Humanitarian Policy Specialist; Children and Armed Conflict

The Humanitarian Policy Specialist (Children and Armed Conflict) supports UNICEF's global policy, advocacy and inter-agency engagement on the Children and Armed Conflict agenda. The role involves providing technical and strategic expertise, coordinating with UN bodies and partners, and advancing child protection priorities in humanitarian contexts.

• Support the development of inter-agency and UNICEF policies and guidance related to Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC).
• Provide timely UNICEF feedback on inter-agency documents and initiatives related to the protection of children, ensuring consistency with UNICEF’s positions and policies.
• Support the development of high-quality working papers, guidance and policies to support field colleagues and strengthen UNICEF’s response in emergencies.
• Provide accurate and timely ad hoc guidance to UNICEF colleagues on issues related to CAAC, international humanitarian law, human rights law and related areas.
• Coordinate engagement with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC) on issues of common concern.
• Coordinate with the OSRSG-CAAC on Security Council reporting requirements to ensure inputs from UNICEF regional and country offices are accurately reflected and potential negative impacts on field operations are mitigated.
• Co-chair meetings of the MRM Technical Reference Group (TRG) and support the development of related policies and practical guidance for MRM practitioners.
• Coordinate support to MRM Country Task Forces (CTFMRs), in collaboration with the Child Protection team and OSRSG-CAAC, on emerging policy issues, including high-level and technical meetings and joint field visits.
• Serve as UNICEF focal point to the Security Council Working Group on CAAC (SCWG), including participation in field visits, and coordinate UNICEF’s interventions before the SCWG.
• Coordinate UNICEF’s review of the Secretary-General’s annual report on CAAC, including guidance and support to concerned country and regional offices and related advocacy.
• Coordinate EMOPS support to country offices, regional offices and headquarters on CAAC-related issues, including guidance on engagement with parties to conflict, risk management, engagement with OSRSG-CAAC, and private and public advocacy.
• Coordinate UNICEF’s principal-level involvement in the Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict and in bi-annual meetings of the HQ Task Force on CAAC.
• Support offices in developing options papers, Q&A and risk-management analyses to strategically position UNICEF and manage risk effectively.
• Engage with Member States, Groups of Friends of CAAC, civil society and other UN entities to support UNICEF’s advocacy on protecting children in armed conflict.
• Engage with Member States, including SCWG members, and key partners to influence Security Council resolutions, presidential statements and conclusions on protection of civilians and IHL issues, ensuring appropriate inclusion of child-protection language consistent with UNICEF’s positions.
• Develop statements, briefing notes and other preparatory materials to support UNICEF’s high-level engagement on key protection and IHL issues, including Arria-formula meetings and other panels.
• Participate on behalf of UNICEF in relevant meetings, workshops and events and support the reflection of UNICEF’s positions.

• Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Law, Social Science, Political Science, International Development, Human right, Anthropology and any other related fields.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance, Child Protection, Advocacy, Humanitarian action and any other related fields.
• Experience…