UNICEF Job Opportunity in Uganda- Child Protection Specialist

Job Title: Child Protection Specialist

Closing Date: Sunday, 15 May 2011

UNICEF Kampala, George Street, Kampala

Type of Appointment : Temporary Duration: One year Level of position: L3

Purpose of the Position The purpose of the Temporary Assignment is to provide technical support to UNICEF Uganda in its role of Secretariat for the UN Child Protection Focal Point system for cross-border coordination in LRA affected countries (Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Uganda). The objective of this UN Child Protection Focal Point system is to enhance cross-border coordination and information sharing amongst UN Offices across the four countries affected by grave child rights violations committed by the LRA, including killing and maiming of children, abductions, recruitment and grave sexual violence.

The UN CP Focal Point for Uganda will coordinate on information exchange and cooperation in line with established standards and procedures to address grave child rights violations committed by the LRA. The incumbent of the post will work in close collaboration with the UNICEF Uganda Child Protection team, the UNICEF Regional Office (ESARO) as well as UNICEF Headquarter to:

I. Serve as a primary point of contact within Uganda on grave child rights violations committed by the LRA and serve as a first point of contact for coordination with relevant military and non-military stakeholders for care and potential cross-border repatriation and family reunification of children escaped, released or rescued from the LRA in line with the Operational Plan for Cross Border Repatriation, Care and Reunification of Children escaped or rescued from the LRA in CAR, DRC, Sudan and Uganda, and related Guiding Principles (October 2009)

II. Contribute to the development of regional and cross-border strategies on monitoring, reporting, responding to and preventing grave child rights violations committed by the LRA across the affected countries and share real-time information related thereto.

Duties and responsbilties: Under the supervision of the Chief, Child Protection Section, and in collaboration with Child Protection Specialist in Uganda CO, UNICEF Regional Office and UNICEF Headquarter, the candidate will carry out the following tasks:
1. Contribute to the implementation and the regular updating of the Operational Plan for Cross Border Repatriation, Care and Reunification of Children escaped or rescued from the LRA in CAR, DRC, Sudan and Uganda; and related Guiding Principles (October 2009). 2. To strengthen the existing coordination mechanisms within Uganda through streamlining the convening and information sharing process as well as the roles and responsibilities between the various actors to support the repatriation, reception and reinsertion of children formerly associated with the LRA. 3. Contribute to the Operationalization of the UPDF Standard Operating Procedures for Reception and hand over of children separated from the LRA. 4. Contribute to the development of joint advocacy messages for use with national governments, groupings of Member States (e.g. EU, AU), Permanent Missions to the UN, political and peacekeeping departments within the UN system, and other influential actors (e.g. World Bank); 5. Contribute to the preparation of a harmonized sub-section on LRA cross-border activities in the country Global Horizontal Notes (GHNs), consistent with the related sub-sections in the other country GHNs, to be transmitted to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC) by the respective country level Task Forces on MRM for onward submission to the Security Council Working Group (SCWG); 6. Provide input to the new annual Secretary-General’s report on Cross-border Child Protection Concerns, building information gathered by and shared amongst the four UN CP Focal Points with additional emphasis on cross-border analysis and recommendations.

Qualifications Reqired:

Education: Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences preferably in Anthropology, Social Development or International Laws or other related field.

Work Experience: - 8 years of professional (incl. management, coordination and technical guidance) work experience in programming for children affected by armed conflict - Thorough understanding of the issues and complexities of child protection in emergencies - Ability to analyse, synthesise information and communicate outcomes clearly to different stakeholders - Ability to cooperate and coordinate with other organizations working coordination and collation of information, analysis nd recommendations - Knowledge of the institutions of the UN system; ability to work in an international or multicultural environment. - Capacity to manage various tasks simultaneously in planning, implementing, and monitoring a complex project over an extended period. Working experience in developing countries

Competency Profile: i) Core Values (Required) • Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
ii) Core Competencies (Required) • Working with People
• Drive for Results
iii) Functional Competencies (Required) • Leading • Formulating Strategies and Concepts • Analyzing
• Relating and Networking • Deciding and Initiating Action • Applying Technical Expertise ] iv) Technical Knowledge
• Knowledge of programming for preventing and responding to children associated with armed forces and groups and of UNICEF Global and Regional priorities and strategies in related area.

Language:
Fluency in oral and written English is essential; knowledge of French language is an advantage.

Other skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to work independently, high-level report-writing skills

Please send your application to: cayado@unicef.org

Only short-listed candidates will be apprached.

Female professionals are encouraged to apply.