Child Protection Officer (Sennar)-Save the Children

Job Description

Job Identification	4711
Section/Unit	Protection
Supervisor	Child Protection Coordinator
Duty Station	Sennar
Closing Date	19 Dec 2023

Background

Under the direction guidance of the Child Protection Coordinator, the Child Protection Officer is responsible for providing technical and operational leadership to the Child Protection (CP) programs with an emphasis on Psychosocial activities to children and community-based protection mechanisms, and s/he is responsible for the daily activities in the program areas. 

The CP officer is expected to ensure good quality child protection implementation in all technical aspects of the programs, quality of staff, and cooperation with the affected community and other partners; actively participate in the coordination of CP-related activities in schools and CP-related facilities that provide services to children like Psychosocial Support activities for children, outreach work in the affected communities and ensures that our staff and volunteers are technically updated by providing training and coaching.

The CP Officer is responsible for the implementation of the Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding (CSG) policy in all activities within the CP programs and for making sure that activities are safe and inclusive, and that there is absolutely zero tolerance for corporal punishment or aggression from staff, volunteers, guards or other staff, directed to children. The CP Officer is responsible for taking disciplinary actions and following the reporting procedures in case of any breach of Save the Children’s CSG policy.

 In the event of a significant humanitarian emergency, the post-holder will be expected to work outside their normal job description; vary their working hours; and occasionally work from a different location should the need arise.

 Duties and responsibilities:

• Promote the use of the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS) in all aspects of the work and lead on the contextualization and implementation of the CPMS in both CP programming and across other sectors.
• Work closely with case management, education, and nutrition sectors to integrate child protection with school systems and other programs to maximize impact for school retention and a quality learning environment.
• Provide technical input and deliver (or support the delivery of) activities in the area of child and family-focused protection, psychosocial support, community child protection mechanisms, and child protection monitoring and ensure that Child Protection programs are closely linked with other sectors, particularly education.
• Ensure that project activities are implemented in a manner that benefits the affected population, and meets the donor obligations and SCI’s policy, procedures, rules, and regulations as well as governmental regulations; Ensure that comprehensive service mapping and referral pathways are developed and up to date in each of the project locations and schools and is well coordinated with other actors and reviewed on regular basis.
• Together with the CP supervisors (CP assistants or community mobilizers) and the CP program Coordinator, develop detailed work plans and conduct regular progress reviews with the Child Protection team and partners to ensure the project is implemented as per agreed work plans.
• Work closely with the Case Management officer and information management to ensure that the two teams complement each other, that the referral mechanisms and data management work of at-risk children are managed in a quality manner and the needs identified are responded to appropriately.
• Coordinate and contribute to a community-based child protection system, make sure that a clear ToR is developed, updated, and followed, and that the CBCPC groups are receiving appropriate capacity building, support, and coaching.
• Prepare financial and administrative documentation related to project activities, such as purchase and procurement requests, and ensure that reports, monitoring, evaluation, and activity progress are collected accurately and regularly.
• Collect and compile weekly, monthly, progress and other reports from the Child Protection Supervisors/ Community Mobilizers, as required, and regularly report to the Child Coordinator.

Human resource management

• Hold weekly planning and supervision/ evaluation meetings with the CP Supervisors/ Community Mobilizers and case management team to ensure that plans are followed, and activities implemented according to standard operating procedures and quality benchmarks. 
• Responsible for mentoring, coaching, and capacity building of the staff under her/his responsibility. 
• The CP Officer provides hands-on coaching and support to staff and community incentive workers and spends at least 20% of her/his time in the program implementation sites.
• Follow up staff attendance, leaves, and coverage during leave for the staff under her/his supervision. 
• Ensure regular feedback to the staff under her/his responsibility and appraisal process when needed.
• Support disciplinary measures application if needed.
• Identify capacity-building needs and opportunities within the child protection team, as well as other sectors, civil society and among partners. Facilitate the training as required.

Coordination and representation

• Actively participate and contribute to Child Protection Working Group meetings and Child Protection Committee meetings in case no CP coordinators attend. 
• Work closely with Implementing partners and community to develop and support child protection activities and ensure a close link to the local community to mobilize and improve community child protection mechanisms.  
• Ensure risks are appropriately managed, including financial, safety and security, programmatic and reputational, in consultation with relevant program staff,
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, ensure that culturally appropriate and child-friendly monitoring and complaint mechanisms are developed, implemented, and monitored.
• In agreement with the line manager, perform other required duties within reason (in line with your skills and experience).
• Inform the direct supervisor about any challenges, difficulties, and concerns in the implementation of activities or issues in the social context.
• Ensure a strict adherence to the principles of child protection and child safeguarding at all times, including respect for confidentiality and always acting in the best interests of the child.
• Comply with SCI policies and practices concerning child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities, and other relevant policies and procedures.

     In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, or if high-risk cases need urgent actions, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal job description and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Minimum Qualification, Skills, and Experience Required:

• At least two years of experience in managing projects, including supervision of staff. 
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, psychology, or another relevant field, or equivalent experience from working directly with children. 
• Experience and/or excellent understanding of child rights, child protection in emergencies, child and youth development, child and youth resilience and empowerment. 
• Demonstrates sensitivity to gender equality and GBV issues.
• Demonstrates ability and commitment toward diversity and inclusion.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills and capacity to maintain relations with government officials, community leaders, children, and youth.
• Proficiency in computer use including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles including rights-based approaches and child safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Strict adherence to humanitarian, Protection and GBV principles and standards, and SCI policies including the Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)
• Flexibility and willingness to change work practices and hours and spend time in the field, sometimes in difficult conditions and with limited resources, and with remote management.
• The successful candidates must know and understand the local context including child development in the context; relationship dynamics within the community; and cultural practices impacting child welfare.
• The ability to manage complex and diverse workloads and work with tight deadlines.
• Ability to contribute to a small, proactive team, motivating staff to work collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary.
• Good understanding of English and Arabic

How to Apply

Females are highly encouraged to apply.

Kindly apply through the below link. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for next steps. The closing date will be on 19/12/2023. Any application after this date will not be considered. All interviews will be done in the Save the Children office or remotely.

Disclaimer: Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents. SCI will be undertaking child safeguarding checks for all candidates. The selected candidate will be asked to provide a police check before signing the contract.