Project Manager (Child Protection)

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. In response to the arrival of refugees in Greece in 2015, the IRC has been offering SMS, WASH and Protection services. Among others, through its child protection programs, the IRC has been offering individual support through case management to vulnerable children and their families, non-formal educational activities for children through Safe Healing and Learning Spaces and emergency accommodation and protection to unaccompanied children (through safe zones). 

Currently, IRC Hellas is implementing the following projects; Supported Independent Living (SIL) apartments for UAC, 16 to 17 years old, a capacity building project for educators in partnership with other organizations, and a child protection program in Lesvos that includes case management for vulnerable children and their families, safe spaces for children and a mother baby corner.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall implementation of two child protection projects, a Supported Independent Living project and a capacity building project for educators. S/he will be responsible for ensuring that all children and beneficiaries of services are safe and offered with a range of quality services and develop their skills and that the staff receive coaching, supervision and trainings. S/he will lead all phases of the project management cycle; S/he will be responsible for ensuring that project activities and spending are on track and according to the workplan, that objectives are met and that all data are captured and analysed appropriately. S/he will be ensuring that all staff have clear roles and responsibilities and that they follow their schedule of activities and respect their shifts, and advising and guiding them in emergency situations, in cooperation with other key staff members.

The position reports to the Child Protection Senior Manager.

Position objectives:

●To ensure that the child protection projects are implemented according to international standards, best practices and donor requirements;

●To ensure that daily field activities are performed according to the set workplans;

●To ensure that all staff working in the CP programs are able to perform their duties and receive coaching and supervision;

●To provide overall technical and administrative guidance to the Child Protection teams;

●To provide guidance to the staff in emergency situations;

●To coordinate with other child protection agencies and actors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical Quality

●Provide technical support to two child protection projects and ensure that all program activities are carried out in accordance with best practices and IRC policies;

●Provide technical support to the staff and further guidance to all team members in cases of emergency;

●Ensure regular communication with the Child Protection Senior Manager and Child Protection Technical Advisor to integrate appropriate technical priorities in program design, in order to provide updates on achievements and challenges;

Staff Supervision & Development

●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;

●Provide bi-weekly and/or monthly group supervision sessions to field staff;

●Provide weekly one on one support to direct reports;

●Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews;

●Undertake the recruitment of Child Protection staff, according to IRC HR policies and procedures;

●Ensure training, support and ongoing capacity building opportunities for staff on technical and project management skills;

●Conduct trainings to CP and other staff members of other departments to sensitize on CP issues and build capacity across programs.

Grant Planning & Implementation

●Responsible for the overall achievement of two CP grants;

●Support implementation and ensure adherence to grant work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans;

●Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely program activities and expenditures; including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings.

Grant Monitoring & Reporting

●Develop and maintain effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes of child protection programs;

●Ensure weekly field monitoring and modifications as required;

●Monitor and consolidate information collected from weekly and staff activity reports;

●Draft donor reports as required;

●Ensure high-quality and timely IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements.

Partner Management

●Develop and maintain effective working relationships with partners;

●Ensure regular performance monitoring of partners to achieve the set project’s objectives;

●Ensure regular technical support and guidance to partners in accordance with partnership agreements;

●Advocate with peer agencies, government and other stakeholders to promote timely and quality care for children.

Representation – External & Internal Coordination

●Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors;

●Regularly attend CP sub-working group meetings and task forces at appropriate levels to contribute to coordination across agencies and sites;

●Participate in internal meetings and coordinate with other programs. 

Program Development

●Contribute to the development of the CP sector strategic direction for responding to children harmed and at risk of being harmed;

●Contribute to proposal development activities (narrative and budget) through planning and program design with relevant field-based staff and ensure technical standards are taken into consideration;

●Coordinate with other IRC sectors to receive and provide input and support regarding responses for children harmed and at risk of being harmed.

Monitoring and Evaluation

●Develop and maintain effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes;

●Ensure appropriate M&E tools are in place and are effectively used for the monitoring and evaluation of the activities;

●Perform case audits and client satisfaction surveys to ensure the quality of the activities offered;

●Manage staff that report into monitoring and evaluation systems in order to ensure data quality and timeliness in reporting;

●Monitor and consolidate information collected from weekly and staff activity reports;

●Ensure high-quality programming according to international minimum standards and best practices;

●Support data analysis and information dissemination to the appropriate coordinating mechanisms, field teams, beneficiaries and IRC implementing teams accordingly.

Other

●Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with relevant 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.