Child Protection Officer
Organizational Context
UNICEF has been active in Jordan since 1952, focusing on child rights, survival, protection, education, and development. Following the Syrian crisis, operations expanded to support both refugee and host community children. Since 2018, UNICEF Jordan has adopted a vulnerability approach, targeting the most vulnerable children regardless of nationality. The UN Volunteer will be integrated into the Child Protection Programme, collaborating with education, social development, and education ministries, alongside schools and partners.
Job Purpose
The UN Volunteer will be embedded within UNICEF Jordan's Child Protection Programme, working closely with the Education Programme, Ministry of Social Development (MOSD), Ministry of Education (MOE), school counsellors, teachers, principals, social service providers, and implementing partners supporting the Schools for Learning and Resilience (ST4LR) initiative. The assignment's core purpose is to strengthen systems and capacities in 300 target schools. This involves enhancing the identification of children at risk of dropping out, establishing and operationalizing school-level Early Warning Systems (EWS), reinforcing referral pathways to child protection and social services, promoting safe and supportive learning environments, and improving school-based counselling and psychosocial support services. The role directly contributes to achieving specific results within the ST4LR programme.
Responsibilities
The UN Volunteer will support school-level dropout prevention initiatives by collaborating with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Social Development (MOSD), school leadership, and NGO partners. This includes assisting in the development, rollout, and monitoring of early identification and alert systems to track absenteeism and academic underperformance. The volunteer will guide schools in analyzing data to identify at-risk children and facilitate capacity building for educators and counsellors to develop individualized action plans. Strengthening coordination between schools and child protection/social service providers for timely referrals and follow-up is crucial. The role involves mapping and enhancing referral pathways, facilitating training on child protection principles, and supporting initiatives for safe, supportive learning environments. Monitoring school-based counselling and psychosocial support, contributing to awareness-raising activities, and preparing technical reports, success stories, and lessons learned are also key duties. Field visits for monitoring and proposing corrective actions will be undertaken.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of professional experience is required in child protection, safeguarding, education, social work, psychosocial support, or case management. Experience supporting programs addressing violence against children, school safety, student retention, or vulnerable populations is essential. The role requires experience coordinating with government bodies, schools, NGOs, and community organizations, familiarity with referral mechanisms and child safeguarding standards, and experience in facilitating capacity-building activities. Strong analytical, report-writing, monitoring, and communication skills are necessary. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is expected.
Skills
Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, sound judgment, decision-making, planning, organization, professionalism, and self-management. Expertise areas include Education and Youth. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are vital for effective collaboration and coordination.