UNV Especialista de apoyo a Defensoría Protección de Niñez en Conflicto Armado

Organizational Context

UNICEF Colombia promotes the rights of children and adolescents, addressing complex rights violations. The 2025-2028 Country Programme focuses on early childhood development, mental health, child marriage, youth participation, and climate change adaptation, implemented through strategies in health, education, child protection, WASH, CEED, and social protection. The organization also supports operations, security, communications, and fundraising. This role supports UNICEF's child protection team.

Job Purpose

The UNV Specialist will provide direct technical assistance to the Ombudsman's Office Delegate for Children, Youth, and the Elderly. The primary goal is to strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict contexts. This includes monitoring grave violations against children, preventing and restoring rights for children recruited or used by conflict parties. The role contributes to UNICEF's child protection strategies within the broader 2025-2028 Country Programme, focusing on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Responsibilities

Support the Ombudsman's Office in monitoring, reporting, and managing information on grave violations against children. Coordinate with the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism under Security Council Resolution 1612. Assist in analyzing and drafting inputs for periodic reports on grave violations and rights restoration for children affected by armed conflict. Strengthen the capacities of territorial teams and counterparts in child protection within conflict settings. Conduct field missions to conflict-affected areas. Support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the protection team's annual plan, with a focus on child protection in armed conflict. Prepare narrative and financial reports for donors. Participate in UNICEF internal meetings and processes. The UNV Specialist will be based primarily at the Ombudsman's Office in Bogotá, with potential duties at UNICEF offices.

Work Experience

Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in child protection within armed conflict, peacebuilding, human rights, or humanitarian work. Experience in information management, database handling, and analytical writing is required. Strong knowledge of the Colombian armed conflict context and dynamics is essential. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills are needed, along with cultural sensitivity and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Accountability, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, judgment, decision-making, planning, organization, professionalism, self-management. Expertise in Social Work, Security, and Protection. Strong IT skills, including Excel, Power BI, and information management systems. Ability to work independently and in teams under tight deadlines. High awareness of security issues and the do-no-harm approach.

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