The Senior Child Protection Associate will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing field-level implementation of interdisciplinary activities related to children on the move, including case management, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), community-based and legal protection as well as child wellbeing. S/he will supervise and support a multidisciplinary team composed of caseworkers, MHPSS officers, and child protection assistants, ensuring quality, consistency, and adherence to UNICEF child protection policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The Senior Child Protection Associate manages a complete support service by integrating multiple processes related to children on the move. S/he supervises the work of support staff, applies baseline professional principles of child protection, formulates proposals for improving service delivery, and ensures the integrity of related documents and reports.
Technical and operational support to Children on the move programme implementation
Plan, coordinate, and monitor the day-to-day implementation of children on the move activities in assigned locations, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s programme priorities and standards.
Supervise and guide the work of child protection caseworkers, MHPSS officers, child protection assistants, and child wellbeing ensuring timely delivery of quality children on the move interventions.
Ensure that case management, MHPSS, and other child protection activities are implemented in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Best Interests of the Child principle.
Provide technical oversight for the implementation of child protection interventions, ensuring adherence to minimum standards, ethical principles, and data protection requirements.
Oversee, in close collaboration with sectors leads the implementation of activities related to child and community development including health, nutrition, ECD, WASH, education, as well as emergency preparedness and responses.
Ensure that monitoring, reporting, and documentation systems are maintained and updated accurately (including databases and case files), in line with UNICEF’s confidentiality and safeguarding standards.
Individual Child Protection Support
Oversee the identification, registration, and follow-up of vulnerable children, ensuring appropriate assessment, case planning, referrals, and care.
Lead and supervise the process of Best Interests Assessments (BIA) and participate in Best Interests Determination (BID) panels, ensuring documentation and coordination with UNHCR and relevant partners.
Facilitate referrals to essential services (health, education, MHPSS, GBV, legal aid) in coordination with local authorities and partners.
Ensure that staff receive regular case conferencing, coaching, and quality assurance support.
Monitor and support appropriate care arrangements for unaccompanied and separated children, including alternative care and family tracing and reunification in collaboration with UNHCR, IOM, and the national child protection system.
Coordination, Partnership, and Representation
Serve as the primary focal point for UNICEF’s operations and security at field level, ensuring regular coordination and communication with UNHCR, IOM, local authorities, and NGO partners.
Participate actively in inter-agency coordination meetings, ensuring timely information sharing and follow-up on activities and joint interventions.
Support the Chief of Child Protection, the sector leads and the Child Protection Officer in maintaining collaborative relationships with government and non-government partners, facilitating harmonised approaches to children on the move service delivery.
Ensure consistent application of risk-informed, gender-responsive, and inclusive approaches across all interventions.
Promote accountability to affected populations (AAP), accessibility to PSEA helplines, and community awareness of available child protection services.
Capacity Building, Supervision, and Staff Support
Develop and monitor the team workplan, setting clear objectives, priorities, and performance indicators for field staff.
Conduct regular supervision, coaching, and on-the-job capacity-building sessions for staff and partners, with particular attention to case management, PSEA, GBV risk mitigation, and psychosocial support.
Identify learning needs and contribute to the design and delivery of training and mentoring activities for staff, partners, and community actors.
Promote a safe, respectful, and supportive team environment that prioritises staff well-being and adherence to UNICEF’s core values and child safeguarding standards.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Management
Collect and compile data and information related to child protection activities, ensuring accuracy and timely submission of field reports and indicators.
Contribute to situation reports, donor reports, and programme updates by documenting progress, challenges, and lessons learned.
Participate in field monitoring visits and contribute to the identification of gaps, risks, and opportunities for programmatic improvement.
Support the documentation and dissemination of good practices and innovative approaches in community-based child protection and case management.
Child Safeguarding and Accountability
Ensure strict adherence to UNICEF’s child safeguarding policy and procedures in all aspects of programme implementation.
Take proactive measures to prevent and respond to any safeguarding or PSEA concerns.
Promote ethical conduct, confidentiality, and respect for the dignity and rights of every child and family engaged in UNICEF-supported activities.
