Mission and objectives
Social inclusion of all children is at the core of UNICEF’s mandate in Romania. To accomplish this, we, along with our partners, central and local authorities and NGOs, developed two models: The Minimum Package of Services for vulnerable children and their families; and the Quality Inclusive Education Package. These models focus on preventing unnecessary separation of children from their families, poverty, early pregnancies, illness, discrimination, absenteeism and school dropouts. They are now ready to be scaled-up nationwide, with national or European funding. Through Communication for Social Change campaigns we are also working on preventing discrimination and violence against children and empowering parents, caregivers and legal guardians, to provide a protective, stimulating environment for every child. UNICEF is also mobilizing resources from private individuals, private sector companies and foundations to support children in Romania and beyond.
Context
UNICEF Romania develops models so that all children are protected, safe and healthy, having decent living conditions, and access to quality education. UNICEF’s support in Romania for refugee children, women, and families coming from Ukraine consists of several components, First, UNICEF supports the Romanian Government, local authorities, UN agencies, and non-government organizations to monitor the inflow of Ukrainian refugees. Second, given the increase in cross-border movements, UNICEF is working together with the Romanian Government at national and sub-national levels and other relevant partners to provide protection and assistance to refugees through both direct services and referral to enhanced national/local services and community-based interventions, including through establishment and roll-out of Blue Dots – Children and Family Support Hubs. In the protection sector, UNICEF’s response in collaboration with the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities through the National Authority for the Protection of Children’s Rights and Adoption (NAPCRA), local General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC), local municipalities, UNHCR, other relevant partners in strategic areas and local NGOs focuses on establishing and operationalizing Blue Dots at the border crossings and along anticipated routes of major migration flows. These Hubs are dedicated refugee children and family support centers and represent an integrated model focusing on providing support for the most immediate needs of children and women. The Blue Dots build on the government’s national protection system and are linked to the national and local referral pathways and services. The Blue Dots include child-friendly spaces offering integrated services including family reunification and restoring family links, information and counselling desks, registration of the most vulnerable, spaces dedicated to mothers and babies/ young children, psychological therapy, and first aid on hygiene, health, and nutrition, as well as basic legal advice, referral services for cases of violence or health conditions, etc. Blankets, warm clothes, sanitary kits, toys, as well as hygiene products, and baby food are available in the Blue Dots. UNICEF has a continued presence at Sighet and Siret Border crossings and has recently set up three more Blue Dots in Isaccea, Albita and Husi, while assessing the situation at other border points. More information about Blue Dots in Romania: https://www.unicef.org/romania/stories/3-things-know-about-blue-dots and https://www.unicef.org/romania/blue-dot-providing-critical-support-refugees-ukraine
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Response Coordinator or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: • Contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of child protection programmes, including Accountability to Affected Population (AAP), in the respective Blue Dot; • Develop and implement activities that will increase reach and impact of the key position of Blue Dots; • Support the local General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection (DGASPC) and involved Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to organize/coordinate volunteers’ activity in the Blue Dot; • Assist the local DGASPC to coordinate with local municipalities, UNHCR, local NGOs, and other relevant partners on issues related to the respective Blue Dot (regular communication, attendance of coordination meetings, elaborate minutes); • Ensure the coordination of (public and private) service providers (legal counsellor, psychologists, social workers, health service providers, PSEA and WASH experts etc) of the respective Blue Dot; • Signal any issues/problems while developing solutions, and if needed escalate to Area Coordinators; • Contribute to knowledge management through stories for partners and internal UNICEF reports; • Provide support in development of guidelines/documents for Blue Dots practice through experiences and lessons; • Facilitate visits of internal and external partners, team members of UNICEF; • Ensure registration of all children and monitoring of numbers of children and refugees receiving services; • Ensure the quality of systems including Primero are up and running; • Support other programme activities related to child protection and integrated initiatives as required by the supervisor; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in the national and/or international level in child protection, cross-border initiative for the children or refugees, or other relevant programmes; experience with partnership relations is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; • Hub coordination or field experience in camps or NGOs would be an asset. Familiarity with Romanian legislations and government can help during the service; • Good oral and written skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in humanitarian response; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in child protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.