Oficial de Soporte de Protección a la Infancia

Organizational Context

UNICEF, established in 1946 and a permanent UN agency since 1953, is dedicated to upholding the rights of all children, especially the most vulnerable. In Mexico since 1954, UNICEF collaborates with government, civil society, and the private sector to ensure children's rights are guaranteed, focusing on reaching disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. A recent agreement with the Jalisco state government aims to strengthen child protection programs, services, and policies, requiring close institutional relationships for effective implementation.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNICEF's technical assistance to the Jalisco state government in Mexico, focusing on strengthening child protection systems and services. Following a collaboration agreement, the volunteer will contribute to developing and implementing plans for violence prevention, positive parenting, and specialized care for children and adolescents. The assignment aims to enhance the protection of children's rights by supporting legislative initiatives, specialized courtrooms, and safeguarding policies. The volunteer will work closely with various government entities and civil society organizations to ensure a strategic and coordinated approach to child protection, addressing issues like violence, abuse, and exploitation.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Chief of Child Protection and secondary supervision by the Field Support Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following key tasks: - Support the implementation of national case management and alternative care models, and strengthen regional child protection authorities. - Provide technical assistance for developing violence prevention plans, focusing on positive parenting programs and school-based prevention initiatives. - Assist in formulating plans to prevent and address the impacts of armed violence on children, particularly concerning recruitment by organized crime. - Offer technical support for legislative initiatives related to positive parenting, corporal punishment, sexual offenses, and other child protection matters. - Accompany the implementation of specialized courtrooms for children and adolescents within the judicial system. - Provide technical assistance for developing child safeguarding policies. - Support capacity-building for first responders dealing with violence against children, including police, health personnel, and emergency operators.

Work Experience

Requires at least 7 years of experience in human rights and/or child and adolescent protection. Direct experience in special child protection and violence prevention is advantageous. Experience supporting advocacy for children's rights and in project management for development or institutional capacity building, preferably in human rights or child-focused contexts, is desirable.

Skills

UNICEF Core Values: Care, Responsibility, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability. Essential Competencies: Establishing and maintaining partnerships, self-awareness and ethical conscience, tangible results, innovation and embracing change, ambiguity and complexity, strategic thinking, collaboration. Expertise areas include Humanitarian Affairs, Protection, and Human Rights. Proficiency in Spanish is required; working knowledge of English is desirable.

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