UNICEF
Purpose for the job
The Child Protection Officer reports to the Programme Manager for supervision and provides professional, operational, and administrative support throughout the programming cycle of child protection initiatives under the UNICEF Costa Rica Country Programme. This includes planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of results, with a particular focus on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC), advancing advocacy to influence public policy and social norms, and promoting gender‑responsive and adolescent‑centered approaches.
The Officer contributes to the design and execution of evidence‑based interventions that protect children and adolescents from all forms of violence, including abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Special attention is given to gender‑based violence and the vulnerabilities of adolescent girls and boys, ensuring programming is inclusive and equitable. This involves supporting the development of advocacy and financing strategies, and multi‑sectoral partnerships with government institutions, civil society, and youth‑led organizations.
In addition, the Child Protection Officer serves as the local focal point for Adolescent and Gender Development, integrating these cross‑cutting priorities into child protection programming and broader country‑level initiatives. The Officer works closely with stakeholders to promote adolescent participation, gender equality, and the empowerment of girls and boys in all aspects of UNICEF’s work in Costa Rica.
Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks Support to programme development and planning
Conduct and update situation analysis
for child protection programmes, researching trends and data for programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation, and delivery.
Contribute to the development of programme goals, objectives, and strategies
through research, analysis, and reporting.
Provide technical and operational support throughout programming processes
by executing and administering transactions, preparing documentation, and complying with organisational processes.
Prepare required programme documentation and materials
to facilitate programme review and approval.
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Collaborate with colleagues and partners to address implementation issues, provide solutions, and alert appropriate stakeholders for interventions.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and sectoral reviews to assess child protection projects and report on required actions.
Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources, ensuring compliance with allocations, rules, and donor commitments.
Prepare regular sectoral reports for management, donors and partners.
Advocacy and Campaigns for Awareness - Raising
Support the development and dissemination of communication materials, campaigns, multimedia content, and resources to raise awareness of children’s rights.
Engage with stakeholders to identify strategic partners for programme implementation and resource mobilisation.
Contribute to the formulation and implementation of policies that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of child protection programmes.
Coordinate capacity‑building initiatives that strengthen the competencies of actors across communities.
Carry out additional tasks assigned by the Programme Manager in alignment with the Country Programme Document and strategic priorities.
Networking and partnership building
Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts, sharing information and knowledge to facilitate implementation and build capacity.
Participate in inter‑agency meetings and events to collaborate on child protection programming and align with UNSDCF processes.
Research potential donors and prepare resource mobilisation materials and briefs.
Draft communication materials for advocacy to promote awareness and support fundraising.
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity building of stakeholders.
Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable results.
Research and report on best practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
Participate as a resource person in capacity‑building initiatives to enhance stakeholders’ competencies.
Qualifications
Education:
University degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, law or another relevant social science field.
Work Experience:
At least two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN language or a local language is an asset.
Desirables
Experience working in a developing country is an asset.
Relevant experience in programme development in child protection areas within a UN system agency or organisation is an asset.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. UNICEF provides a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero‑tolerance policy on 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. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks in line with UN standards.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:
Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self‑awareness and ethical awareness
Drives to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
ThinkS and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others
Manages people (for supervisory roles)
Additional information about working for UNICEF For more details, visit UNICEF’s competency framework and the UNICEF Values Charter.
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The Officer contributes to the design and execution of evidence‑based interventions that protect children and adolescents from all forms of violence, including abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Special attention is given to gender‑based violence and the vulnerabilities of adolescent girls and boys, ensuring programming is inclusive and equitable. This involves supporting the development of advocacy and financing strategies, and multi‑sectoral partnerships with government institutions, civil society, and youth‑led organizations.
In addition, the Child Protection Officer serves as the local focal point for Adolescent and Gender Development, integrating these cross‑cutting priorities into child protection programming and broader country‑level initiatives. The Officer works closely with stakeholders to promote adolescent participation, gender equality, and the empowerment of girls and boys in all aspects of UNICEF’s work in Costa Rica.
Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks Support to programme development and planning
Conduct and update situation analysis
for child protection programmes, researching trends and data for programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation, and delivery.
Contribute to the development of programme goals, objectives, and strategies
through research, analysis, and reporting.
Provide technical and operational support throughout programming processes
by executing and administering transactions, preparing documentation, and complying with organisational processes.
Prepare required programme documentation and materials
to facilitate programme review and approval.
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Collaborate with colleagues and partners to address implementation issues, provide solutions, and alert appropriate stakeholders for interventions.
Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and sectoral reviews to assess child protection projects and report on required actions.
Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources, ensuring compliance with allocations, rules, and donor commitments.
Prepare regular sectoral reports for management, donors and partners.
Advocacy and Campaigns for Awareness - Raising
Support the development and dissemination of communication materials, campaigns, multimedia content, and resources to raise awareness of children’s rights.
Engage with stakeholders to identify strategic partners for programme implementation and resource mobilisation.
Contribute to the formulation and implementation of policies that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of child protection programmes.
Coordinate capacity‑building initiatives that strengthen the competencies of actors across communities.
Carry out additional tasks assigned by the Programme Manager in alignment with the Country Programme Document and strategic priorities.
Networking and partnership building
Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts, sharing information and knowledge to facilitate implementation and build capacity.
Participate in inter‑agency meetings and events to collaborate on child protection programming and align with UNSDCF processes.
Research potential donors and prepare resource mobilisation materials and briefs.
Draft communication materials for advocacy to promote awareness and support fundraising.
Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and capacity building of stakeholders.
Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable results.
Research and report on best practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
Participate as a resource person in capacity‑building initiatives to enhance stakeholders’ competencies.
Qualifications
Education:
University degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, law or another relevant social science field.
Work Experience:
At least two years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection related areas.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN language or a local language is an asset.
Desirables
Experience working in a developing country is an asset.
Relevant experience in programme development in child protection areas within a UN system agency or organisation is an asset.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. UNICEF provides a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero‑tolerance policy on 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. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks in line with UN standards.
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are:
Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self‑awareness and ethical awareness
Drives to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
ThinkS and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others
Manages people (for supervisory roles)
Additional information about working for UNICEF For more details, visit UNICEF’s competency framework and the UNICEF Values Charter.
#J-18808-Ljbffr