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POSITION : TA Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist (Children Associated with Armed Groups), P-3 

Background and Rationale
The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria is seeking the interest of a qualified Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist in the area of reintegration of girls and boys who have been associated with armed groups.

In the course of 2014 and early 2015, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS), more commonly as Boko Haram intensified its attacks on the civilian population in Nigeria, with tactics developing from hit-and-run attacks targeting Government officials, security forces, police stations, detention centers, religious figures and schools, to take-and-hold attacks in which JAS managed to establish and maintain control over large swaths of territory. While in late 2015 and 2016 the Nigerian Armed Forces took back most JAS controlled areas, the fighting caused additional mass displacement, especially in Borno State.
Children have been acutely impacted by the conflict. In particular, children have been recruited and used by both sides to the conflict. 

The government estimates that over 8,000 children have been used by JAS in combat and non combat roles. 21 under-18 year old girls were used by JAS for suicide attacks in 2015 alone. Children perceived to have fought for JAS are being rejected by their communities and are at risk of being attacked if they try to return. Sexual violence has also been a characteristic of the conflict. It is estimated that 7,000 women and girls have suffered conflict related sexual violence, including following abduction by JAS and forced marriage to their fighters. Many girls and women have become pregnant and given birth as a result of the conflict. The girls and women, and their children are facing stigma and in some case violence as they return to their communities following escape or rescue by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

UNICEF is supporting state and non state partners to develop and implement a reintegration programme, to ensure safe supported return for these highly vulnerable children and women.

Overall Objective of the Temporary Position

• The overall objective of the post is to promote the handover of children associated with armed groups to civilian authorities and to ensure their safe, supported return and reintegration.

Specific Project Objectives to which the Position is Related

• Output 36: By 2017, the capacity of key institutions and civil society is strengthened to monitor and report violence against children especially in humanitarian context and implement gender and age-appropriate prevention and response measures in at least three states.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished

• Provide technical guidance for the development and implementation of the strategy and programme on the reintegration of children associated with armed groups (CAAFAG)
• Facilitate the training of and ongoing support for state and non state actors, including community volunteers, on the reintegration of CAAFAG
• Facilitate the training of military and security personnel on child protection
• Engage in advocacy on the handover of children from military authorities to civilian authorities
• Establish the reintegration programme in a minimum of six local government areas, as well as Maiduguri, in Borno State
• Support the development of community based reintegration activities for CAAFAG
• Engage with religious and community leaders to promote reintegration of CAAFAG
• Strengthen the referral mechanism for CAAFAG to available services and programmes, including education and livelihoods programming
• Establish and manage peacebuilding initiatives in focus communities, including the establishment of peacebuilding clubs
• Support the tracing and reunification of families for CAAFAG
• Manage and quality assure the work of the team of consultants and third party local consultants responsible for overseeing and monitoring the children associated with armed groups programme
• Manage and develop new programme cooperation agreements with international and national NGOs for the reintegration of children associated with armed groups and peacebuilding
• Ensure robust data collection to capture the number of beneficiaries reached by the programme and the impact of the programme, including management of the evaluation of the programme
• Ensure effective linkages with other components of the child protection in emergencies programme
• Manage the children associated with armed groups programme, including ensuring timely implementation of activities, timely reporting to the donors, compliance with visibility requirements and compliance with internal UNICEF procedures and processes

Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required
Essential:

• Advanced university Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrable professional experience in implementing child protection in emergency programmes
• Experience of implementing reintegration programmes for children associated with armed groups
• Excellent training and communication skills
• Proven ability to work independently under difficult conditions
• Excellent advocacy skills
• First university Degree with additional two-years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Desirable:

• Experience in advocating with military/security forces for the handover of children
• Experience in implementing peacebuilding programmes
• Experience in Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (Security Council 1612)
• Experience in team management
• Fluency in English

Competencies of Successful Candidate
Core Values:

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with people
• Drive for results

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Analyzing
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Applying technical expertise

Remarks:

• The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.
• Please note that Maiduguri, Borno is a non-family duty station.
• The position is based in Maiduguri, Borno State, with regular travel to Yobe State