CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Nigeria
Closing date: 02 Sep 2014

Vacancy number: VN-NGR-38 -2014

Post Title: Child Protection Specialist (Violence against Children and Child Protection Systems Strengthening)

Level: International Professional (L-3)

Contract Type: Temporary Appointment (TA)

Duration: 364 Days

Location: Abuja

In response to the recommendation of the Global Survey on Violence against Children, commissioned by the Secretary General of the UN in 2006, UNICEF, along with the Centre for Disease Control Atlanta, is supporting the Government to carry out a comprehensive survey to understand the context, magnitude and prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria. Nigeria is one of the largest countries where the study is being undertaken and also the first West African Country.

Fundamental to preventing and responding to violence against children is a robust and adequately staffed and resourced child protection system. The current child protection system in Nigeria is typically characterized by fragmented services, limited coordination and unclear roles and responsibilities especially among government ministries. Child protection is significantly under resourced.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has recently embarked on a process to strengthen the social welfare and child protection systems – a programme of reform which UNICEF is supporting.

The purpose of this position is to:

• Coordinate all current efforts within child protection and amongst traditional and non-traditional child protection actors, to ensure that these efforts collectively contribute to the strengthening of the child protection system at National and State level in order to effectively prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect of children;
• Support the Federal and State Government to launch the Violence Against Children Study and response plans; and
• Coordinate and provide technical support for the implementation of the VAC response plan and the recommendations of the child protection systems mapping and assessment.

Qualifications and Competencies required:

· Advanced degree in social sciences, law or related discipline

· At least 5 years professional experience in child protection

· Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize and translate research into practice

· Demonstrable experience of working and advocating with government partners for the development and implementation of plans/strategies

· Strong written skills

· Fluency in English

· Previous experience with UNICEF, or the UN system in this field would be an asset.

· Experience in child protection systems strengthening desirable

· Extensive knowledge about, and experience in, policy development on violence against children desirable

How to apply:

Candidates interested in the above position should submit his/her application, accompanied by updated CV in English and a completed United Nations Personal History Form, (which can be downloaded from our website at www.unicef.org/employ) to the email address below on or before Tuesday, 2 September 2014.

Email: nrecruit@unicef.org

Please put the position title you are applying for on the subject line of your email. UNICEF, a smoke-free environment, is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly women are strongly encouraged to apply