UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Protection

Job Context:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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.

Purpose of Assignment:

The Child Protection Officer (NO-B) TA will support the effective planning, implementation, coordination and quality assurance of child protection interventions with a particular focus on the prevention of violence against children (VAC), harmful practices including child marriage, child labour, gender-based violence, abuse and neglect of children.

Working closely with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), the Department of Women Affairs (DWA), other government counterparts, UNICEF colleagues and implementing partners, the incumbent will support the establishment and strengthening of Child Protection Community Hubs (CPCHs) and other community-based child protection mechanisms to promote prevention, early identification and timely response to child protection concerns.

The position will also support the functioning of relevant government coordination mechanisms, including Child Marriage Prevention Committees and Child Labour Elimination Committees, in accordance with national laws and policies and promote community engagement, child and adolescent participation, positive parenting, and social and behaviour change approaches, while strengthening referral pathways and linkages between community structures and statutory child protection services.

The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of UNICEF Child Protection Programme by supporting coordinated implementation, partnership management, programme monitoring and evidence generation, ensuring compliance with UNICEF policies and procedures and applicable Environmental and Social Standards (ESS).

Major responsibilities:

Programme Planning and Implementation
Systems Strengthening and Government Coordination
Partnership, Coordination and Technical Support
Monitoring, Evidence and Reporting
Quality Assurance, Safeguarding and Risk Management

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File JD - Child Protection Officer_NO2_00138247.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Social Work, Child Protection, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Sociology, Development Studies, International Development, Public Policy and any other related fields.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant professional experience (for an NO-B position, consistent with UNICEF standards) in one or more of the following areas:
- Child protection programming and systems strengthening.
- Community-based child protection and violence prevention.
- Prevention of violence against children (VAC), harmful practices, child marriage, child labour, gender-based violence, or related child protection programmes.
- Programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
- Capacity development and technical support to government and partners.
- Coordination of multi-sectoral child protection programmes.
Skills:
- Community-based child protection programming, prevention and response approaches.
- Violence against children (VAC), harmful practices (including child marriage), child labour, gender-based violence, safeguarding and child participation.
- Community engagement and social and behaviour change approaches.
- Results-based management, programme monitoring, reporting and use of programme data.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Bangla is required.

Desirables:

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Experience working with Government counterparts, particularly the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), the Department of Women Affairs (DWA), or other relevant public institutions, is highly desirable.
Experience supporting Child Protection Community Hubs (CPCHs), community-based child protection mechanisms, community engagement, prevention programming or referral systems is highly desirable.
Experience working with UNICEF, UN agencies, development partners, NGOs or civil society organizations in child protection programmes is an asset.
Familiarity with UNICEF programme management procedures and implementation.
Child protection systems strengthening and UNICEF's Child Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS) approach.
Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is an equal-opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from female candidates, gender-diverse individuals and people with disabilities.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Child Protection Officer, NO-2, Temporary Position, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 364 days, #00138247