Recruitment Notice: Child Protection Officer – UNICEF

18 September 2024

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The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is recruiting a Child Protection Officer (NO-B), Buea, Cameroon.

Child Protection Officer (NO-B), Buea, Cameroon – 364-Day Temporary Appointment (#130350)

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories to protect children’s lives, uphold their rights, and support their development from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, our mission goes beyond a career—it’s a calling. We are dedicated, passionate, and proud to advocate for every child’s rights. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth, fostering a workplace where staff can thrive. Our organization also provides a competitive compensation and benefits package, reflecting our commitment to our team’s well-being.

For Every Child, Protection

Since 1975, UNICEF has been a crucial partner in Cameroon, working to ensure that women and children can fully exercise their rights to development as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Our work spans seven key areas: Health, HIV/AIDS, Water-Sanitation-Hygiene, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, and Social Inclusion. We focus on the most vulnerable children and families, particularly those in rural areas where access to basic social services is limited, and the impacts of climate change exacerbate poverty and child deprivation.

Cameroon’s population, estimated at over 26.5 million in 2020 according to UN data, is predominantly young, driving significant socioeconomic demand. However, challenges such as poverty, limited access to essential services, and environmental issues require a collective effort from all stakeholders—government, donors, civil society, the private sector, and communities alike. By joining forces, we can address these challenges and work towards a future where every child in Cameroon has the opportunity to thrive.

Learn more about UNICEF Cameroon: https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/CMR/SitePages/AboutUs.aspx

How Can You Make a Difference?

UNICEF Cameroon is seeking a dedicated Child Protection Officer. Under the guidance of the Child Protection Specialist, this role involves providing technical, operational, and administrative support for child protection initiatives throughout the Country Programme. From planning to delivering results, the Child Protection Officer will be crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.

Key Responsibilities

The candidate will contribute to the following key areas:

Case Management: Provide support for comprehensive case management, focusing on unaccompanied or separated children. This includes alternative care and family tracing and reunification.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: Implement mental health and life-skills programs to support children’s well-being.
Birth Registration: Identify children who need birth certificates and enhance access to registration services.
Capacity Building: Strengthen the child protection social workforce, both from government actors and Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms (CBCPMs).

Main Functions and Accountabilities

Programme Development and Planning: Assist in developing effective child protection programs.
Programme Management and Monitoring: Ensure programs are managed efficiently and that results are delivered.
Technical and Operational Support: Provide ongoing support for program implementation.
Networking and Partnership Building: Establish and maintain partnerships to support child protection efforts.

For more information on this role, please review the full job description here: Child Protection Officer NO-2 Buea Office ToR.pdf.

Qualifications for Advocacy for Every Child

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

Education: A university degree in fields such as international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or a related social science.
Experience: At least two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection-related areas.
Developing Country Experience: Experience in a developing country is an asset.
UN System Experience: Prior experience in program development within a UN agency or organization is advantageous.
Humanitarian Contexts: Experience in both development and humanitarian contexts is an added advantage.

Desirable Qualities for Every Child

At UNICEF, our mission is guided by core values: Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). These principles shape everything we do. To learn more, please refer to our Values Charter: UNICEF Values.

Key Competencies for This Role

The required competencies for this role include:

Building and maintaining partnerships
Demonstrating self-awareness and ethical behavior
Driving results for impact
Embracing innovation and change
Managing ambiguity and complexity
Strategic thinking and action

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our Competency Framework to understand the different levels of each competency.

Child Safeguarding and Elevated Risk

This role has been identified as an elevated risk position in terms of Child Safeguarding. This means it involves direct contact with children, handles sensitive children’s data, or plays a critical role in safeguarding responses. As such, additional vetting, including thorough background checks, is required to ensure the highest level of child protection.

UNICEF’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

UNICEF is dedicated to serving the world’s most disadvantaged children, and we believe that our global workforce should reflect the diversity of the children we support. Our commitment is to include everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

Inclusive and Supportive Work Environment

To foster a more diverse workforce, UNICEF offers various supportive measures, including:

Paid parental leave
Time off for breastfeeding
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities
Promotion of flexible working arrangements to help balance personal and professional commitments

Strict Child Protection and Conduct Policies

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that violates our values and the goals of the United Nations. This includes:

Sexual exploitation and abuse
Sexual harassment
Abuse of authority
Discrimination

We also do not hire candidates who are married to children (individuals under 18). Our commitment to child protection means that every selected candidate must pass rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Additional information may be required to ensure compliance with our high standards for safeguarding.

Health and Legal Requirements for Employment

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance and the issuance of a visa by the host country for international positions, which UNICEF will facilitate. In some cases, vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), must be met. Selected candidates must either comply with these requirements or obtain a medical exemption from the relevant UN department. Failure to meet these health and legal requirements will result in the cancellation of the selection process.

By upholding these standards, UNICEF ensures a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment for all, while striving to make a positive impact on the lives of children worldwide.

Important Information

According to Article 101, paragraph 3, of the United Nations Charter, the primary focus in staff employment is to ensure the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is vital to achieving the best outcomes for children. For this role, female candidates who are eligible and qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment Guidelines

Government Employees: Those currently employed by the government must resign from their government roles before taking up a position with UNICEF.
Offer Withdrawal: UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an employment offer if the candidate fails to obtain a visa, medical clearance, or meet required inoculation requirements within a reasonable timeframe.
No Fees: UNICEF does not charge any processing fees at any stage of recruitment, including application, interview, validation, or training. Applicants will never be asked for bank account information.

Recruitment Process

All job openings are publicly advertised by UNICEF.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to proceed to the next stage.
An internal candidate already performing at the required level or a candidate from the corresponding Talent Group may be selected for the post without assessing other candidates if they are deemed suitable.

For more information about working with UNICEF, click here. If you are interested in joining our team.

Click here to apply