Child Protection Officer

Details:
Mission and objectives:
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized in April 2014 the deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation, MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA). MINUSCA current uniformed personnel levels stand at 11,650 military personnel and 2,080 police personnel, and are tasked with the strategic objective of creating the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to sustainably reducing the presence of — and threat posed by — armed groups. See http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/.
Context:
Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).
Task description:
The following duties are generic and may differ depending on the requirements of the mission. Under the overall supervision of the Bangassou Head of Office/Chief Child Protection, the UN Volunteer Child Protection Officer will perform the following duties:
– Represent MINUSCA Child Protection at working level meetings as required.
– Work closely with peacekeeping personnel and partners on the ground in mainstreaming the protection of children in all activities.
– Participate in regular induction and training programs on child rights and child protection for mission personnel, UN Agency staff, local authorities, peace committees, partners, NGOs and parties to the conflict deployed in his/her area of responsibility and build capacity of actors to prevent and respond to grave violations against children.
– Identify child protection concerns, trends and responses related to children and armed conflict and report daily to the Chief Child Protection Adviser.
– Monitor and report on grave violations committed against children in coordination with peacekeeping personnel and partners in his/her area of responsibility.
– Engage in a dialogue with parties to the conflict on child protection concerns to prevent and address grave violations against children.
– Assist in the development of capacities of peacekeeping personnel and partners to collect timely, accurate, reliable and objective information on violations committed against children.
– Establish a viable management and screening system of the information collected in the field.
– Under the guidance of the Chief Child Protection Adviser, liaise with local authorities in his/her area of responsibility on actions taken to prevent and prosecute violations committed against children and follow up on assistance for child victims.
– Support liaison and cooperation with key actors, including United Nations agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations in order to coordinate support to the protection of the needs of children.
– Support the establishment and the work of the Protection Working Groups Network as well as the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism / Working Groups in his/her area of responsibility.
– Develop an understanding of Security Council Resolutions on Children;
– Carry out regular field missions and participate in joint field missions in order to address child protection concerns.
– Any other related duties as may be required.
Requirements:
the field of Human Rights, Child Protection or protection.
Competencies and values:

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within area of operations as may be necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values

Area(s) of expertise:

Legal affairs

Required education level:
Bachelor degree or equivalent
Other information: The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Living conditions are acceptable in Bangui, but security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with. The country security level is between 3 and 5, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 6 am.
The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is a volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of very bad roads and roadblocks along the way.
There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD for a small apartment with no furniture, no power generator and no running water, to 2,000 USD with all commodities.
A UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well. Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.
The town of Bangassou Sector North HQ) is located in western CAR, approximately 500 km from Bangui, where living conditions are quite acceptable. The local market is open every day and well-furnished with seasonal fruit and basic goods. A military Level I clinic exists, but the mission has plans to establish a better facility. MINUSCA has constructed a tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards, as well as prefabricated accommodation camps and office units. There are also catering services provided by a commercial entity on a payment basis.
A Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations at a 6-week frequency.
The Central African Republic is a unique country and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

United Nations