Stretch Assignment: Child Protection Specialist, NO3/P3 – Kigali, Rwanda (On site)

Title: Child Protection Specialist

Level: NO3/P3 – we encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply

Reports to: Child Protection Specialist

Duration: 3 months (October – December 2026) & (January – March 2027)

Section: Child Protection Section, Programme/Rwanda CO

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.

Background

UNICEF Rwanda is based in Kigali and is committed to realizing the rights of every child, with particular attention to children who are vulnerable, excluded or at risk.

Under the 2025-2029 Country Programme, the Child Protection programme supports national systems to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect and family separation, and to ensure that children receive timely, coordinated and sustainable protection services.

The stretch assignment will reinforce programme management and implementation during a period of intensive delivery. It will support strengthened and digitized case management; a sustainable frontline child protection workforce; family-based care for children outside parental care, including children with disabilities; prevention and response to offline and online violence; emergency preparedness; positive parenting; and monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management.

Purpose of the Position

The incoming staff members will support the management, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the Child Protection programme, providing technical and operational support to government and civil society partners and contributing to concrete, sustainable results for children.

Key expected results

1. Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
2. Technical and operational support to the Government of Rwanda and partners

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

• An advanced university degree in international development, human rights, psychology, sociology, international law, or another relevant social science field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in social development planning and management in child protection-related areas.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, another official UN language, or a local language is an asset.

Funding arrangement

This is a temporary development assignment. The current post and grade of the incoming staff member will not change, and no additional payments will be made other than those related to travel.

Applications

To be eligible to apply, candidates must have:

• An existing Fixed-Term, Permanent or Continuing appointment within UNICEF that runs through the full six-month assignment.
• Written agreement from their supervisor to be released and precise the duration of the stretch assignment October – December 2026 or January – March 2027.
• Approval from the Head of Office is mandatory.