Child Protection Officer

Role Purpose:

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 a emphasis on Psychosocial activites 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 ensures 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 activites for childten, outreach work in the affected communities and ensures that our staff and volunteers are technical updated by providing training and coaching.

The CP Officer is responsible for the implementation of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding (CSG) policy in all activites within the CP programs and make sure that activities are safe and inclusive, ant 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.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITY: 

Program management and technical supervision 

• Promote the use of the Minimum Standards for Child Proteciton in Humanitarean 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 programmes in order to maximize impact for school rention and quality learning environment.
• Provide technical input and deliver (or support the delivery of) activities in the area 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 benefit 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 programme Coordinator, develop detailed workplans and conduct regular progress review with the Child Protection team and partners to ensure project is implemented as per agreed work plans;
• Work closely with the Case Management Oficer and information management to ensure that the two teams are complement each other, that the referrals mechanisms and data management work of at risk children is managed in qualiy manner and the needs identified are responded to appropriately.
• Coordinate and contribute to community-based child protection system, make sure that a clear ToR is developed, updated and followed, and 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 is collected accurately and on a regular basis.
• 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 trainings as required

Coordination And Representation

• Actively participate and contribute to Child Protection Working Group metings and Child protection committee meeting in case of no CP coordinators to attend 
• Work closely with Implementing partner and community to develop and support the child protection activities and ensure a close link to the local community to mobilizing and improve community child protection mechanisms

Other

• Ensure risks are appropriately managed, including financial, safety and security, programmatic and reputational, in consultation with relevant programme 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 line manager, perform other required duties within reason (in line with your skills and experience).
• In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, or if high-risk cases needs urgent actions, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal job description and be able to vary working hours accordingly.
• 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 with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

Qualifications And Experience

• 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 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 on child welfare.
• The ability to manage complex and diverse workload and work with tight deadlines
• Ability to contribute to a small, proactive team, motivating staff and working collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary.
• Good understanding of English and Arabic

Additional Job Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the postholder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonexpected of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

• The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for the positions; while those who may not meet the formal education requirements, but showing a good understanding of gender dynamics, including gender-based violence may be considered for the role.

Child Safeguarding:

Save the Children is committed to ensuring that all children who have contact with the organization are safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from child abuse and sexual exploitation. This commitment is implemented through the organization’s Child Safeguarding Policy, which includes mandatory requirements that apply to everyone in all aspects of Save the Children’s work. It applies equally to all children irrespective of their gender, disability, ethnicity, sexuality, marital status or religion.

Health And Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.