Child Protection Officer, NO-2, Fixed Term Position, Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi, #00137621 (Open to Malawian Nationals Only)

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The Child Protection Officer will support the delivery of high-impact programmes aimed at safeguarding children's rights and well-being in Malawi. This role is critical in providing technical assistance, supporting programme design and implementation, monitoring progress, and strengthening child protection systems to reach the most vulnerable children with essential services. The officer will collaborate with government counterparts, civil society, and development partners to foster systems strengthening, promote evidence-based approaches, and develop scalable solutions. The position contributes to strengthening legal frameworks, policies, and systems that protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and harmful practices, with a focus on equity and reaching vulnerable populations. Resource mobilization, evidence generation for advocacy, innovation, and capacity building are also key aspects of this role, aiming to enhance programme quality, reach, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance and support the effective design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of child protection programmes. Contribute to strengthening legal frameworks, policies, and systems that protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and harmful practices, with a strong emphasis on equity and reaching the most vulnerable. Engage internal and external partners, including government counterparts, development partners, and civil society, to facilitate and coordinate programming, and to mobilize and leverage resources. Support evidence generation that will contribute to advocacy and addressing harmful social norms, innovation for programme delivery, knowledge management, and capacity building. Proactively coordinate efforts and drive results to strengthen programme quality and reach, while maximizing effectiveness and efficiency. Work under the supervision of the Chief Child Protection. Ensure programmes are aligned with UNICEF's mandate and global child protection standards. Conduct field visits to monitor programme implementation and provide feedback. Prepare regular reports on programme activities and outcomes. Facilitate inter-agency coordination on child protection issues. Contribute to the development of new programme initiatives and proposals.

Work Experience

At least 2 years of relevant work experience in child protection, program management, monitoring and evaluation, partnership management, capacity building, advocacy, knowledge management, resource mobilization, humanitarian response, policy development, or any other related fields.

Skills

Child protection programmes, Justice access, Stakeholder engagement, Social development, Analytical thinking, Advocacy, Programme development, Legal reform, Inter-agency coordination, Capacity building, Knowledge management, Resource mobilization

Explore related opportunities