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

How can you make a difference?

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 implementation of the community-based child protection component, contributing to improved access to quality child protection services for vulnerable children and families at community level.

Working closely with the Department of Social Services (DSS), UNICEF colleagues and implementing partners, the incumbent will support the strengthening of community-based child protection mechanisms by enhancing the capacity of frontline social service workers, Child Protection Service Hubs, and community structures to identify, refer, and respond to child protection concerns. The position will support case management, community outreach, service coordination, and linkages between statutory child protection services and community-based protection mechanisms to ensure timely and effective support for children.

The position will contribute to strengthening community-based child protection service delivery and supporting the implementation of approved ISO workplans in accordance with UNICEF policies and applicable Environmental and Social Standards (ESS).

Major duties and responsibilities:

Community-Based Child Protection Programme Implementation
Child Protection Service Delivery and Referral Systems
Community Coordination and Technical Support
Quality Assurance, and Monitoring
Partnership Management
Safeguarding and Risk Management

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Child Protection Officer, NO-2.docx

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Social Work, Child Protection, Social Sciences, Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy, or another relevant field is required.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in one or more of the following areas: Community-based child protection programming and service delivery; Prevention and response to violence against children or related child protection programmes; Child protection case management, referral mechanisms and community-based protection services; Programme planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting; Coordination with government counterparts, implementing partners and community stakeholders; Community engagement, capacity strengthening and technical support for community-based child protection interventions.
Skills: Community-based child protection systems strengthening and service delivery; Child protection case management and referral mechanisms; Technical support and capacity strengthening of frontline social service workers and community-based child protection actors; Results-based management; programme monitoring, reporting, and use of programme data.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Bangla is required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.
Familiarity with UNICEF programme management procedures and implementation.
Child protection systems strengthening and UNICEF's Child Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS) approach; Experience working with Government counterparts, particularly the Department of Social Services (DSS), or local government institutions, is highly desirable.
Experience supporting Child Protection Service Hubs, Child Protection Community Hubs (CPCHs), Community-Based Child Protection Committees (CBCPCs), community-based child protection programmes, or referral services is an asset.
Experience working with UNICEF, other UN agencies, development partners, NGOs or civil society organizations is desirable.
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

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, 364 days, Dhaka, Bangladesh #00138269