Child Protection Officer

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager ECHO, the successful candidate shall ensure that conflict affected vulnerable and at-risk children – children separated from their families, children exposed to or victims of all forms of violence, exploitation, discrimination, abuse and neglect,,, within the target areas are identified and benefit from tailored/individualized case management support, including support to their parents and caregivers. The incumbent shall also ensure that children and parents identified with emotional problems linked to conflict are targeted for psychosocial support activities and community members are trained on preventing and responding to child abuse, neglect and exploitation. To maximize impact, the CP Officer shall ensure effective coordination with community groups and influencers (men’s groups, women’s groups, children and youth groups, community and religious leaders) and the Child Protection Area of Responsibility and Strategic Advisory Group (CP SAG), liaising closely with other IRC programs, International and local NGOs in the area, community and local authorities to facilitate access to basic services, ensuring alignment of all IRC CP activities to national and IA best practices and SOPs.

Location

The job location is Buea Town-Fako Division. Notwithstanding, the CPO is required to spend 90% of his time on the field to supervise all CP activities in Meme Division (Kake I, Kake II, Bolo Moboka, Weme and Baduma) ; and/or as assigned by IRC hierarchy in other sites or projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CPO shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:

A) Technical Input/Support

Provide technical inputs and oversee the effective implementation of CP sector-specific activities under the ECHO grant, as follows :

Child Protection :

- Oversee timely and tailored case management for vulnerable and at-risk children identified with protection concerns (separated from their families, victims of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation) , as well as their caregivers, through : identification, documentation, assessing protection concerns, developing action plans, providing direct support or referrals, and timely follow-up and closure of cases, in line with inter-agency guidelines and SOPs. - Ensure assisted communities are sensitized on the different categories of vulnerable and at-risk children to support proper identification and registration. - Ensure that the different contacts with the children are properly documented using standardized interagency documentation forms and that case files verifiably reflect the extent of support to the children. - Ensure confidentiality is applied consistently in all identified and assisted protection cases at all times and that documentation are securely kept and accessed on a need-to-know basis. - Organize regular protection meetings to review cases identified with team especially the high risk cases. - Identify children within communities showing signs of conflict-related stress requiring psychosocial support through focus group discussions. - Organize sensitization/training sessions on context-relevant and prioritized themes relating to child protection with community leaders, representatives and members of community structures. - Organize and facilitate capacity-building trainings on CP for different audiences (community leaders and groups, government ministry personnel, NGO representatives) in collaboration with the Senior PM and TC ; - In collaboration with the CP Case Management Assistant (Meme), identify and assist children and parents identified with conflict -related psychosocial needs via PSS and enhanced parenting skills training in community safe spaces ; - Strictly respect the fundamental principles of child protection and case management: confidentiality, participation of the child, best interests of the child, non-discrimination and “Do No Harm”

Cross-Sectoral Activities:

- Prepare and update detailed work plan(s) to support and achieve activities in collaboration with the Senior PM. - Update implementation, procurement and spending plans in collaboration with the Senior PM as per agreed timelines; - Liaise with Senior PM and Technical Coordinators, to Identify and address training needs for CP Case Management Assistant and community representatives. - Mentor staff to reinforce adherence to CP guiding principles and best practices throughout IRC’s CP work. - Ensure day-to-day supervision & professional development of the CP Case Management Assistant and CP community focal points, fostering positive team spirit - Liaise with the CP M&E Assistant to ensure timely reporting/monitoring of CP activities as well as contribute to relevant post-distribution monitoring (PDM), and data collection for project outcome (KOI) indicators - Ensure the existence of a confidential/safe space for child protection activities (case management, individual counselling, awareness-raising) within the project sites in collaboration with community leaders. - Develop/update and regularly communicate a mapping of service actors within the project sites in collaboration with the Senior PM - Contribute to the development/updating of CP awareness-raising messages and tools and their dissemination liaising with the Senior PM and PROL Technical Coordinator. - Prepare Item Forecasts, Submit Item Requirements and picking lists to INTEGRA in collaboration with the Senior PM.

B) Coordination & Representation

- Represent IRC at the CP AoR and CP Strategic Advisory Group (CPSAG) and prepare/submit minutes of these meetings to the Field Coordinator and Senior PM; - Ensure that IRC’s CP work is known to community stakeholders/leaders, related government services, local and international NGOs and the CP AoR in liaison with the Senior PM and IRC’s activities are effectively coordinated with other entities (NGOs and the CP AoR) through participation in periodic meetings and project introduction meetings.

- Identify concerns related to and support adherence to CP referral protocols by all relevant stakeholders.

C) Supervision

- Supervise the Child protection Case Management Assistant for Meme (Based in Kumba) in the execution of his tasks (the identification, care and follow-up of people of concern for protection, awareness-raising, PSS and parenting skill training) - Organize weekly sessions with assistant to discuss individual cases (data verification, quality of decision-making, follow-up) and case management work in general (performance); - Ensure documentation of cases and regular updating of the database and physical files (filing cabinet). - Ensure at all times the confidentiality of the cases of protection identified and ensure its application punctually at all levels. - Support management of CPIMS database (when introduced) in collaboration with the CP CM Assistant and Senior PM.

D. Reporting

- Prepare CP weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual as well as donor reports in collaboration with the Senior PM; - Submit weekly work plans and reports to workplan/ reporting focal point/Senior PM, support consolidation of weekly reports and plans and uploading into the online reporting platform every week. - Coordinate weekly work planning, submission of vehicle needs and reporting for CP Activities liaising with the Senior PM and Fleet Officer; - Prepare draft semester report for donor submission (CP sector) - Develop and submit bi-weekly case management reports. - Responsible for quality check of data with M&E officers ensuring coherence.

All employees are required to respect IRC Cameroon’s security and safety procedures ;

- Transmit any security information to the hierarchy, supervisor or security focal point ;

- Inform supervisor of any problem, complaint or information likely to affect or impact programming within the sites of intervention ;

All IRC staff are required to comply with IRC Standards of Professional Conduct (The IRC Way) as well as IRC Cameroon’s employment policies and Mandatory Trainings.

Qualifications

Academic Qualification and Experience :

Required :

- Technical degree or diploma in social work, psychology, social science or related field. - Substantial field experience in Child Protection for a leading International NGO may be substituted in lieu of academic qualification, as appropriate. - Minimum of 3 years working experience of child protection or social services obtained via previous work for an International NGO - Demonstrated understanding of CP case management, psychosocial support and training facilitation skills; - Demonstrated understanding of child rights and protection issues, including preventing emotional and physical violence against children ; - Computer literate, with skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; - Fluency in English and pidgin English (will be tested)

Other Qualities :

- Positive and professional, including ability to lead and work well within a team; - Strong multi-tasking skills, ability to prioritize work and meet competing needs and tight deadlines, and attention to detail ; - Creative, flexible, autonomous and organized self-starter - Cameroonian by nationality

Presentation of Application File:

- An up to date (CV); - Cover Letter/Application - Copy of NIC - Academic Credentials - Relevant Previous Work Attestations.