Child Protection Officer (NO-2), FT, #00129136, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil, LACR

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child, viewing it as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, fostering a sense of purpose while serving children and communities globally.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Chief of Child Protection, the Child Protection Officer (NOB) is responsible for supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of integrated child protection programmes. These programmes focus on preventing and responding to violence against children. The role is crucial in strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration across child protection, education, health, social welfare, justice, and public security systems. This collaboration contributes to sustainable and child-sensitive responses aligned with UNICEF’s Country Programme (2024-2028). Based in Rio de Janeiro, the position also extends support to child protection initiatives in São Paulo, aiming to position UNICEF as a trusted technical partner for violence prevention and child protection in complex urban settings within Southeast Brazil.

Responsibilities

The Child Protection Officer will support programme development and planning, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's strategic objectives and national priorities. They will manage programmes, monitor progress, and deliver results, ensuring effective implementation and impact. The role involves providing technical and operational support to programme implementation, working closely with government counterparts and partners. Networking and partnership building are key, fostering collaboration with stakeholders to enhance child protection efforts. The officer will also drive innovation, knowledge management, and capacity building within the child protection sector. This includes generating evidence, developing knowledge products, and supporting the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of child protection programmes. A significant aspect involves strengthening child protection systems, including integrated service delivery, child-sensitive justice approaches, and intersectoral coordination mechanisms, as well as supporting case management systems and referral pathways for children affected by violence.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of professional experience in social development planning and management, with a specific focus on child protection, is required. This includes direct programme implementation and engagement with government institutions. Experience in designing, planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on child protection programmes at various levels is also essential.

Skills

Knowledge of Brazilian child protection policies, legislation, and frameworks, Experience in child violence advocacy and policy engagement, Proven skills in fostering multisectoral collaboration and partnerships, Experience in child case management and referral systems, Demonstrated capacity to generate and use evidence on violence against children, Experience in programme design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts and public institutions, Understanding of child protection systems strengthening, Experience in developing knowledge products and research, Proficiency in relevant software and data analysis tools

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