Child Protection Officer

Formation / Diplômes

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Position: Child Protection Officer Organization: UNOPS (supporting UNICEF Malawi) Project: Ending Child Marriage (ECM) Portfolio Focus Areas: Mobile Response Teams (MRTs), mass birth registration for legal identity, strengthened justice pathways, and large-scale community norm change Job Highlight The National Child Protection Officer will provide technical support at national and district level to the ending child marriage portfolio, under the oversight and technical leadership of the Child Protection Specialist. The Child Protection Officer will support the implementation for one of Malawi's most ambitious child protection investments, focusing on Mobile Response Teams (MRTs), mass birth registration for legal identity, strengthened justice pathways, and large-scale community norm change. About the Region The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). About the Country/Multi-Country Office Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS' commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region. Job Specific Context Child marriage remains a critical challenge in Malawi, with approximately 38% of girls marrying before age 18—one of the highest rates globally and the third highest in Eastern and Southern Africa—driven by entrenched poverty, harmful social norms, limited access to services, and weak, under-resourced child protection and case-management systems. The practice disproportionately affects rural and poorer households, where multidimensional deprivation is most severe, and contributes to school dropout, adolescent pregnancy, and intergenerational cycles of poverty. Despite national progress, the scale and persistence of child marriage requires a targeted, system-strengthening approach that enhances detection, improves survivor-centered response, and expands community-level prevention. UNICEF is entering a five-year, multi-country partnership with the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) with a focus on Ending Child Marriage (ECM). The programme in Malawi builds on existing government structures, aligns with the National Strategy to End Child Marriage (2024–2030), and complements ongoing capacities across social welfare, police, judiciary, and community mechanisms. Institutional Framework & Recruitment Context This position is being filled as a Partner Personnel role. UNOPS is supporting UNICEF Malawi as a UN partner, providing dedicated recruitment and administrative support for this position. The selected candidate will be recruited by UNICEF using UNOPS recruitment rules and regulations. Upon completion of the process, the incumbent will be engaged directly as personnel of UNICEF Malawi, not as UNOPS personnel. Consequently, the selected professional will work under the effective management, day-to-day oversight, and supervision of a designated supervisor within UNICEF. Role Purpose Supports day-to-day implementation and coordination of ECM and MRT activities at national and district levels. Leads routine engagement with districts, service providers, and CSOs, supports field supervision, monitors implementation progress, and addresses operational bottlenecks. Functions / Key Results Expected Support implementation at district level and act as primary technical counterpart to Government and CSO partners at district level Translate technical guidance into practical action on the ground, ensuring service providers clearly understand agreed-upon SOPs and are equipped

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