions (2) · Analyzing (3) · Planning and Organizing (2) Leading and Supervising (1) Adapting and responding to change (2) Follows instructions and Procedure (2)UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.
** Bamako is a Category D. Non-Family duty station. The Rest and Recuperation Cycle is 8 weeks.
This vacancy is archived.