Programme Specialist (Digital Child Rights and Business – Unicef

Under the supervision of the Senior Adviser, Child Rights and Business, the Programme Specialist (Digital CRB) will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies, policies and programs that promote and protect the rights of children in the digital environment.

The position supports UNICEF National Committees, Regional, and Country Offices to engage industry, policy makers, and other stakeholders on the government duty to protect and business responsibility to respect children’s rights, specifically in the context the digital environment. The position works closely with relevant teams across UNICEF Divisions including PG/Child Protection, Office of Research, Office of Innovation and ICTD in developing evidence, policy guidance, technical support and capacity building as it relates to children’s rights in the digital environment.

The position will strengthen knowledge management and lead external stakeholder engagement, including for resource mobilization as relevant, including in support of CO programme implementation.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Deliver on existing commitments relevant to the CRB/Digital work plan, internally and externally.

Including but not limited to managing the ongoing Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) and disclosures project on child rights in the digital environment, Responsible Digital Marketing Project, the Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) project as well as oversee and ensure strategic roll-out of the UNICEF Interdivisional COP Framework, the ITU/UNICEF Training modules, and the B-Tech Paper on Child Rights. This also involves the provision of strategic, logistical and programmatic support to senior management and other UNICEF colleagues in relation to engagement with the tech industry, regulators and relevant business stakeholders.

Further programme integration and provide wider organizational support

Provide technical support to HQ Divisions, ROs, COs, National Committees and other HQ teams to further drive momentum on digital CRB and programme integration. This requires liaising and working closely with programme teams in HQ, ROs and COs to embed CRB approached in programme strategies and including advocacy messaging on child rights in the digital environment. This includes existing priority areas (e.g., digital CRB, CO model strategy on industry engagement) and advancing emerging themes (e.g. Generative AI, etc.), as relevant.

Facilitate internal capacity building and knowledge exchange.

Duties include coordinating regular information exchange and experience sharing meetings (e.g., CRB Digital Working Group); regularly liaising with ROs and relevant COs; responding to requests for technical support; and capturing case studies of impactful UNICEF programming, partnerships and advocacy work and initiatives at country-level.

Supports the positioning of UNICEF and child rights in relevant external agendas and events on business, human rights, and technology.

This involves engaging with relevant stakeholders including governments, regional bodies, decision makers, industry, foundations, civil society organisations in support of advancing child rights in the digital environment through research. publications, events, corporate benchmarks, reporting frameworks etc.

Support resource mobilization and strengthen UNICEF’s engagement with donors.

Drive content development, proposal writing and donor engagement (incl. follow-up) to support resource mobilization in support of digital CRB and programmatic work at CO-level. This requires working closely with relevant Natcom and HQ, ROs, and COs to develop tailored and targeted proposals, and engaging with relevant UNICEF colleagues before and during donor engagement.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (equivalent to a Master’s) from an accredited institution is required in social sciences, development, business, international law, human rights, child rights or another relevant technical field.
• Work Experience:
  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in business and human rights, children’s rights and business, sustainability or related area including at the international level.
• Skills (required):
  • A technical background in child rights or human rights approaches to business impact.
  • Demonstrated experience of leading and coordinating advocacy efforts.
  • Experience and demonstrable skills in producing, editing, and uploading online content.
  • Ability to work independently and to meet tight deadlines.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

The following desirables:

• Experience of UNICEF & UN.
• At least two years of experience with a focus on child rights or associated programming.
• Experience of advocating with industry platforms, investment institutions, governments and NGOs or within the corporate sector, including coordinating advocacy with others, would be additional assets.
• Experience of developing or implementing practical human rights reporting and due diligence mechanisms for children, especially for business.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.