Child Protection Specialist, P-3, Fixed Term Position, Kabul, Afghanistan, #00138035
Organizational Context
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
Job Purpose
The Child Protection Specialist (Children Affected by Armed Conflict and Children on the Move) reports to the Chief of Child Protection for guidance and general supervision. The Specialist supports the development and preparation of Child Protection programmes and is responsible for the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of programme interventions within the country programme. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout programme planning and implementation, reporting processes and contributes to the achievement of sustainable child protection results in line with UNICEF's Strategic Plans, the Country Programme, Results-Based Management principles and international human rights standards. The position directly supervises a team, contributing to the overall child protection strategy and its effective execution in Afghanistan.
Responsibilities
Afghanistan faces a severe child protection crisis due to poverty, harmful social norms, conflict legacy, and humanitarian emergencies. Children are at risk of violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, child labour, child marriage, and psychosocial distress. Weak protection systems, limited social workers, and uneven access to services exacerbate these vulnerabilities. The UNICEF Child Protection programme aims to strengthen prevention and response systems through a targeted, localized, and integrated approach. This includes reinforcing community-based child protection, strengthening the social service workforce, improving case management and psychosocial support, expanding birth registration, supporting family tracing and reunification, and enhancing overall child protection mechanisms.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of professional experience in child protection, social work, or a related field. Experience in humanitarian contexts or with UN agencies is an asset.
Skills
Child Protection, Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting, Technical Guidance, Community-Based Child Protection, Social Service Workforce Strengthening, Case Management, Psychosocial Support, Human Rights Standards, Results-Based Management, Emergency Response