Child Rights Associate
Organizational Context
UNICEF is dedicated to realizing the rights of every child globally, viewing nurturing children as fundamental to human progress. Established in 1946, it collaborates to overcome obstacles like poverty, violence, and discrimination. In Zambia, UNICEF supports the government and institutions in strengthening child protection, improving access to justice, promoting child participation, and enhancing accountability for children's rights. This involves close collaboration with the Human Rights Commission, government ministries, civil society, and children to bolster monitoring, advocacy, and reporting mechanisms.
Job Purpose
This role supports the operationalization and strengthening of the Child Rights Unit within Zambia's Human Rights Commission, under UNICEF's guidance. The Child Rights Associate will provide crucial technical, coordination, and operational support to enhance national child rights accountability mechanisms. Key contributions include supporting the Child Rights Commissioner, coordinating stakeholder engagements, monitoring the implementation of child rights legislation, and assisting in the preparation of critical reports. The position aims to bolster independent child rights monitoring, accountability, and oversight, aligning with national efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children.
Responsibilities
The Child Rights Associate will support the operationalization and strengthening of the Child Rights Unit within the Human Rights Commission of Zambia. This involves programme coordination, institutional strengthening, child rights monitoring and reporting, research, evidence generation, advocacy, child participation, capacity development, and fostering partnerships. Key tasks include supporting the Child Rights Commissioner in implementing work plans, coordinating meetings and field missions, preparing reports and briefing notes, and tracking progress on child rights commitments. The role involves monitoring the implementation of the Children’s Code Act and international child rights recommendations, supporting the preparation of the State of Children’s Rights Report, and enhancing child-friendly complaint and referral mechanisms. Additionally, the associate will participate in research on emerging child rights issues, support knowledge management, develop communication materials for advocacy, facilitate meaningful child participation, and support capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners.
Work Experience
Requires at least one month of relevant professional experience in child protection, child rights, governance, legal reform, or human rights. Experience working with government institutions, human rights bodies, or development partners is desirable. Strong analytical, policy analysis, report writing, documentation, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential.
Skills
Core values include care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability. Essential competencies involve self-awareness, ethical conduct, collaboration, partnership building, strategic thinking, driving results, and managing complexity. Specific skills include community development, communication, advocacy, public information, and human rights expertise. A commitment to volunteerism and UN values is also required.