Child Protection Specialist

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office supports sustainable development across 14 countries, focusing on fragile and conflict-affected settings. It oversees over 250 projects, advancing national priorities through strategic initiatives in areas like Health, Infrastructure, and Peace and Security. The office provides leadership and operational support, aiming to enhance project delivery and improve quality of life across the continent.

Job Purpose

The Child Protection Specialist will provide crucial technical support and grant management for the Ending Child Marriage (ECM) portfolio in Malawi. This role ensures the program adheres to UNICEF and global standards, meeting all donor requirements and implementing results-based management principles. Working under the Chief Child Protection, the specialist will coordinate efforts across government sectors, civil society, UN agencies, and community stakeholders to strengthen operational coherence and referral pathways. The position is vital for ensuring the program's effective design and delivery, contributing to the reduction of child marriage and its associated negative impacts.

Responsibilities

The Child Protection Specialist is responsible for the overall technical and grant management of the Malawi ECM portfolio. This includes facilitating cross-sectoral coordination with government bodies, civil society organizations, and other partners to ensure program coherence and effective referral pathways. The role involves providing quality assurance, focusing on safeguarding and survivor-centered standards. Grant management leadership is key, requiring close collaboration with support teams to monitor implementation progress and provide timely feedback. The specialist will analyze program implementation in targeted districts, inform programming based on evidence, and support reporting requirements. Coordination with other participating countries and engagement with relevant centers of expertise are also critical. Risk management, documentation for scale-up initiatives, and capacity building support are integral to the role.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant child protection experience is required with a Bachelor's degree, or five years with a Master's degree. This includes at least three years of proven experience in coordinating large-scale grants and experience implementing ending child marriage programs at national and district levels. Strong analytical, report writing, communication, and teamwork skills are essential.

Skills

Child Advocacy, Child Protective Services, Child Welfare, Government Relations, Grant Administration, Grant Monitoring, Partnerships, Planning

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