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.
The fundamental mission of UNICEF, anchored in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does. UNICEF is committed to child safeguarding in delivering on its mission and expects everyone in UNICEF to take proactive measures to limit direct and indirect collateral risks of harm to children, arising from UNICEF’s work, UNICEF personnel, or UNICEF associates. Child safeguarding in UNICEF has an organizational focus and is distinct from UNICEF’s programmatic Child Protection work.
UNICEF’s Private Fundraising & Partnerships Division (PFP), based in Geneva, Switzerland, has specific organizational child safeguarding accountabilities and responsibilities under relevant UNICEF regulations. These accountabilities include continuously strengthening child safeguarding in the Division, as well as working with National Committees for UNICEF and partners. National Committees are independent nongovernmental organizations who act in their countries to support UNICEF and advance child rights and well-being domestically, regionally, and globally through fundraising, advocacy and other agreed activities in support of UNICEF’s mission.
The Policy Specialist (Child Safeguarding) will lead on supporting robust safeguarding practice through development and implementation of child safeguarding policy frameworks, standards and procedures, technical guidance and training within PFP and with the National Committees, working with a wide variety of stakeholders.
The Policy Specialist (Child Safeguarding) will work under the direction and guidance of PFP’s Chief of Governance, Country Relations, and support the Chief of Governance in the provision of authoritative child safeguarding advice to senior management. The incumbent will also provide strategic inputs, guidance, and support to the UNICEF Safeguarding Office in New York and other parts of the organization and stakeholders as needed.
For every child, an advocate.
How can you make a difference?
Provide authoritative expert child safeguarding advice, guidance and technical support, develop capacity and resources, and facilitate training to the National Committees for UNICEF, informed by UNICEF’s context, applicable arrangements, and the national regulatory and legal contexts of the respective National Committees. Complete related reporting informed by UNICEF’s context. Provide authoritative expert child safeguarding advice, guidance, and technical support, as well as develop capacity and resources, and facilitate training to the PFP Division and to other parts of the organization as agreed to strengthen and support the development and implementation of UNICEF’s child safeguarding framework. Complete related reporting informed by UNICEF’s context. In line with the global organizational child safeguarding developments, conduct child safeguarding research, develop or propose (updates to) policies, procedures, standards, guidance, and information materials in support of alignment across the ecosystem, informed by the UNICEF and National Committee regulatory and other context. Identify and report on a regular and timely basis of emerging risk areas related to child safeguarding and advise on opportunity/threat mitigation measures to be adopted. Represent and contribute child safeguarding considerations relevant to the private sector and National Committees within the organization and as otherwise agreed. To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…Education:
An advanced university degree in social work or child safeguarding (preferred), human/child rights, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with 10 years of professional experience in a relevant field may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of 8 years of authoritative expertise in child safeguarding and progressively responsible professional work experience in organizational child safeguarding, including knowledge and understanding of safeguarding standards and rights-based approaches to working with children is required, preferably in civil society as well as inter-governmental context. Experience in social work and nongovernmental organizational context is essential. Experience leading organizational child safeguarding strategy, and organizational culture, engagement, and capacity-building initiatives is required. Experience designing and working with all aspects of child safeguarding frameworks, including mechanisms for planning, risk management, queries, complaints, investigation, and reporting in an international and national context is essential. Demonstrated understanding of international best child safeguarding practices and experience in developing policy documents, guidance, and capacity-building materials is essential. Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering interactive, participatory, and audience-specific training and other capacity-building activities, including for boards, staff, volunteers, and private sector partners, is essential. Significant experience in project management, communications, and knowledge management is desirable. Experience with child safeguarding work in UNICEF and National Committees is an advantage. Demonstrated understanding of and experience with nonprofit governance requirements across different country contexts, including regulatory and governance requirements for safeguarding, is essential.Others:
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, including communicating difficult and challenging concepts to a wide range of audiences and the ability to convince and convene people and bring about change by fostering ownership and commitment to the issues. Strong organizational/strategic/analytical skills are essential, including on communicating and driving understanding around difficult, technical or challenging concepts to a wide range of audiences. Ability to work independently and consultatively within a team, as well as in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, and follow established policies and procedures, is essential. An ability and willingness to travel on official missions is essential.Language requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Excellent spoken and written English is essential, including excellent (policy) writing and editing skills. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is an asset.For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...
Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) Works Collaboratively with others (1) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) Innovates and Embraces Change (1) Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) Drives to achieve impactful results (1) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.
This vacancy is archived.