Child Protection Officer

Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide technical support in child protection and mental health.

You have:

• A minimum qualification of a Social Science degree preferably Social Work or Psychology Degree.
• Specialized training in Child Protection case management, SGBV survivor centered response, and PFA/MHPSS.
• 3+ years managing integrated CP/SGBV programming at community and health facility levels.
• Proven experience establishing and managing referral pathways and case management systems (preferably CPIMS+ or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience setting up CFS/Children’s Corners and delivering PSS/SEL activities.
• Experience coordinating with social development, health, police, legal aid, and shelters.
• Good interpersonal and advocacy skills and ability to network.
• Excellent research and report writing skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Shona, Tonga and Ndebele.

The Organization We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday · All children learn from a quality basic education and that, · Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information: Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Technical Leadership & Capacity Strengthening Provide technical support, capacity building and guidance on CPHA and MHPSS activities (direct and partner implementation), including but not limited to: a) Child protection case management (intake, assessment, case planning, implementation, referrals, follow up, case closure). b) Psychological First Aid (PFA) and safe, survivor centred response for children and adults. c) Safe identification and referral of child protection cases d) Deliver on-the-job coaching, structured trainings, and reflective practice sessions; develop SoPs, quick reference guides, and job aids. e) Ensure adherence to minimum standards, ethical documentation, informed consent/assent, safe information sharing, and confidentiality.

2. Safe & Inclusive Referral Pathways Support the strengthening of safe and inclusive referral pathways in Binga and Gokwe North. Working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders the role will:- a) Map, update, and disseminate multi-sectoral referral pathways linking social development, health (incl. MHPSS), police, legal aid, and safe shelter services at community, facility, and district levels. b) Operationalize referral and counter referral protocols, service directories, and feedback loops; ensure age , gender , and disability inclusive access. c) Support case conferencing and coordination with statutory actors and specialized services.

3) Integrated CPHA, SGBV, MHPSS and Nutrition Mechanisms The role will strengthen the integration of CPHA, SGBV and Nutrition mechanisms as follows: a) Design and operationalize integrated referral mechanisms linking nutrition services (e.g. screening, IYCF, CMAM) with CP and SGBV response. b) Train nutrition/health and CP/SGBV teams on bidirectional identification, safe disclosure, and safe handovers. c) Track integration outcomes (timeliness, completion rates, and service uptake) and optimize pathways.

4) Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) in the targeted districts The role will support the establishment and functioning of child-friendly spaces within the two targeted districts providing: a) Safe, structured, age-appropriate activities. b) Basic PFA, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Psychosocial Support (PSS) for emotionally distressed children. c) Ensure inclusion, safeguarding, accessibility, and quality control (activity schedules, facilitator ratios, child safeguarding standards, feedback mechanisms).

5) Lead Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT G) session with targeted populations a) Plan and deliver 8-session IPT G cycles targeting lactating mothers, teen mothers, and adolescent SGBV survivors. b) Working with health officials and DSD, identify, train, and supervise IPT G facilitators; monitor attendance, fidelity, and wellbeing outcomes; ensure safe and confidential locations with referral back up.

6) Child Protection Case Management a) Support DSD provide comprehensive case management for girls and boys at risk or experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect including those affected by drought and climate shocks identified during screening. b) Ensure best interest procedures, safe case documentation, and secure data storage (e.g., case files/CPIMS+ where applicable). c) Coordinate with statutory service providers for urgent protection and life saving interventions.

7) Complaints & Feedback Response Mechanisms (CFRM) The role will collaborate with MEAL to: a) Operationalize and manage CFRM at community and facility levels, ensuring multiple safe access channels (including for PSEAH) b) Ensure timely logging, classification, referrals, resolution, and feedback to complainants per policy. c) Analyze trends and use findings to improve program quality and accountability.

8) MEAL, Reporting & Quality Assurance a) Develop and apply quality benchmarks, supervision checklists, and fidelity tools for CFS, IPT G, case management, and referral pathways. b) Work with MEAL to track indicators, maintain disaggregated data (age, sex, disability), and support safe data management and reporting. c) Produce timely progress reports, case studies, lessons learned, and learning briefs.

9) Coordination & Representation a) Represent the project in district and sub national CP, SGBV, Health, and Nutrition coordination platforms. b) Strengthen collaboration with social development, health facilities, law enforcement, legal aid, and shelters. c) Support advocacy on safe, inclusive services and child sensitive procedures.

10)Safeguarding a) Promoting and abiding by Save the Children policies and procedures including but not limited to: Child Safeguarding Policy, Gender equality mainstreaming, PSEAH; Code of Conduct, Data Protection, Transport Policy, Financial Policy, IT Policy and all other related mandatory responsibilities. b) Raising awareness to all beneficiaries ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about the conduct they can expect of Save the Children staff/representatives in relation to the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. c) Facilitate partner support with focus on operationalization of safeguarding framework

QUALIFICATIONS • A minimum qualification of a Social Science degree preferably Social Work or Psychology Degree. • Specialized training in Child Protection case management, SGBV survivor centred response, and PFA/MHPSS. • Training or experience in IPT G facilitation is a strong asset.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• 3+ years managing integrated CP/SGBV programming at community and health facility levels. • Proven experience establishing and managing referral pathways and case management systems (preferably CPIMS+ or equivalent). • Demonstrated experience setting up CFS/Children’s Corners and delivering PSS/SEL activities. • Experience coordinating with social development, health, police, legal aid, and shelters. • Experience operationalizing CFRM/CRM, AAP (Accountability to Affected Populations), and PSEA reporting. • Experience in climate/crisis affected contexts and linking nutrition & protection services is highly desirable. • Good interpersonal and advocacy skills and ability to network • Excellent research and report writing skills • Computer literacy • Fluency in written and spoken English, Shona, Tonga and Ndebele.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: savethechildren.net