Introduction
UNICEF works with the Government of Ghana, civil society organizations, academia and private sector partners in advancing the social and economic development of children in the most disadvantaged communities and advocating for national policies and actions that enable the most disadvantaged to be engaged and protected. Violence against children compromises a child’s survival, protection and participation in activities critical to his/her development and achievement of full potential. It has adverse implications in the welfare and development of entire communities, and the country as a whole.
While the practice of child marriage has declined from about 40 per cent in 1980s to 19.3 per cent in 2017/2018, one in five girls is still married or in informal union (cohabitation) before the age of 18. Child marriage in Ghana often takes the form of an informal union (54 per cent).
The prevalence of marriage by the age 15 has stalled at 5 per cent over the last ten years, without any visible improvement. Recent estimates suggest that child marriage in Ghana is more common among those who reside in rural areas, live in poor households and have little or no education. The key drivers of child marriage are multiple and multi-faceted, including gender inequality, poverty, lack of educational opportunities, social and gender discriminatory norms, harmful cultural and traditional practices as well as adolescent pregnancy. Poor enforcement of legal frameworks along with inaccessible or ineffective social service delivery across education, sexual and reproductive health, social protection, child protection and justice sectors can further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of children and adolescents, especially adolescent girls, at risk of child marriage, thereby contributing to their social isolation, inequality, exclusion, denial of fulfilment of their capability and negative impacts on physical and psychological well-being.
Qualifications
- An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social sciences, gender, international development or another relevant field
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A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in conducting and leading studies, research and evaluations in relevant fields, such as gender, child marriage, child protection, GBV, SBC and adolescent programming
- Professional experience in conducting and leading a gender analysis
- In-depth knowledge of gender-transformative approach, including a gender-integrated spectrum
- Good understanding of social behaviour change
- Professional experience in Ghana and/or familiarity with the national context is considered an asset
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Ghana is an asset
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
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