Centrality of Protection Procedures Consultant, 3 months, Humanitarian Policy Section, Office of Emergency Prog, UNICEF New York, USA (Remote) #596436

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support engagement with the UNICEF Regulatory Framework Secretariat on the process required to develop Centrality of Protection (CoP) procedures;
• Support engagement with UNICEF country, regional and headquarters leadership on the CoP Conduct internal consultations to gather perspectives, identify priorities and inform the development of the CoP procedures;
• Develop a first draft of the CoP procedures for review, consultation and written feedback by relevant UNICEF divisions, offices and teams;
• Plan and facilitate a two-day consultation and validation meeting with relevant UNICEF divisions and teams to review, discuss and refine the draft CoP procedures;
• Consolidate and address feedback and inputs received through the consultation and validation process and prepare a final draft of the CoP procedures;
• Develop a one-year strategic plan for internalizing CoP within UNICEF, including short and long-term priority actions, milestones, indicators and next steps towards finalization and operationalization of the CoP procedures.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0007042 ToR v1.pdf

• Education: Master’s in International Affairs, International law, Political Science, International Development, Social Science, Anthropology or related fields  
• Work Experience: 15 years of professional experience from humanitarian or development organizations, including in programs, training, management or coordination, including 3 years in humanitarian field locations.
• Skills: At least 5 years of humanitarian or development experience from conflict affected areas;
• At least 5 years of experience implementing protection programming/ the Centrality of Protection in conflict-affected areas;
• Excellent drafting skills in English.

• Language Requirements: Proficiency in English written and verbal is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language is considered as an asset.
• Desirables: Regional or HQ experience related to institutionalizing the Centrality of Protection is desired;
• Prior work with UNICEF or another UN entity is an asset;
• Experience developing organization-wide procedures or policies to enhance the protection of civilians is desired;
• Working level of French is an asset.

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  TMC0007042 Financial proposal template.docx

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 20 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 30 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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