CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER

Organizational Context

The Department of Peace Operations (DPO), specifically the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division (DPET), seeks a Child Protection Officer. This role sits within the Child Protection Team, reporting to the Team Leader. DPET is responsible for developing and disseminating peacekeeping policy and doctrine, evaluating policy application, and fostering strategic cooperation with UN and external partners.

Job Purpose

The Child Protection Officer will support the DPO's child protection mandate and the UN Security Council's agenda on children and armed conflict. This involves gathering and analyzing information on child protection issues, monitoring political developments impacting peacekeeping mandates, and providing advice to field missions. The role also entails providing technical and substantive support for DPO policies, guidelines, and training materials, including organizing workshops. Furthermore, the officer will liaise with UN entities, international organizations, and Member States on coordination, policy, and training matters, and prepare various written outputs documenting best practices and lessons learned.

Responsibilities

The Child Protection Officer will gather, select, and analyze child protection information from various sources. They will maintain up-to-date knowledge of political events affecting the DPO's child protection mandate and the UN Security Council's agenda on children and armed conflict. The role involves monitoring political developments, advising field missions on child protection mandate implementation, and providing technical and substantive support. The officer will assist in developing, reviewing, and rolling out DPO policies, guidelines, and training materials, including organizing workshops. They will also maintain contacts and liaise with UN sectors, international organizations, and governments on child protection coordination and policy, monitor actions by intergovernmental groups and NGOs, participate in fact-finding missions, and prepare various written outputs.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, security, or conflict resolution is required. This includes at least three years focused on child protection in armed conflict and the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM), and at least two years of field experience with UN peacekeeping operations or international organizations. Experience in liaising with Member States and/or policy/training development is also required.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Knowledge of child protection mandates and the MRM, Analytical skills, Ability to monitor political developments, Policy and training development, Interpersonal and liaison skills.

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