Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF (NO-3) – Abuja

Introduction: UNICEF is recruiting a dedicated and experienced Child Protection Specialist to support its Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) programme, with a strong focus on birth registration and legal identity in Nigeria. This role is critical to advancing children’s rights, strengthening national systems, and ensuring that every child is recognized, protected, and given a fair start in life.

• Job Title: Child Protection Specialist
• Company: UNICEF
• Location: Abuja, Nigeria
• Employment Type: Fixed Term Appointment
• Category: Child Protection
• Level: NO-3

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF saves lives, defends children’s rights, and helps children fulfill their potential. In Nigeria, UNICEF operates in a complex humanitarian and development context, working with government institutions, civil society, communities, and families to ensure that every child survives, thrives, and is protected.

Job Purpose

The Child Protection Specialist (CRVS – Birth Registration) reports to the Child Protection Manager and provides technical leadership and management support for the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics programme. The role focuses on planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of birth registration initiatives, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s equity strategy, national priorities, and international child rights frameworks.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

1. Programme Development and Planning

• Support the preparation and updating of situation analyses on child protection and birth registration.
• Contribute to strategic planning and formulation of child protection and CRVS programme proposals.
• Define programme goals, objectives, strategies, and implementation plans using Results-Based Management (RBM).
• Ensure alignment with UNICEF Strategic Plans, UNDAF, and national development priorities.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programme development.

2. Programme Management, Monitoring and Results Delivery

• Establish monitoring benchmarks and performance indicators for child protection programmes.
• Participate in programme reviews, evaluations, and annual reviews with government and partners.
• Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports to assess progress, identify gaps, and document lessons learned.
• Conduct field visits to monitor implementation and recommend corrective actions.

3. Technical and Operational Support

• Provide technical guidance to government counterparts, NGOs, UN partners, and donors.
• Support interpretation and application of UNICEF policies and best practices on child protection.
• Coordinate technical expertise across field offices and programme sections.
• Draft policy briefs, technical papers, and strategic programme documents.

4. Networking and Partnership Building

• Build and sustain partnerships with government institutions, donors, development partners, and academia.
• Support advocacy, communication, and resource mobilization for child protection programmes.
• Represent UNICEF in inter-agency coordination forums related to birth registration.

5. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Promote innovative approaches and best practices in child protection and CRVS systems.
• Strengthen national and partner capacity through training and knowledge sharing.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Education: Advanced university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or a related social science field.
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years professional experience in child protection, social development planning, and programme management.
• Experience in birth registration programmes and work within UN agencies is an added advantage.
• Language: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN or local language is an asset.

Core Values and Competencies

UNICEF operates based on its core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drives results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others
• Nurtures, leads, and manages people (for supervisory roles)

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through UNICEF’s official recruitment portal:

Apply via UNICEF Recruitment Portal

Application Deadline

07 January, 2026

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