Child Protection Coordinator

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012 and currently operates in the south and north of the country through direct programming and local partnerships in various sectors, including 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. The Country Programme operates from main offices in Aden and Sana’a, and field offices in Abyan, Al Dhalee, and Al Hodeidah governorates.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the supervision of the Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator (SIPC), the Child Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, vision, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and quality delivery of the Child Protection programming in Yemen. He/she will ensure effective management of funding specific to child protection, monitoring and strengthening technical quality, coaching and mentoring project staff, and establishing and maintaining effective relationships/partnerships with relevant external actors. The Child Protection Coordinator will be based in Aden with frequent visits to the field sites in Aden, Abyan and Al Dhalee governorates. The Child Protection Coordinator will be the Yemen Country Programme focal point for all child protection related projects, meetings, workshops, and working groups, and will be supported by the Technical Advisor (TA) for Child Protection based at IRC Headquarters (HQ).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programme Development and Management

• Lead design and technical assessments to determine child protection needs and inform programme development accordingly;

• Ensure Child Participation and Client engagement in design and adaptation of Child Protection Interventions;

• Initiate, contribute to, and coordinate project proposals for the IRC Yemen Child Protection Programming in coordination with the Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator (SIPC) and in consultation and collaboration with the Child Protection team and Technical Advisors;

• Support preparations for donor meetings, share lessons learned in programming, emerging needs, and determine potential for new funding sources to improve child wellbeing and safety;

• Lead the child protection team to implement timely, effective, and relevant activities in line with identified needs, established objectives, and the programme workplan;

• Coordinate closely with the SIPC and grants department to ensure timely and effective grant management and compliance with donor requirements;

• Produce and utilize regularly updated programme management tools, including workplans, implementation plans, procurement plans, staffing plans, and accurate financial forecasts;

• Coordinate closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) department to develop effective monitoring tools and measure program outcomes;

• Ensure that all internal and external reports are submitted in a timely manner and to a high-quality standard.

• Identify potential for and coordinate research and learning activities in relation to child protection programming;

• Ensure that programming adheres to the IRC’s Outcome and Evidence Framework (OEF), and strengthen the use of evidence-based theories of change for activity design;

• Stay abreast of developments in the IRC Violence Prevention & Response Technical Unit and global working groups related to new tools and guidelines of relevance;

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

• Provide technical supervision of and technical support and guidance to IRC Yemen’s child protection programming in accordance with the IRC’s technical guidelines and global best practices;

• Ensure that all child protection activities are consistent with established relevant international and national best practices, in close collaboration with the HQ Child Protection TA;

• Provide direct support on thematic child protection areas through effective supervision and coaching of staff;

• Through meaningful community consultations, monitor evolving needs in the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities accordingly;

• Ensure regular follow-up on monitoring data relevant to the IRC child protection programming, and ensure design of activities, initiatives and programme are evidence-based;

• Represent the Yemen Child Protection sector in local and global technical presentations, meetings, conferences, etc.;

• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to improve IRC programming for children and families.

Staff Management and Development

• Assess and build the capacity of the child protection team through mentoring, coaching and implementation of capacity building plans as required to ensure an effective and timely implementation of programmes;

• Regularly identify and assess capacity strengths of the team and promote cross-team learning and growth;

• Oversee the timely recruitment, comprehensive onboarding, and the sustained professional growth of team members.

• Ensure all team members are well-versed in job expectations and have clear performance objectives. Conduct regular management meetings with all direct reports and ensure the same is done throughout the team management structure;

• Ensure the child protection teams understands and strictly follows IRC HR policies, including the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Code of Conduct, as well as donor policies and procedures;

• Ensure regular performance monitoring of staff to achieve the programme’s objectives, including Performance Management System documentation and follow-up;

• Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC generally and child protection programming specifically when and where required;

• Promote and monitor staff care and wellbeing.

Coordination, Representation and Advocacy

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all governmental and non-State stakeholders of relevance - including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community-based organisations and other IRC sectors to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination;

• Ensure consistent IRC representation in the Protection Cluster and Child Protection Sub-Cluster and technical working group meetings;

• Oversee regular communication, negotiations, and engagement with partners, governmental and non-State actors in target locations across Yemen;

• Ensure that relevant information from coordination meetings is shared internally and with other sectors as relevant;

• Contribute to advocacy efforts at the national, regional or international level to bring attention to the needs and voices of children affected by the conflict in Yemen

• Ensure Child Protection risk mitigation activities are incorporated into other sectors and humanitarian activities, through trainings, advocacy and other mentoring or support in coordination with the supervisor;

• Represent the IRC to UN, international and national NGOs, Ministries, and key child protection actors;

• Work closely with field managers and the humanitarian access & security team to ensure concerns and challenges at the service delivery level are addressed appropriately;

• Proactively collaborate with other IRC sector technical leads, within the protection sector as well as with other sectors, to promote programme integration and ensure effective internal referrals.

• In coordination with SIPC, Deputy Director of Programmes (DDP) and relevant coordination mechanisms, identify opportunities for advocacy on issues related to child protection.

Other

• Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor to further strengthen IRC child protection programming in Yemen.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

• Advance degree in Child Protection or Child Rights, Social work, Child/Adolescent Development or Psychology or other relevant discipline;

• At least 5 years of professional experience in Child Protection programming, preferably in an emergency context;

• In-depth understanding of Child Protection international standards, and prevention and response strategies and ability to apply these to the context of Yemen;

• Demonstrated experience in Child Protection programme start up, including recruiting and building the capacity of a new team, preferably in emergency contexts;

• Demonstrated experience in programme design, implementation and monitoring, including experience in developing and monitoring budgets, work plans and other program management tools;

• Demonstrated experience facilitating learning sessions and workshops on Child Protection;

• Experience in working collaboratively and/or advocating with other sectors and teams to promote gender equality and prioritize needs of women and girls;

• Demonstrated team management skills with medium or large-size teams. Experience with remote team management is a plus;

• Demonstrated coordination, networking and relationship building skills with key partners including government, donors, INGOs, national and local organizations, UN agencies;

• Experience in complex emergencies and conflict-affected settings strongly preferred;

• Good interpersonal and team building skills and knowledge of participatory approaches;

• Fluency in English. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Working knowledge of Arabic strongly preferred;

• Willingness to travel in remote and conflict affected areas.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints;

• Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously;

• Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt programmes and pivot approaches in response to changes in context;

• Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment;

• Ability to work under pressure;

• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual;

• Ability to effectively work both independently and as part of a team.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Position Reports to: Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator

• Position directly supervises: Child Protection Senior Managers and Senior Officers

• Other internal contacts: Women Protection and Empowerment, Protection and Rule of Law, Grants, MEAL, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, and other programme coordinators.

• Liaise with the Child Protection Technical Advisor on a regular basis

• External contacts: Protection Cluster, Child Protection Sub-Cluster, peer and partner agencies.

Standards of Professional Conduct: 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, and Anti-Retaliation.

Work Environment: There is active conflict in parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states. The situation in Aden remains unpredictable. Security will be thoroughly discussed during the interview process.

Housing: Lodging in Aden is in shared IRC guesthouses. All IRC sites have electricity and internet all day through. Food is the individual’s responsibility

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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