Child Protection Coordinator

Bujumbura

Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
Location: Bujumbura
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Children's rights (health and protection)
- Protection Officer (Refugee)
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

The IRC opened its Burundi office in 1996, responding to the urgent needs of internally displaced people, focusing on water sanitation, environmental health programming, and protection for vulnerable children. With the end of the Burundian civil war in 2006 and the ensuing return of Burundian refugees, the IRC took a first step towards post conflict reconstruction programs. IRC Burundi is part of the Great Lakes region, composed of Burundi, CAR, DRC and Tanzania.

To date, IRC Burundi has had a vibrant post-conflict program encompassing prevention and response to Child Protection violations, Gender Based Violence and prevention, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) as well as Environmental health. At present there is a dynamic child protection program consisting of systems strengthening on de-institutionalization, prevention of separation of children from caregivers, strengthening community based Child Protection mechanisms, working directly with children and with parents/caregivers to improve protective environment for children. IRC closely collaborates with relevant Government Ministries as well as with other humanitarian and development actors. The IRC has its main office in Bujumbura, serving not only as headquarters but also the base for programs in Bujumbura Rural and Bujumbura Mairie. Field offices are located in Gitega, Muyinga and Ruyigi.

Job Overview/Summary

The CP Coordinator provides overall strategic direction and vision for IRC’s Child Protection interventions in Burundi. The coordinator will be directly responsible for managing an EU-funded Child Protection project on de-institutionalization and supervise management of other projects. The coordinator should keep abreast with emerging standard methodologies and provide leadership or contribution to inter-agency initiatives at country level. The position also serves as a representative of the Child Protection program at various levels including the national and local government, international/local NGO partners, UN organizations and other strategic partnerships. The position reports to the Deputy Director in charge of Programs (DDP).

Major Responsibilities

1.Technical Quality & Program Strategy Development

•Support implementation/revision of Child Protection strategy in line with the country Strategic Action Plan (SAP)

•Ensure project implementation team have the technical capacity and skills and tools to implement the projects

•Lead in business development, and assessing potential programme growth based on context analysis and emerging needs and opportunities.

•Provide technical and management support to all Child Protection programming in Burundi in accordance with technical standard methodology and IRC policy

•Assess the appropriateness of different programming options, additions, adaptation and ensure implementation modalities best respond the needs and context

•Collaborate closely with Child Protection technical advisor and periodically with other relevant units including ERD and Education to ensure relevant support, tools and resources are utilised in programme development and implementation.

•At country level, work closely with ERD Coordinator for the implementation of the UMMU Project to ensure overall child well-being outcomes.

2. Representation & Partnership

•Form and maintain positive relationships with relevant Ministry officials, maintaining the IRC as a key actor in child protection interventions and advocacy at the national level

•Develop, maintain and/or initiate partnerships with community based organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and government ministries to support Child Protection interventions and assess Education opportunities. Represent the IRC at program-related coordination meetings, ensuring accurate dissemination of information among relevant partners

•Support key staff to establish and/or maintain coordination mechanisms at provincial level; support transfer of these responsibilities to relevant government bodies

3. Program Management and Business Development

•Overall responsibility on Child Protection programme management and implementation, with a focus on the UMMU project.

•Collaborate with M&E Coordinator to maintain a monitoring and evaluation plan, including the detailed collection, analysis and use of data

•Ensure the logical framework guides the implementation of the projects

•Review data from implementation and use this to advise any required changes or adaptations

•Develop harmonies with other programming areas as well as coordinate with various technical support units to ensure quality programming

4. HR Management

•Lead the Child Protection team and directly supervise and support project managers

•Participate in recruiting, training and mentorship of Child Protection staff

•Ensure that the team has regular performance evaluations and receive ongoing feedback and support

•Develop a capacity-building plan for Child Protection staff and actively seek out formal and informal training opportunities for staff

•Ensure Child Protection staff and partners understand and respect the IRC Way regarding sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment and financial misappropriation and IRC Child Safeguarding Policy

5. Budget, Administrative and Grants Management

•Ensure Child Protection grants are implemented according to donor regulations and guidelines

•Review Budget vs. Actual (BvA) reports and make vital adjustments; coordinate development of spending plans

•In collaboration with the M&E team, supervise the development of relevant M&E systems and indicator progress

•Work with Grants & Partnership Coordinator to ensure donor compliance, high quality IRC and donor reports

Other

•Consistently and proactively uphold IRC core values including on Gender, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.

Job Requirements

Work Experience

•At least ten years’ experience in Child Protection, especially in development, protracted or post-emergency settings

•Essential: Experience in Alternative care and De-institutionalisation. Candidates without experience in alternative care will not be shortlisted.

•Personnel management experience, including technical capacity development and team building

•Prior experience working with duty bearers or institutions on policy development and/or strategy development and roll out is highly desirable

•Proven experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation of programming

Proven Skills and Proficiencies

•Technical skills in child protection programming; specifically prevention and response to family separation (core), case management approach (core), understanding of best interest procedures (crucial) and community based protection approaches.

•Demonstrated experience, knowledge and application of the Guidelines on the alternative care of children

•Experience in partnerships, including transition from direct service delivery to working with duty bearers and local actors (government ministries, civil society organizations, etc.)

•Demonstrated experience mainstreaming economic wellbeing/recovery into child protection programming with a good understanding of economic recovery standards for child protection.

•Ability to work well both within a team and independently in a sophisticated, multi-sectorial environment

•Capability of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others

•Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties

•Strong communication and inter-personal skills

•Proven strong report and proposal writing skills

•Experience in staff self-care and coaching

•Willingness and ability to spend 50% time in field sites

•Qualified female & Nationals with the required profile and experience are encouraged to apply.

Language Skills

•Ability to speak, read and write French and English

•Ability to speak Kirundi/ and/or Swahili a plus

Working Environment and Security Situation

•The Child Protection Coordinator will be based in Bujumbura.

•Shared housing and a vehicle (after office hours and based on availability) are provided by IRC.

•The position requires significant travel to field sites. Accommodation is provided by IRC in the field.

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, Accountability and Equality. 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.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality: IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. IRC is also 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

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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