Child Protection Specialist, NO-3, Fixed Term Position, #00138301 Nairobi, Kenya,

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 not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The Child Protection Specialist, reporting to the Chief, Child Protection, provides strategic leadership, technical oversight, and coordination for all protection, safeguarding, and wrap-around components of the RISE program, with a strong emphasis on online safety. This role ensures coherence, compliance, and quality assurance, embedding adolescent and youth protection principles across all workstreams. The Specialist collaborates with Innovation and Education sections for an integrated approach and advances the broader agenda of ending violence against children, including online safety. The position is crucial for developing and implementing effective child protection strategies that align with UNICEF's global goals and national priorities, ensuring that vulnerable children and adolescents receive the support and protection they need.

Responsibilities

Support programme/project development and planning by contributing to situation analyses for violence against children to inform policy advocacy and programme design, staying abreast of trends and evidence. Develop proposals aligned with UNICEF Strategic Plans, Country Programmes, UNSDCF, regional strategies, and national priorities on ending violence against children. Manage programme implementation by establishing monitoring benchmarks and indicators for multisectoral interventions, participating in monitoring and evaluation exercises, and assessing progress to identify gaps and lessons learned. Conduct field visits and surveys to monitor programmes, identify bottlenecks, and resolve issues. Oversee the optimal and appropriate use of programme resources, ensuring compliance with organizational rules, donor commitments, and accountability standards. Manage the child protection components of the RISE programme, focusing on safeguarding and online safety. Provide technical guidance and operational support to government, NGO, UN, and other partners for implementing violence against children interventions, emphasizing multisectoral approaches and survivor-centered programming. Participate in child protection programme meetings, including emergency preparedness planning. Draft policy papers and strategic programme materials. Build and sustain effective partnerships with government, civil society, and other stakeholders to advance child protection initiatives.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of professional experience in child protection, social development, or a related field. Experience in programme management, policy advocacy, and working with government and civil society partners is desirable. Experience in online safety and safeguarding is an asset.

Skills

Child Protection, Programme Management, Safeguarding, Online Safety, Policy Advocacy, Partnership Building, Monitoring and Evaluation, Report Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Cross-cultural Skills, Problem-Solving

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