Child Protection Officer – SHLS

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND:

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through a local partnership in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment. These sectors are responding to food insecurity, cholera and other humanitarian needs within the displaced and conflict affected populations

Job Overview/Summary:The Child Protection Officer (SHLS) will support the establishment of the SHLS in Abyan; plan trainings for SHLS Facilitators, youth and community members; and conduct support and supervision visits for the SHLS and verify records and reports from SHLS staff. This position reports into the Child Protection Manager.

Main Responsibilities:

• To provide training for facilitators; monitor, support and supervise the SHLS and implement field activities in relation to the SHLS incl. building community relationships
• To liaise and coordinate with other stakeholders (other IRC sectors or service providers) to ensure activities in the SHLS meets the needs of affected communities
• Implement Families Make the Difference (FMD) approach; identify beneficiaries for the FMD program and implement all the sessions included in the relevant curriculum; build relationships with the local community to ensure community acceptance
• Identify beneficiaries for the FMD program; facilitate FMD training sessions to prevent and decrease violence in the home against children
• Work closely with case workers from the case management program as part of their referral pathway
• Implement the FMD training sessions following carefully the instructions in the manual

Programme Quality

• Provide daily guidance on SHLS activities to the SHLS Facilitators in accordance with the standard tools and procedures
• Complete supervision visits to the SHLS and structured observations of SHLS and Facilitators and write brief reports and updates to the CP Manager
• Ensure there is regular review and interaction with community members
• Ensure that records of children and Facilitators attendance are accurately recorded and reported
• Hold weekly review meetings with the SHLS team; review comments received in the Suggestion Box
• Ensure proper documentation of pre/post tests for Facilitators in assigned SHLS trainings
• Ensure regular communication with the CP Manager and CP Coordinator for updates on achievements and challenges

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise SHLS Facilitators
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Assist with the recruitment of SHLS Facilitators in coordination with community representatives and the CP Manager
• Ensure support and ongoing capacity building opportunities for SHLS Facilitators on technical skills; communicate with CP Manager regarding capacity building needs

Implementation

• Supports implementation and adherence to work plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.

Reporting

• Support regular field monitoring and modifications as required.
• Provide weekly and staff activity reports

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety of field teams; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Professional Standards

• All IRC staff are required to adhere to The IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Child Protection Manager

Technical Focal Point: Child Protection Manager
Position directly supervises:SHLS Facilitators (x6)

Internal contacts: Supply chain department, HR, M&E team

Professional Standards

•Technical diploma or degree in social work, education, human rights, or related degree desired

•At least 2 years’ experience of implementing child protection programs, preferable social work or education, in humanitarian or development settings

•Previous experience supervising and coordinating a team preferred

•Demonstrated understanding of working with children and particularly vulnerable children

•Previous experience in capacity building and mentoring of staff preferred

·Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well.

·Fluency in Arabic

·Written and spoken English is an advantage

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Location:The position is based in Abyan, Yemen.