Appendix A: Example Force Commander’s Child Protection Directive Template

MISSION
LOCATION

DATE
HQ REFERENCE

FORCE COMMANDER’S CHILD PROTECTION DIRECTIVE: XX/YEAR
THE MILITARY COMPONENT AND CHILD PROTECTION

References:

Some example references include the 2017 DPKO-DFS-DPA Policy on Child Protection in United Nations Peace Operations; Mission Child Protection Strategy; Mission Protection of Civilians (POC) Strategy; Mission Child Protection Directives; Mission Policy on Child Labour, detention; Existing Force Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); etc.

GENERAL

1. Situation: Insert information on the nature of the conflict as it relates to children, and the mission wide responsibility to protect children.
2. Mandate: (1) Reference the 2017 DPKO-DFS-DPA Policy on Child Protection in United Nations Peace Operations (paras. 20-20.4); (2) The mission has been directed by Security Council (UN Security Council resolution XXXX) to protect children. This is a “whole of mission commitment” and the military component has a key part to play; (3) The Child Protection Policy stipulates that the Senior Child Protection Advisor is the principal interface and intermediary between mission XX and external partners on Child Protection concerns, as well as the lead adviser on mandate implementation in the mission. The Policy provides that the Senior Child Protection Advisor should be coordinated and consulted with in implementing the children and armed conflict mandate.
3. Aim: The aim of this directive is to provide direction on how force headquarters (FHQ), Brigades/Sectors, units, and Military Observers are to contribute to the protection of children.
4. Scope: The Directive covers the following areas:

CRITICAL INFORMATION

5. Definition of a child: Insert information.
6. Six grave violations: Insert information.
7. Guiding principles: Insert information.
8. Mission senior child protection advisor: Insert information.
9. EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY: PLAN-ACT-ALERT-PROTECT: Insert information.
   1. PLAN;
   2. ACT;
   3. ALERT/REPORT;
   4. PROTECT.

MILITARY CHILD PROTECTION CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS AND FOCAL POINT SYSTEM

10. General: Insert how the Force child protection concept of operations supports the mission concept for Child Protection.

Formation: The Focal Point System: Insert an explanatory paragraph setting out the hierarchy of focal points. Focal points support the Commander, who retains responsibility of mandate implementation.

11. Force HQ Child Protection Focal Point.
12. Sector Child Protection Focal Points.
13. Unit Child Protection Focal Points. (cover units subordinate to Sectors and also force troops)
14. UN Military Observer Child Protection Focal Points.

SPECIFIC ROLES DURING MILITARY OPERATIONS

15. Staff Functions. (Force HQ and Sector HQ)
    1. (G/U #) U2 (Situational Awareness)
    2. (G/U #) Operations
    3. (G/U#) Logistics
    4. (G/U #) Planning
    5. (G/U#) Communications
    6. (G/U #) Training
    7. (G/U #) Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC)
    8. (G/U #) Engineering
    9. Force Medical Office
    10. Military Police
    11. Military Public Information Office
16. UN Military Observers (UNMO).
17. Female Engagement Teams (FET).
18. Liaison Officers to Host Government Military Forces.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

19. Information inserted here is to be determined based on mission specificities.
20. Refer to Soldier Card.

CHILD PROTECTION AND CIMIC OUTREACH

21. Information inserted here is to be determined based on mission specificities.
22. Insert paragraph on the mission-specific outreach required, for example: “Consider the situation of children in respective area of responsibility (AOR) when planning actions to benefit the local population. Such actions shall include improvement of education, health, and basic services such as the provision of clean water and lights in places where children are active. Military quick impact projects (QIPS) should take into account children’s interests and concerns in consultation with Child Protection Advisors.”

CHILD LABOUR

23. Information inserted here is to be determined based on mission specificities.
24. Insert paragraph on the mission-specific prohibition of child labor, for example: “Use of children (persons under the age of 18 years) for the purpose of labor, small errands or other rendering of services is strictly prohibited.”

DETENTION PROCEDURES

25. Insert paragraph on the mission-specific detention procedures relating to children, for example: “Detention procedures for children will follow the mission’s SOP on Detention and Handover to police and military (insert date).”

TRAINING

26. Insert guidance on frequency and type of training, for example: “Training on this Directive and the Force’s Child Protection mandate implementation will be conducted to incoming contingents biannually, or with each incoming rotation at force headquarters (FHQ), before officer deployment to the sectors. (see training schedule at Annex X).”

IMPLEMENTATION

27. Timings: This Force Commander’s Child Protection Directive is effective as of the date of signature. All Sector, contingent, battalion, company, permanent operating base and temporary operating base (POB/TOB) Commanders are to implement these measures upon issuance.
28. Seminar: The FHQ military Child Protection Focal Points shall organize a series of meetings to launch implementation with all military branch offices and Focal Points throughout the mission.

EVALUATION

29. Insert guidance on points of contact for and frequency of evaluation, for example: “Proposed amendments are to be suggested to the points of contact listed below. Evaluations will be conducted quarterly (see Annex X on evaluation type and schedule). This Directive is reviewed annually.”

POINTS OF CONTACT

FHQ Child Protection Focal Point Name

• Name
• Telephone
• Email

Mission Senior Child Protection Adviser

• Mission HQ and regional offices

Signature block

ANNEXES:

Possible Annexes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Annex A Key definitions
• Annex B Legal principles
• Annex C Examples of when action to protect children should be taken
• Annex D Responsibilities of Child Protection Focal Points
• Annex E Alert system and flow chart for the reporting of issues concerning the protection of children
• Annex F Soldier card on the protection of children
• Annex G CIMIC/Outreach
• Annex H Direction on child labour
• Annex I Direction on the detention of children
• Annex J Additional references (UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), international laws and conventions, etc.)

DISTRIBUTION:

• Internal:
• Action:
• Information:
• External: