Terms
of Reference for Temporary Appointment (TA)
Child Protection Section
Position
Title: Child
Protection Specialist
Level: NOC
Location: Nairobi
based with travel to the field
Duration: 364
days
Start Date:
Reporting
to: Child Protection Specialist
Justification
The TA is linked to providing direct support to
the Government and stakeholders for the finalization of the Child Protection
System Strategy. It also entails strengthening the Section towards supporting
the Government for the development of a CPC policy which becomes the basis for
sustainability.
In addition, the TA will strengthen the Section
participation in the finalization of the Social Welfare Workforce situational
analysis and implementation of recommendations.
UNICEF has been collaborating with the Government
and more closely with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Development
(MGCSD) since 2009, towards the development of a functional Child Protection System.
The process, which begun with the mapping and assessment of Child Protection
services in Kenya,
is at the stage where a road map towards consensus building on the finalization
is critical.
Latest discussions have been around roles and
responsibilities of key government Ministries in relation to the gaps
identified. The National Council for Children Services (NCCS) has already
launched a document mapping out the roles of various stakeholders. MGCSD is
planning to hold technical discussions with senior Government officers and
policy makers to conceptualize its role in coordinating the process and
providing leadership to stakeholders. This also entails setting up of a Technical
Working Group (TWG) with membership drawn from Senior Government officers of
line Ministries. The National Study against Children Report (VAC) study report
will inform the finalization of the Child Protection System Strategy.
The process also entails validation of the
document by stakeholders before its launch and implementation.
UNICEF’s role in finalizing this process is crucial
considering the Child Protection Section funded most of the initial activities.
The TA will support the Section during the critical discussions with the Government
and stakeholders, and finalization of the Strategy document.
Finalization and implementation of the Child Protection
System Strategy is faced with a new policy on devolution of Government services
and decision making to the County level, as provided by the new Kenyan Constitution.
This is a shift from the currently centralized system which is likely to lead
to a review of programmes and delivery service mechanisms in Child Protection. The Section needs the TA to support
activities aimed at providing clarity on the way services will be delivered,
roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in Child Protection in relation to
the System capacity building.
MGCSG among other line Ministries is faced with the
need for a reorganization of services to suit the new requirements and training
of social workers. The TA will support the Section to liaise with the relevant
Government departments to identify areas that require attention in order to
comply with the new directives.
With the successful piloting of the Child
Protection Centers (CPC) concept in Malindi and Garissa, there are important lessons
learnt that will guide the scale up process. Malindi CPC, which is under MGCSD,
has initiated an outreach programme where services are taken closer to the
community. The initiative has proved very effective. Local leaders are trained
to coordinate Child Protection services at the village level, and use of local
resources. UNICEF is supporting MGCSD to advance this concept which provides
possibilities of reaching more children at the community level. The referral
system is an important component of the System and will facilitate the
reintegration of street children with their families, among other vulnerable
children. The Child Protection Section wants to engage the TA to strengthen the
team in UNICEF that will be directly involved in these activities to provide
direction for the scale up of CPCs and capacity building of personnel. This
assistance will also support the development of the CPC policy which is geared
towards sustainability.
UNICEF has been partnering with Government and
stakeholders in carrying out a Situational Analysis of the Social Welfare Workforce
in Child Protection. This is a follow up of a Regional Conference that took
place in South Africa
in early 2011, aimed at establishing capacity gaps of personnel in Child Protection.
At the same time, the mapping of Child Protection services in Kenya, carried
out in 2009 had identified qualified personnel as a major gap. The Situational
Analysis will lead to the definition of the social welfare workforce at various
levels in view of qualifications and relevance. It has been argued that that
not everyone can qualify to be classified as a social worker and more so in Child
Protection. The development of training packages for the various categories of
the Social Welfare Workforce will provide opportunities for training staff in
the appropriate courses and engagement. The Child Protection Section will
require the TA to support the team in participating to discussions with the
relevant Government ministries and training institutions for the finalization
of the Situational Analysis and implementation of its recommendations.
Scope of Work
1)
Child Protection System Strategy document finalized and launched:
-
Participate in
consultative meetings leading to the agreed road map for finalization of the
document;
-
Participate in the
technical meetings of the government officials and the technical team leading
to the updated draft;
-
Participate in the
validation exercise and finalization of the document;
-
Participate in
preparation of the launch and the development of the way forward in
implementation;
-
Assist the Section in
updating progress through provision of update reports.
2)
CPC concept operationalized and a policy document
developed:
-
Participate in
consultative meetings leading to the development of a CPC policy document;
-
Support the development
of the CPC capacity building tool and training of key personnel;
-
Follow up the scale up of
the CPC outreach programme in the selected districts ( Malindi Mombasa, Eldoret
and Garissa) where the CPC concept is already being implemented;
-
Support the Section to
collaborate with the Government in strengthening reintegration of street
children back to communities;
-
Support the development
of the referral system which is a key component of the Child Protection System.
3)
Child Protection programme aligned around the devolved
Government:
-
Participate in decision
making meetings and activities leading to alignment of Child protection
programmes in view of devolved services;
-
Alignment of the Child Protection
System Strategy with the new Policy on devolvement of services at County level.
4)
Social Welfare Workforce Situation Analysis finalized and
recommendations implemented:
-
Participate in the
finalization of the Situation Analysis of the Social Welfare workforce;
-
Participate in discussions
and activities leading to the categorization of social welfare personnel,
especially in the Government;
-
Participate in
consultations between the Government and training institutions towards the
development of a capacity building package for various categories of Social
welfare officers.
RWPPCR/IRs areas
covered
IR 1: The Government has the capacity to coordinate and demonstrate the
system approach to Child Protection;
IR 2: Roles and responsibilities of Child Protection duty bearers
articulate in policies, guidelines, regulations and legal framework.
Remuneration
The
position is at NO-C level.
Desired background and
experience
i)
Experience
in engaging discussions on policy issues at high political level;
ii)
Understanding
of Government structures and accessibility to Senior high level Officials;
iii)
Capacity
to work with the government, civil society organizations and the public at
various levels;
iv)
Strong
analytical and conceptual skills in drafting Strategy documents and operational
plans;
v)
An
advanced Degree in Social Development;
vi)
At
least 5 years of progressive experience in management of social work, family
placement, policy development and general Child Protection Programming, in
particular with the Government of Kenya;
vii)
Knowledge
in current debates on Child protection arena, care and protection of orphans
and vulnerable children and social protection debates;
viii)
Good
coordination and communication skills.
Conditions (Important)
Please consult with HR on entitlements as
many are set by UNICEF rules.
Applications quoting
reference number KCO/CP/2012-014 should be addressed to:
Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country
Office
Email:
kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Closing date for receipt
of applications is 03 April 2012.
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