Child Protection Specialist
Organizational Context
UNICEF's mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, ensuring they have the opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential without discrimination. In Vietnam, children face protection concerns including violence, neglect, exploitation, and increasing mental health needs. The country's vulnerability to natural disasters exacerbates these risks, particularly for marginalized children. UNICEF Vietnam supports national efforts to strengthen child protection systems, focusing on prevention, response, and recovery, including parenting support and emergency preparedness.
Job Purpose
This role supports UNICEF Vietnam in strengthening the implementation, coordination, monitoring, and documentation of child protection interventions. The incumbent will provide technical and programmatic support to UNICEF and its partners, focusing on key areas such as parenting support, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) linkages, child marriage prevention, and child protection in emergencies. The aim is to enhance the capacity of national and sub-national authorities to effectively address child protection risks and ensure children's rights to protection, survival, development, and participation are realized, especially in the context of emergencies and for vulnerable populations.
Responsibilities
The UN Volunteer Child Protection Specialist will provide technical, coordination, and programme support to UNICEF Vietnam and implementing partners for child protection activities. Key responsibilities include supporting Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) preparedness, risk analysis, and response planning by reviewing information, updating materials, and preparing coordination documents. The role involves coordinating CPiE activities with government counterparts, UN agencies, and civil society, providing technical and administrative support for meetings and field missions, and monitoring progress. Additionally, the incumbent will support the planning, coordination, and documentation of the Integrated Parenting Programme, focusing on enhancing caregiver knowledge and skills. The position also requires supporting child protection-related MHPSS activities by analyzing needs, service availability, and referral pathways, and providing technical support for integration into programming.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of relevant professional or volunteer experience in child protection, social work, community development, programme management, or humanitarian response is required. Experience in child protection in emergencies, MHPSS, parenting support, or child marriage prevention is highly desirable. Proven ability to coordinate activities, monitor programmes, analyze information, and work effectively with diverse partners is essential. Fluency in Vietnamese and English is also required.
Skills
Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, creativity, judgment, planning, professionalism, and self-management. Essential skills encompass community development, communication, advocacy, public information, project management, programme development, and strategy. The role requires strong organizational and coordination abilities, attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.