Associate Child Protection Officer

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of Head of Field Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Individual child protection case work according to best interests procedures; conducting best interests assessments (BIA), best interests determinations (BID) and family tracing/reunification in accordance with relevant UNHCR protection standards and IASC guidance, ensuring appropriate case tracking and follow-up of child protection cases.
• Support staff and partners in the strengthening of a functioning Best Interests system: identification, assessment, referral, response and assistance, monitoring and documenting of cases of children at risk.
• Support the organization of and trainings in Best Interests Procedures and Child Protection.
• Contribute to effective child protection reporting and information management through the provision of disaggregated data on populations of concern and their problems.
• Contribute to the systematic application of participatory, community and rights-based approaches, ensuring that children, adolescents and youth are included (as appropriate) in participatory assessments and community-based protection initiatives.
• Contribute to capacity-building initiatives for communities, including children, adolescents and youth to assert their rights and to strengthen community-based child protection initiatives.
• Participate in the updating, implementation and monitoring of child protection related SOPs.
• Support the implementation of the child protection aspects of the (Country) Protection Strategy and programming in relation to individual case management but also participatory evaluations, setting up of alternative care arrangements, strengthening of child protection mechanisms and establishment of youth programming.
• Support other child protection activities and initiatives in coordination with colleagues in the operation.
• Contribute to the implementation of UNHCR framework for the protection of children, and specifically the child protection strategy in (Country).

Specifics to sub/field offices work if support is needed and requested:

• Support/establish working BID panel and best interests system in close collaboration with staff and partners.
• Follow-up and support on child protection cases and BID/BIA case management, including referrals for family tracing and response to specific needs.
• In collaboration with colleagues, promote and find durable solutions for children (and their families).
• Support participatory, AGD-sensitive analysis to form the essential basis for UNHCR’s work.
• Intervene with authorities on child protection issues.
• Contribute to national/sub-national (child) protection (including sectoral/cluster) strategies, project submissions and budgets.
• Support other Child Protection related activities.
• The UN volunteer will be part of the Protection team of UNHCR Field Office in Karongi and closely work with other colleagues as appropriate. He/she will support the implementation of the UNHCR Framework for the Protection of Children:
• Girls and boys are safe where they live, learn and play;
• Children’s participation and capacity are integral to their protection;
• Girls and boys have access to child-friendly procedures;
• Girls and boys obtain legal documentation;
• Girls and boys with specific needs receive targeted support
• Girls and boys achieve durable solutions in their best interest

Qualifications/Requirements Required degree level: Bachelor degree or equivalent Education - Additional Comments:

Type of Degree: University degree in Social Work, Social Science, International Refugee or Human Rights Law, Political Sciences or related areas.

Required experience: 24 Months Experience remark:

Minimum 2 years of work experience with refugees and/or other people of concern in a protection capacity, individual case work (managing interviews, conducting assessments, counselling, case advocacy and management, identifying solutions, etc.). International experience required.

Desirable Qualifications and Skills:

• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures;
• Knowledge / awareness of UNHCR’s Framework for the Protection of Children and Education and SGBV strategies;
• Knowledge of community communication and engagement approaches;
• Knowledge / awareness of cross cultural issues, especially in the context of child protection;
• Knowledge / awareness of gender issues and how to apply rights and community based approach to identify and respond to specific needs;
• Previous experience in child protection is a great advantage;
• Previous experience in working with communities;
• Skills in conducting trainings and exercises with large groups of people (e.g. trainings, participatory evaluations);
• Excellent drafting and analytical skills;
• Excellent interviewing and counselling skills;
• Ability to manage information, in a confidential manner, and to use database management systems;
• Ability to conduct individual and group assessments and to identify protection risks, to liaise with partners and pro-actively find solutions.

Computer skills: Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent

Area of expertise: Protection of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs Driving license: No Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Working in Teams