Child Protection Officer

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refuguees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Summary statement of responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the camp manager, the CP/ GBV manager and with technical support from the CP technical unit of Addis Ababa, the CP Officer of Shire Town, Shiraro, IDP sites around Shire, Shiraro and Mai Tsebri IDP sites will supervise, coordinate, and manage the child protection (CP) program in a professional manner. She /he will demonstrate technical capability and assist the CP staff to make sure the program is holistic, upholding according to standards, procedures and principles of CP. She/he will coordinate the various services available in the camp. The CP Officer will also mentor, coach, and build the technical capacities of CP team in the field.

Specific Responsibilities:

Program Planning Development and Implementation

• Undertake and ensure situational assessments, data collection, compiling and analyzing are to the required standard.
• Participate in the development of CP strategy, approaches and contribute actively in its revision, monitoring and improvement.
• Takes primary responsibility for the implementation and follow-up of CP program including development/update of relevant strategies, SOPs and referral pathways, case management, CP IMS, psychosocial support interventions and community-based support for at-risk children including unaccompanied/separated children.
• Ensure well-coordinated to address needs and cases concerning Unaccompanied/Separated children and youth living in the IDP site.
• Support program staff in the design and implementation of effective community mobilization and awareness raising strategies.
• Maintain standard, design and undertake diversified psychosocial support activities at the Safe Healing and Learning Space (SHLS).
• Facilitate and take a lead in the arrangement (establishment) of family based care system or appropriate care system and promote community based protection mechanisms, including developing of standard process of support including case planning, referral, follow up and review of case management.
• Provide training for CP staff, implementing partners, caregiver/families and the community and opinion leaders including children.
• Strengthen protection mechanisms through mobilizing and involving the community in reducing risks and harm of (abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect) against children in the IDP site, set up a mechanism of documentation and responding to the needs of identified, verified, and planned cases, as well as identify gaps and build the capacity of the community along with children to be able to support harmed and at risk children and their families including unaccompanied/ separated children and promote understanding among the community on the rights of children, and ensure their access to case management services available in the camp.
• Promote the capacity of children through the provision of social-emotional learning sessions.
• Work with the community and caregivers /parents through undertaking a positive parenting skills and ensure a positive parents and child communication skills.
• Responsible for planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring of the program in line with organizational and donors’ guidelines, policy and procedures.
• Follow-up, monitor and supervise the implementation of program activities based on the work plan, spending plan and ensure the proper utilization and tracking of budget and materials allocated to the program.

Program Liaison, Coordination and Networking

• Develop and maintain skillful and effective communication and working relationships with relevant partners including children, families, community leaders and other implementing partners.
• Represent the program in all partner meetings and communicate the outcomes with program staff.
• Coordinate, lead and facilitate regular monthly meetings with the community, children and implementing agencies and sectors including preparation of agenda and circulate the minutes of the child protection working groups (coordination body) meetings
• In collaboration with the CWI, health, education and Sanitation staff hold community awareness raising campaigns/ keep fit on child protection concerns
• Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of CP program implementation and follow up on agreed points.
• Collaborate with other Program Officers to ensure the integration of other (Education, Health, Sanitation and CWI) programs.
• Ensure accountability and collaborate with the Operations Sections to establish and maintain sound internal controls according to financial and supply management requirements.
• Mentor and support social workers and other child protection staff’ and develop a positive team spirit to encourage innovative and quality programming.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Initiate/ Participate in periodic program review meetings with partners and community members.
• Support the CP team in ensuring the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Child Protection program implementation, follow-up, review, and M&E.
• Regularly review and give feedback on the child protection program information management system and follow-up and report on the progress of the IA CP IMS.
• Prepares monthly progress, quarterly and annual implementation and donor reports and review budget required for child protection assistant coordinator in Addis Ababa and field coordinator and CYPD Manager in Assosa.

Key Working Relationships:

• The CP Officer will directly report to the Field Manager and the CP manager based in Shire with additional oversight from the Field Coordinator and technically to the Assistant Child Protection Coordinator based in Addis Ababa.