Child Protection Officer
Qualifications of Child Protection Officer:
- Location: Afghanistan
- Vacancy No: N/A
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNV United Nations Volunteers
- Deadline: 10/27/2025
Brief details about Child Protection Officer:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
Mission and objectives:
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Context:
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. Afghan girls face early marriage, honour killings, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. Afghan boys suffer many of the same risks, along with military recruitment into armed conflict, and sexual exploitation. As a result of the effect of the conflict and its associated challenges such a poverty, displacement, child ignoration continues to be an issue and has now been exacerbated since the takeover of the Taliban in August 2021. Both girls and boys are exposed to hazardous labour practices, risks of explosive ordnance death or injuries, and violence at home, in schools and communities. Existing protection services are inadequate, especially in remote and in warring communities: there is widespread failure to promote and protect the rights of children.
Task description:
1. Summary of key functions/accountabilities: • Assist UNICEF in working with provincial Child Protection actors toward strengthening Child Protection mechanisms and systems, including supporting the Child Protection Action Network at provincial and district level and the establishment of Child Protection Community Based Structure; Child Protection Case management, enhancement of Social workforce, as well as support to the provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support to children affected by conflict, natural disaster, and displacement. • Contribute to effective management and quality assurance of the child protection programs across the region covered by the Ghor post office through close monitoring of UNICEF-supported projects and activities. Including collection, preparation, and review of required supporting documents that are essential for financial transactions, and support in monitoring the utilization of funds of child protection supplies by the end users. • Assist in monitoring the quality of child protection in emergency-related activities, and ensure activities are monitored and reported to the Child Protection Specialist in a timely manner. • Assist in planning, monitoring, and implementing the children on the move project activities in provinces covered by the UNICEF field office in the nine provinces of the North and Northeast Regions, • Contribute to monitoring, reporting, and verification of cases of children affected by the impact of armed conflict across all provinces covered, including monitoring, reporting, and verification of grave violations against children in these provinces (MRM), • Support child protection service delivery for the prevention and response to violence, exploitation abuse, neglect, and unnecessary family separation). • Ensure children in conflict with law have access to multi-sectoral services particularly child protection including case management, PSS and safe reunification with family upon release from detention. • Carry out any other tasks given by UNICEF Child Protection Specialist and CP Officer. 2. Contribute to effective management and quality assurance of the Child Protection Programme across the region covered by the UNICEF office: • Contribute to effective utilization of the Child Protection fund by informing fund distribution and utilization plans based on the humanitarian need in the WR. • Collect and provide the required documentation for the release and liquidation of funds in line with UNICEF financial and operational procedures. • Conduct HACT program monitoring visits and ensure trip reports are shared for approval and uploaded in E-tools • Inform supply distribution plans and ensure supplies released to partners reached end users. • Collect and provide inputs to donor reports, sitreps, and monthly reports as per office guidelines and internal deadlines. 3) Contribute to the development and management of Child Protection programs covered by UNICEF Ghor Outpost (planning, monitoring, implementation, and evaluation) • Collect required data and provide inputs for program preparation and documentation ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevancy of information. • Provide inputs to the development of sectoral program goals objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through data collection and record keep keepings. • Support information on CP data and implementation issues, suggest solutions to routine programing, and submit reports to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level intervention and/or decisions. • Keep a record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture lessons learned to inform future programming. • Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of child protection through the preparation of annual sectoral reviews meetings with de facto authority and key CP partners (i.e., this include organizing required meetings and workshop; taking minutes and producing reports; and following up on action points) 4) Contribute to tracking progress and reporting of program achievements covered by Ghor • contributories to evidence-based generation, and support mission for the undertaking of baseline surveys and research across the above-mentioned province. • Work closely with the Child Protection and Information Officers to support the verification of data reported by partners (i.e. Child Protection Progress Trackers for monitoring HAC indicators and HAC progress reports) • Support piloting and implementation of Child Protection CPIMS + in support of successful child protection case management. • Work closely with CPAN and ensure that community level structures, including community leaders, NGOs and DfA are well coordinated and provide necessary support mechanisms in case management, redress for affected, vulnerable children and their families and protect from violence, abuse, exploitation and trafficking in all circumstances, including humanitarian situations. 5) Contribute to establishing and maintaining strong networks and partnerships and support the Child Protection subcluster coordination in provinces covered by the Faizabad outpost • Assist the child protection team in establishing and strengthening collaborative partnerships with CBOs, INGOs, and UN agencies ; • Support establishment of working relationship with DOLSA and other pertinent line departments; • Support information sharing among key child protection actors including dissemination of standards and funding opportunities among stakeholders in Ghor province; • Assist in the assessment of partner capacity to implement child protection activities and support the end of project evaluation. • Ssupport strengthening a well-established child protection response; contribute to the mapping of key actors, mapping of child protection activities 6) Support program innovation and integration between child protection and other sectors • Assist in identifying and capturing opportunities, best practices, and lesson learned for program innovation; • Support the mainstreaming of CP in other sector and assist in planning and implementation of the capacity development program for frontline officers in health, education, and WASH. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Dari, Level: Fluent, Required Pashto, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in • At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in child protection, prevention, and response to gender-based violence is required. Previous experience in case management, PSSS, and education is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
Competencies and values
Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) * Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) Works Collaboratively with others (1) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) Innovates and Embraces Change (1) Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) Drive to achieve impactful results (1) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Skills and experience
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in Child Protection, social work, human rights, gender, education, or other relevant programmes is required. • working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset; Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4×4 over rough terrain; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in Human rights or child protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.
Area(s) of expertise
Development programmes, Crisis and emergency response, Social work
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Ghor is a remote and mountainous province in western Afghanistan. It shares borders with Badghis, Herat, Farah, Daykundi, and Bamyan provinces. The provincial capital, Firuzkoh (Chaghcharan), serves as the administrative and economic hub. Ghor consists of 10 districts, with a population largely dependent on agriculture and livestock. Ghor is one of Afghanistan’s most remote and underdeveloped provinces, facing severe food insecurity and harsh winters that isolate communities. Natural disasters like floods and droughts further strain livelihoods, especially for rural populations dependent on agriculture and livestock. The isolated geography of Ghor limits access to markets, healthcare, education, and humanitarian aid, making it one of the least developed provinces in Afghanistan. Poor infrastructure and seasonal road blockages due to heavy snowfall further hinder economic activities and service delivery. The overall security situation in Ghor is stable, however most of the offices halted their operations due to interference by the DFA in Ghor. Inclement weather conditions often cause the main supply routes to be closed during the winter season. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
Scam warning
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