Child Protection Officer (NO-2), FT, #00082717, San Jose - Costa Rica

Organizational Context

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. In Costa Rica, UNICEF has been active since 1950, collaborating with various stakeholders to overcome barriers affecting children and adolescents, especially those from vulnerable communities.

Job Purpose

As a Child Protection Officer, you will play a critical role in advancing UNICEF’s mission to protect children from violence, exploitation, and abuse, and to ensure their rights are upheld. Your work will directly contribute to creating a safer, more inclusive, and equitable environment for children and adolescents in Costa Rica. This involves supporting programme development, planning, management, monitoring, and delivery of results in child protection. You will provide technical and operational support for programme implementation, foster networking, advocacy, and partnership building, and contribute to innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building within the child protection sector.

Responsibilities

Support the development and planning of child protection programmes, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's global strategies and national priorities. Manage, monitor, and ensure the delivery of results for child protection programmes, tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement. Provide essential technical and operational support to facilitate the effective implementation of child protection initiatives. Build and maintain strong networks, engage in advocacy efforts, and foster partnerships with government bodies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to advance child protection. Drive innovation in child protection approaches, manage knowledge effectively, and build the capacity of partners and staff in relevant areas. Ensure that all activities are conducted in line with UNICEF's mandate to protect the rights of every child, particularly the most disadvantaged, and contribute to creating a safe and equitable environment for children and adolescents.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of professional experience in program planning, implementation, and management in child protection-related areas is required. Experience in a UN system agency or international child rights organization is desirable.

Skills

Child Protection Programme Management, Programme Planning and Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Technical Support, Operational Support, Networking, Advocacy, Partnership Building, Innovation, Knowledge Management, Capacity Building, Child Rights

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