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For every child, the right to an Advocate

Within the framework of the new Country Programme Document (CPD) for Venezuela (2023-2026), it is aimed that by 2026, all children and adolescents in Venezuela, including the most vulnerable, can fully exercise all their rights and develop their full potential in a safe and inclusive society. In this regard, UNICEF also aims to improve the access of families and children to a greater number of better-quality services, provided by public institutions and social organizations, to promote positive and life-saving practices and attitudes, while applying an approach to strengthen spaces that enable the participation of children and adolescents. empowerment and accountability, including context- and people-specific feedback mechanisms

The principle of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) emphasizes that people, in particular children and the most disadvantaged and excluded families, are involved in the decisions that affect their lives, which implies, among other things, receiving information, in clear, simple, and understandable language. Participate actively and voluntarily in the activities carried out by humanitarian, development, and peace organizations, and have secure mechanisms to express their opinion, claims and suggestions about the work carried out by humanitarian, development and peace organizations, receiving a response in accordance with what has been expressed, taking their opinion into account.

Since 2021, AAP in Venezuela has implemented a series of feedback and consultation mechanisms, measurement indicators, trainings, strategies, as well as activities and actions that allow the adaptation and improvement of the implementation of the Country Office according to the voices of the people.

UNICEF’s Policy on Safeguarding (2024) defines Safeguarding as the actions taken to prevent and respond to harm caused to any individual as a result of their contact with UNICEF or the work of the organization, and requires that it be embedded in all programmatic, operational and administrative processes, including in the digital environment. The Policy is inclusive of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), in line with ST/SGB/2003/13 and the six IASC Core Principles and is explicitly aligned with the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) framework.

However, it is necessary within the framework of the new CPD 2023-2026 to continue promoting this principle, with emphasis on actions and projects that promote development and peace in Venezuela, taking people into account, in an inclusive way, leaving no one behind.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, the Emergency Officer (AAP and Safeguarding/PSEA) will be responsible for coordinating and/or supporting the design and implementation of strategies and action plans to scale up AAP interventions and processes under the 2023-2026 Country Programme, ensuring that the views and priorities of affected population are incorporated into all stages of the programme cycle and effectively inform the work plans implemented with State organizations, Civil Society and Communities. The incumbent will also act as the Country Office technical focal point for Safeguarding and PSEA, supporting the Head of Office and the Country Management Team in the implementation of the UNICEF Policy on Safeguarding.

Key functions/accountabilities include:

Ensure the principle of AAP in the Country Office's planning, monitoring and evaluation processes.
Ensure the mainstreaming of the principle of AAP in the programs, as well as in the community approach strategies implemented by the Country Office.
Strengthen the collective effort (interagency and interorganizational) for the promotion of the principle of AAP in the interventions of the UNS and its partners in Venezuela.
Lead the operationalization of the UNICEF Policy on Safeguarding, including PSEA, in the Country Office’s programmes, operations and partnerships

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Download File Job Description P&C- Emergency Officer_AAP Safeguarding_PSEA_NOB- Venezuela.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: A completed first level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in one of the following fields is required: in either of law, sociology, anthropology, communication studies/communication for development, psychology and/or related field.
Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas is required: accountability to affected populations, social development programme planning, social and behaviour change, public advocacy or another related area is required.
Skills: Knowledge required in accountability to affected populations and community engagement.
Monitoring and evaluation of social programmes are essential for the position.
Risk management, complaint handling is required.
Interagency coordination, child protection, data protection are required for the position.
Language Requirements: Proficiency in Spanish and intermediate level of English are required.

Desirables:

Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French or Russian) is an asset.
Demonstrated experience in safeguarding, PSEA, violence and/or the confidential management of sensitive complaints and survivor-centered referral is desirable.
Relevant experience in an UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
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.

This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either a role with direct contact with children, a role that works directly with identifiable children's data, a safeguarding response role, or an assessed risk role. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) apply.

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, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of serious misconduct. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable. Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these 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, 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 committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

Emergency Officer (AAP & Safeguarding), (NO-2), TA, #00138637, 364 days, Caracas —Venezuela, LACR