Emergency Child Protection specialist

Job Description

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 refugees 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.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is planning to implement a Multi-Sectoral Emergency Support to Conflict-Affected Local Communities and Internally Displaced Persons across the country funded by Lego Foundation child focused emergency response mechanism managed by IRC. Under this program, the IRC will provide emergency Nutrition, Health, Education in Emergency, CWI, and Protection intervention including Cash Bases Assistance. IRC is currently seeking a highly motivated, multi-sector Emergency Rapid Response specialist who will take overall responsibility for ERR Program Quality ensuring that the impact of our programs and the influence of our perspectives empowers our clients to make lasting change in their lives.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Emergency Child Protection specialist focus on child response will be engaged in emergency assessment, emergency response planning including multi sector project design and report writing and emergency response set up, monitoring and post intervention assessment, facilitating trainings and coordination and representation of the program. The Emergency Response Manager will collaborate closely with Program team and Lego Foundation Emergency Response Coordinatorand other members of IRC program teams and ensure an integration of sub sectors. She/he is also expected to assist the program coordinator, program sector leads and assist in Beneficiary Feedback mechanism initiatives and is expected to spend over 50% in the field. The Emergency Child Protection specialist reports to the Emergency Response Manager but work closely with another Emergency response team.

Major Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of Emergency Response Manager in Addis Ababa, the Emergency Child Protection specialist will be responsible to manage, coordinate and monitor the child protection programs across conflict and disaster affected sites in the target areas. She /he will demonstrate technical capability and support the child protection staff in the field to ensure that the program is holistic, upholding the standards, procedures, and principles of child protection. She /he will be responsible to enhance the coordination of basic services and ensure their accessibility to children. The Emergency Child Protection specialist will also be responsible to build the technical capacity of child protection team through on-going training, mentoring, and coaching.

The Emergency Child Protection specialist will also be responsible to maintain highest standards in the design, planning implementation and monitoring of child protection interventions through a coordinated approach. Specific Responsibilities:

Program Planning and Development:

- Undertake situational assessments and ensure data compilation and analysis are to the desired standard; and participate in proposal and budget development. - Participate in the development and implementation of CP strategy, approaches and contribute actively the revision, monitoring and evaluation of the emergency CP project. - Take primary responsibility for the design, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of Child Protection projects in IDP and refugee camps (including development/ update of relevant strategies, SOPs and referral pathways, Case Management, CP IMS, PSS interventions and community-based care and support for vulnerable and at-risk children including unaccompanied/ separated children). - Contribute to the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in program management, in line with the IRC’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and the Outcomes and Evidence Framework (OEF). - Ensure a well- coordinated and holistic approach to address issues concerning vulnerable and at-risk children including Unaccompanied / Separated children living in the IDP sites, host communities and refugee camps - Support program staff in the design and implementation of effective community mobilization and awareness raising strategies

Program Implementation:

- Support the CP field staff in establishing SHLS interventions in IDP sites. - Provide technical support and guidance on appropriate technical and institutional capacity building measures to achieve Child Protection program goals. - Strengthen protection mechanisms through mobilizing and involving the community in reducing risks and harm of (abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect) against children in the target communities. - Identify gaps and build the capacity of the community to be able to support vulnerable children and their families including unaccompanied/ separated children living in IDP sites. - Support and link child protection program to the different programs and social services available in the IDP sites to meet the needs of children - Follow-up, monitor and supervise the implementation of program activities based on the work plan, spending plan and the proper utilization of budget and program materials allocated to the project

Program Liaison, Coordination and Networking:

- With the support of CPE coordinator and CP Assistant Coordinator, actively engage in protection coordination mechanisms at national level. - Maintain professional and effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders. - Coordinate and facilitate regular meetings with the field team to gather progresses and challenges and guide the way forward. - Collaborate with other departments to ensure the integration of CP into Education, CWI, EH, Health and Youth program activities. - Ensure accountability and collaborate with the support staff to establish and maintain sound internal controls and coordinate financial and supply chain management requirements for CP.

Administrative and Workforce Development:

- Responsible for hiring, training and providing technical support and guidance to the field team. - Mentor and support staff on professional development and foster a positive team spirit to encourage innovative and quality programming. - Ensure all working documents are available and accessible for field-based staff.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

- Ensure program efficiency and delivery through development of project monitoring and evaluation mechanisms - Initiate/ Participate in project evaluation exercises and periodic program review meetings with key stakeholders. - Support the CP team in ensuring the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for advocacy, effective Child Protection program design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation. - Review reports regularly and provide feedback on the collection, analysis, use and storage of the child protection program information management system; follow-up and report on the progress of the IA CP IMS. - Prepare monthly progress, quarterly and annual implementation and donor reports and submit to relevant staff.

Qualifications

MINIMUM SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS

- University Degree in Social Science, Social Work, and psychology/Sociology with 3 years of relevant experience for postgraduate, 6 years of relevant experience for BA degree holders. - NGO experience is a plus, - Experience in working with harmed and/or at-risk children in an NGO setting is advantageous - Adaptability and flexibility: resilience, remains calm in high pressured situations, accepts new assignments and challenges, and responds efficiently to change. - Ensure that you work to the best of your ability and demonstrate high levels of dedication to IRC and our vision, mission, and values to ensure the objectives of your role and the country program are met. - Ensure the effective and efficient use of all IRC resources to keep costs low and ensure safety in the workplace.

Skills Required:

- Proven management skills. - Computer literate. - Project management experience. - Proposal and report writing skills - Excellent local language skills. - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Other qualifications:

- Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with external parties, representing IRC positions in case delegated by the manager, promoting long-term strategy, and resolving problems/conflicts. - Values diversity, sees it as a source of organizational strength - Good listener concerted and flexibility, and creativity

Integrity:

- Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, demonstrate flexibility and adaptability