Child Protection Officer

Job Title: Child Protection Officer (Social Workforce Development)

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNICEF

Assignment country: Bangladesh

Expected start date: 01/11/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Dhaka

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families. UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities. UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities. UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United 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. UNICEF works with other United Nations agencies to make sure that children are on the global agenda. UNICEF strikes a balance between thorough research and practical solutions for children. UNICEF has been supporting Ministry of Social Welfare and Department of Social Services in Bangladesh for Social Service Workforce development and establishing child sensitive social protection mechanism. The organization is going to put more resources with Bangladesh government for social service workforce development considering the huge child population which is close to 60 million and the number of children needing care and protection. In the country around 15 million children live in city slums and 500,000 to 2 million children live in the street. The country has only 3454 reported government social service workforce staffs and the ratio of worker per 100,000 child population is 6.07. UNICEF has Child Sensitive Social Protection project with Ministry of Social Welfare which is running it’s second phase since 2017 and will continue until 2024 with intensifying focus on strengthening the social service workforce and alternative care.

Task description

The UN Volunteer will work under the supervision of Child Protection Specialist. The key functions are as follows. 1. Assist in roll out Social Service Workforce development initiative. 2. Assist in review and updating the Social Service Workforce development curriculums in the country. 3. Assist in developing normative framework for Social Service workforce in Bangladesh and developing accreditation system 4. Assist National Social Service Training Academy of Department of Social Services to upgrade Basic and Professional Social Service Training (BSST and PSST) into certified course 5. Assist in initiating Masters/Executive Course or Certificate Course on child protection social work with public and private University in the country. 6. Work closely with consultants and provide them technical support. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • 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 in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • 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. Results/Expected Outputs: 1. 308 Social Workers and Probation Officers are trained. 2. Social Service Workforce development curriculums is reviewed and updated. 3. Normative framework and accreditation mechanism for Social Service workforce is developed. 4. National Social Service Training Academy of Department of Social Services upgraded Basic and Professional Social Service Training (BSST and PSST) into certified course 5. Masters/Executive Course or Certificate Course on child protection social work is initiated with at least one public. 6. Ensure children with disability project implemented and monitored regularly. 7. Data assurance and collective qualitative information on social work force from CSO, Gov and consultants.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in • Either the UN and/or NGO. Experience in Child Protection Social Work, Social Service Workforce development and child protection programme design, implementation. • Experience in social work, social workforce development an asset. • Fluency in English (verbal and written). Good written and spoken skills in another UN language an asset. • Expertise in Child Protection, Social Service Workforce qualification framework and accreditation mechanism, Capacity Development of Social Service Workforce, Community Engagement, Social Justice.

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Social work, Community development

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Social Welfare/Social Work preferably in Child Protection Social Work.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Client Orientation • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Empowering Others • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Judgement and Decision-making • Knowledge Sharing • Managing Performance • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Dhaka is located in central Bangladesh. Not only is it the capital city, but it is also the largest in the country. It is the centre of political, cultural, and economic life in Bangladesh. The official language is Bengali, while English is the working language of UN Agencies. In recent decades, Dhaka has seen the modernization of services, communications, and public works. The city is attracting large foreign investments and greater volumes of commerce and trade. It is also experiencing an increasing influx of people from across the nation; this has reportedly made Dhaka one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Good English-speaking medical, dental services, and educational centres are available for internationals. Dhaka is connected to other cities by rail, road, and by air and internationals can move easily from one city to another. Dhaka has venerable green spaces, including many gardens and parks, historical places, and nice restaurants. The weather is tropical - hot and very humid during the summer monsoon season (April-September) and drier and cooler in the winter (October-March). Historically, Bangladesh has been a safe country for internationals so far. While Dhaka is not categorized as a hardship station, the volunteer should be prepared for limitations in freedom of movement on foot, by public transport, and to certain locations.

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.

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