Child Protection Officer

Child Protection Officer

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MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). SCR 2277 (2016) requests MONUSCO to support efforts of the Government of DRC towards the protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups and of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; and to support Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions. The project aims at a better understanding of the most serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law in DRC and supports the leadership of the Mission through informed policy and decision making on future vetting of security forces through risk assessment and mitigation, joint planning for MONUSCO operations, as well as advocacy efforts.

The UN Volunteer will serve within the MONUSCO Child Protection Section, which is responsible for monitoring, documenting, and reporting child protection concerns, including grave violations against children. The section works closely with partner organizations, state services, and UN agencies—particularly UNICEF and other members of the Country Task Force on the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM)—to ensure accurate, timely, and ethical reporting that informs child protection interventions and advocacy in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This assignment supports the implementation of the Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) mandate, which aims to strengthen child protection systems, enhance collaboration with the DRC Government on the implementation of the Action Plan to Prevent and End the Recruitment of Children and other grave violations, and ensure the effective functioning of the Joint UN–DRC Government Technical Working Group (JTWG) on children and armed conflict at the national level. The UNV role contributes to MONUSCO’s broader child protection objectives and aligns with its global objective to promote the safety, rights, and well‑being of children affected by conflict.

Under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Team Leader, the UNV Child Protection Officer will undertake the following tasks:

Mainstreaming Child Protection within mission components:
• Support the mainstreaming of Child Protection into all aspects, activities, strategies, policies and training programs of MONUSCO
• Work directly with other MONUSCO components, including the UN Police, Military Liaison Officers, Human Rights, DDRRS, ROLSI, etc. to integrate a child-conscious approach into the overall work of the mission,
• Provide training on child rights and child protection to military, police and civilian staff of the mission.

Advocacy and Co-ordination:
• Work collaboratively with the DRC national Government on the implementation of the Action Plan to Prevent and End the Recruitment of Children and other grave violations and ensure the effective functioning of the Joint UN–DRC Technical Working Group (JTWG) on children and armed conflict.
• Participate and contribute inputs into the Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) as well as other co-ordination mechanisms, including national counterparts and UN Agencies;
• Liaison with relevant national counterparts, civil society organizations, UN/Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) actors and other relevant child protection actors in ensuring adequate response to violations committed against children.

Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM):
• Participate in the implementation of the MRM as per the provision of UN SCR 1612 (2005);
• Undertake field missions to verify allegations on child rights violations;
• Ensure timely delivery of a variety of reports, briefing notes, talking points and any other communications in compliance with the Section mandate.

Perform other related duties as may be required.

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Child Protection Officer

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