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.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall guidance of the Program specialist, at UNICEF Office to the African Union and ECA, the child protection consultant will support the development and implementation of strategic partnerships and programmes and coordination of Child protection programs with special focus on the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Program 2.0 activities (SIARP 2.0). The consultant S/he will support program development, planning, monitoring and advocacy support throughout the programming processes. S/he facilitates the achievement of concrete solutions and contributions to continental and international efforts to create protective environment for children against all harms, and to protect their rights to survival, development and wellbeing as established under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, international treaties/ frameworks, and the Africa Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, among other continental frameworks for child rights. In addition, the incumbent will ensure children and young people are at the core of all programmes and interventions.

Scope of Work:

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks
Support programme development and planning
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Technical and operational support to programme implementation
Networking and partnership building
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToRTMC0003094.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is required: development, peace and conflict, economics, psychology, sociology, or another relevant technical field.
Work Experience: A minimum of 8 (eight) years of professional experience in child protection, child rights, human rights, gender studies, development, sociology and related social sciences studies as well as programme planning, management, and/or research in social sciences is required.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset
Work experience and/or familiarity with a continental organization is considered an additional advantage

Technical competencies must be demonstrated in the following areas:

Strong knowledge/ experience and understanding of theory and concepts on children’s rights, protection, violence against children, gender issues, violence against women and girls, confluence between harmful practices and child protection
Understanding of the overall child rights protection and context of EVAC/VAWG, prevention and elimination of harmful practices, SRHR and their impact children and young people; and inter-sectoral approaches to address such issues in collaboration with other sectors (including Social Policy, Education, Nutrition, WASH, Health, and Communications within UNICEF).
Ability to support policy dialogue: strong analytical skill including translation of analytical findings and evidence into development programme and policy discussions around equity and learning with partners, including government, development partners, CSOs and academia in relevant areas.
Experience in including programme design, planning, costing, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of programmes/interventions on child rights protection, EVAC/ VAWG, harmful practices and related issues. programmes practices policy sector analysis capacity, including,
Experience of working with the African Union organs as well as strong knowledge and understanding of AU mechanisms
Ability to support partnership, networking and engagement with new and existing partners, especially the AU and its entities, CSOs, young people and UN organisations.

Skills:

Knowledge of child rights.
Familiarity with gender equality and disability inclusion principles.
Ability to conduct literature reviews, present findings and prepare concept papers.
Excellent computer skills: experience with making PowerPoint presentations, creating content for social media channels, efficient email writing skills and overall ability to communicate with partners in a digital environment (Teams, Zoom, Jamboard).
Ability to write write clearly and concisely technical and non-technical information material with a clear understanding of child rights protection, VAC/VAWG, under the framework of Gender Based violence and harmful practices
Ability to work collaboratively on a multi-disciplinary team.
Demonstrated skills in diplomacy, collaboration, and interpersonal communication.
Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
Ability to work with sensitive data and information in an ethical, confidential, and trustworthy manner

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Desirables:

Analytical and Critical Thinking: Ability to analyze data and contextual factors to identify root causes of harmful practices and evaluate intervention outcomes.
Strategic Communication: Strong skills in communicating complex topics in a culturally sensitive and accessible way to different audiences, from policymakers to community members.
Project Management: Proficient in managing timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to ensure project goals are met within set deadlines.
Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, community leaders, and international organizations.
Adaptability and Cultural Sensitivity: Skilled at working in diverse and sometimes challenging environments, with the ability to adapt to cultural nuances and promote inclusivity.
Report Writing and Documentation: Competent in preparing detailed reports, policy briefs, and technical documentation to support advocacy and project transparency.

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 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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal TMC0003094.docx
Technical proposal
• A motivation letter detailing the strengths of the consultant to carry out the assignment in a satisfactory manner supported by CV, professional experience, and professional references.
• An introduction to understanding of the ToR and the tasks
• Suggested methodology for the work
• Timetable for carrying out the various tasks.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Child protection Consultant, UNICEF Office to the AU & ECA, 12 months, Addis Ababa, (Office based, Open for Ethiopian nationals) # 593732