UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF)
KENYA COUNTRY OFFICE
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT “KCO/CP/2014-085”
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Duty Station – Nairobi
Child Protection Specialist, NO-C, Post#90618 Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Date of Issue: 05 December 2014
Closing Date: 18 December 2014
Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Fixed Term position
of Child Protection Specialist in UNICEF Kenya Country Office (KCO)
Purpose of the Post: Under the supervision of Child Protection Specialist/Social Welfare based in
Nairobi, responsible for contributing to the development of a national child protection system that prevents
and responds to violence, abuse and exploitation of children.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
With specific emphasis on: (1) the development, implementation, and coordination activities of the joint
program to accelerate abandonment of FGM/C (2) within the context of systems development, provide
technical support for the implementation of the VAC Response plan; (3) take lead in knowledge generation
around child marriage in the country and advocate for inclusion of outcomes in key development
interventions; (4) and supporting the roll out of the system approach at county and sub-county level with
a particular focus on Violence against Children, harmful practices, access to justice for Children in close
collaboration with field offices.

Develop child protection projects/interventions focussing on harmful practices mainly FGM/C and
child marriage abandonment strategies; be responsible for their planning, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation. Work closely with program colleagues to ensure inclusion of relevant
advocacy and service delivery activities for vulnerable groups in existing and new projects in other
programme areas.

Within UNICEF, and as required, contribute to raising additional funds by preparing proposals,
briefing notes and concept notes and liaise with potential donors for the program.

Spearhead building of partnerships with senior Government officials, none-state actors (such as
NGOs, FBOs, CBOs), religious leaders, the private sector, other UN agencies, media, artists and
celebrities, communities and young people to form positive social norms that ensure the
formation of critical mass for the abandonment of harmful practices in Kenya and support
implementation of laws, policies and programmes that protect children from harmful practices;
strengthen coordination of efforts towards abandonment of harmful practices.

Responsible to analyse existing information and data on harmful practices such as Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) for advocacy, policy dialogue with Government, design of strategies
and programme formulation aimed at accelerating abandonment of FGM/C; identify gaps in the
abandonment efforts and devise ways to address; apply social norms change theory to
programming to park off an abandonment movement in the country; ensure information is shared
with the chief of section, senior management and other relevant colleagues on new developments
regarding FGM/C abandonment efforts.

Generate knowledge on child marriage in the country; provide technical support for the
management and sharing of that knowledge; spearhead dialogue with Government and other
stakeholders on child marriage; carry out field visits to carry out community conversations on child
marriage and contribute these to national dialogue and efforts.

In coordination and collaboration with Communication for Development (C4D), support the
development of effective communication and information materials aimed at bringing about
change in social and individual behaviour as well as in law and administrative.

Carry out field assessment visits for evaluating the effectiveness of UNICEF interventions,
identifying problems and proposing remedial solutions; and monitoring reporting systems for
child protection, including useful indicators to monitor and evaluate national and county efforts
for the abandonment of harmful practices.

Assist in defining strategies for Child Protection actors using the social norms change in
programming; lead capacity building of stakeholders on understanding social norms change and
provide technical support for the national efforts to outline a national movement towards
abandonment of harmful practices; plan and organize trainings and orientation activities for
Government and NGO personnel, community members and young people in order to mobilize a
critical mass nodding for the abandonment of FGM/C and child marriage.

Prepare country programme documentation, contribute to the child protection annual reports and
analyses; supervise and monitor management of cash and other supply assistance, budget
reviews and maintenance of data ensuring efficient use of funds and reporting thereafter.
Required Qualifications:
Advanced university degree in the social sciences (Sociology, Education and or Law) or other relevant
field.
Experience:
At least five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the development,
implementation and management of field programmes with special emphasis on Child protection especially
on abandonment of FGM/C and child marriage, Violence against Children, psychosocial support, working
with and on community mechanisms, Case Management, and or GBV. This position requires excellent
writing and analytical skills, supervisory skills and the candidate will be expected to support resource
mobilization to support child protection program. Knowledge and understanding of social norms is an asset.
Language:
Fluency in English and Kiswahili. Knowledge of one or more of languages of communities in Kenya is
an added advantage.
Competencies:
i) Core Values (Required)
• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity
ii) Core Competencies (Required)
• Communication [Level II]
• Working with People [Level II]
• Drive for Results [level II]
iii)Functional Competencies (Required)
• Leading and Supervising [Level I]
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [Level II]
• Analyzing [Level III]
• Relating and Networking [Level II]
• Deciding and Initiating Action [Level II]
• Applying Technical Expertise [Level III]
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure they forward their applications along with their
curriculum vitae, P11 (internal candidates should attach copies of their last two Performance Evaluation
Reports), to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/CP/2014-085” in the email subject.
“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
UNICEF IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT