Coordinator, Child Protection

Akwajobs   (Cameroon)

Posted : 31 August, 2021

Category : Monitoring and Evaluation   Location : Cameroon

Job type : Full Time

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

International Medical Corps (IMC) will work alongside the International Rescue Committee to implement a three-year integrated protection intervention focusing on mitigating and responding to child protection and gender-based violence risks in the Far North region. The project will aim at providing a safe and secure environment for women and children among Nigerian refugees and vulnerable households from host communities to both reinforce the community protective environment and strengthen access to basic services for the most vulnerable and at-risk individuals. Building on IMC & IRC’s child protection experience, the two organizations will focus on two components. The first component will aim at strengthening the protective environment for children, through building local capacities of key actors including government actors, community members and caregivers on protection including mental and psychosocial impact, to facilitate behaviour change in communities and with caregivers. Considering that behaviour change can only be achieved through a sustained intervention, these activities will be implemented over a three-year period and the strategy for Y2 and Y3 will be adapted according to the progress reached in Y1 and Y2, respectively. Capacity building will be scaled up throughout the three years of the project with increased support in Y2 and Y3 of local structures (government and community-based actors) to lead and coordinate activities. Youth empowerment activities for vulnerable youth will be integrated into the protection response aiming to strengthen their resilience and facilitate the development of life skills. The second component will focus on emergency response to child protection risks faced by vulnerable and at-risk children affected by the conflict and will be implemented through case management, development of safe learning and healing spaces and support for civil documentation.
The two organizations will build on their existing GBV programming in the Far North to enhance the safety, security, wellbeing and empowerment of women and girls, following the same integrated approach proposed for child protection. IMC and IRC will strengthen the protective environment for women and girls through dedicated activities carried out with women and girls such as the Girl Shine approach for girls and support of women-led Community Based Organisations (CBOs) for women. CBOs will be selected in Y1 and reinforced in Y1 and Y2 to support prevention and response services in Y2 and Y3; in Y3, based on the capacity checklist to be carried by IMC and IRC, CBO focal points will take the lead in providing psychosocial services, case management and referrals. IRC and IMC will continue to provide monthly support through operational meetings to discuss the progress of activities, challenges encountered, and additional support required. Empowerment and behaviour change curriculums such as Girl Shine or “Economic and Social Empowerment” (EA$E) will be implemented over three years and CBOs will be involved in the implementation of these activities in Y2 and Y3 to ensure local empowerment. Sensitization activities will be implemented over the three years, and the strategy for Y2 and Y3 will be adapted based on progress achieved in Y1 and Y2 in developing community conceptions on GBV. Case management and psychosocial (PSS) services for GBV survivors will be conducted including mental health support. Local capacities will be enhanced through training of key government and health staff on Clinical Care for Sexual Assault Survivors (CCSAS), Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), mental health as well as the improvement of the coordination mechanisms.
The partnership between IMC and IRC will allow for: 1) the delivery of a common approach to protection risk mitigation and response to improve the project’s holistic impact; 2) increased geographic reach; and 3) the strengthening of community-based approaches focusing on building local capacities for prevention and response of GBV & Child Protection risks. Within this common approach, the partnership will improve the delivery of protection services through evidence-based programming models and sharing of best practices and lessons learned from several years of programming in the Far North. Both IMC and IRC will implement the same integrated approach in different locations, building on each other’s technical capacities and experiences. IMC will leverage six years of child protection programming for refugees in the Far North, sharing lessons learned and best practices with IRC. IRC’s experience and expertise as one of the lead organizations in GBV response in the Far North since 2016 will ensure that innovative approaches such as Girl Shine or EMAP (already implemented through other funding sources) are mastered and implemented by IMC. IMC will work with IRC to increase the geographical coverage of the response through specific geographic focus by each actor. The project locations have been jointly selected based on the severity of need, response gaps including the number of refugees, the possibility for referrals, and to complement existing programming to maximize the impact.

JOB SUMMARY:

International Medical Corps provides community-based child protection services to vulnerable populations, requiring a strategic and comprehensive approach to addressing child protection concerns.

The Coordinator, Child Protection is responsible for oversight of multiple child protection programs, or a large program with multiple sites of operation. This role includes strategic planning, technical leadership, capacity building, support and supervision of staff, senior internal and external coordination and representation, proposal development and reporting.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation:

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning
• Provide strategic direction and undertake analysis of child protection trends, gaps in services, and IMC’s capacities to guide IMC’s programming in country
• Contribute to national and inter-agency strategies
• Lead child protection assessments as required, maximizing available sources of information and opportunities for coordination, and ensuring compliance with safety and ethical standards
• Identify and build strategic partnerships with national and local partners
• Ensure that programs are driven by the needs of children and youth and planned with community stakeholders
• Identify appropriate locations and orientation for services
• Develop concept notes/proposals/appeals as needed

Implementation and Capacity Building
• Work closely with the global Child Protection Advisor, country level senior management, and program team to achieve program goals
• Ensure adherence to IMC’s Child Protection Minimum Standards, as well as relevant inter-agency guidelines and standards
• Oversee program interventions, including the establishment and delivery of focused child protection response services
• Build capacity of program staff/partners in relevant technical areas to deliver services and lead interventions
• Organize/support/facilitate technical trainings as needed, including Child Protection Case Management, Child Protection Minimum Standards, Child Protection SOPs and Referral Pathways, Caring for Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Unaccompanied and Separated Children, Best interest Procedures
• Establish and monitor supervision and support systems for child protection case management services
• Establish and maintain appropriate systems for information management, including implementation and monitoring of PRIMERO/CPIMS+ (Child Protection Information Management System) in appropriate contexts
• Ensure effective community participation throughout implementation
• Oversee appropriate prevention and awareness-raising/behavior change strategies
• Conduct regular program monitoring and quality assurance and apply learning for continuous improvement of interventions
• Produce regular program reports, on time and with accurate data

Senior Coordination, Representation and Advocacy
• Coordinate with other service providers to ensure holistic support for children, including participation in strengthening child protection SOPs and referral pathways
• Represent IMC’s child protection programming in relevant coordination meetings and with a range of stakeholders
• Contribute to inter-agency efforts to strengthen child protection prevention and response through active participation in coordination mechanisms and promotion of sector principles, standards, and guidelines
• Coordinate with, and build capacity of, other sectors as possible to ensure integration of child protection concerns into various services and broader humanitarian response
• Advocate as necessary with relevant authorities, humanitarian actors, donors, and other stakeholders

Human Resources Management
• Select and orient program staff/volunteers/partners for effective implementation
• Support, coach and supervise staff to build capacity and strengthen quality of interventions.
• Develop support strategies for staff, foster teambuilding, and introduce principles of self-care
• Provide supportive and constructive feedback, and conduct regular performance appraisals

Security and Conduct
• Ensure compliance with security protocols and policies
• Consider security implications of programs, reviewing plans with teams and appropriate stakeholders
• Foster a safe and supportive working environment for all child protection staff/volunteers/partners
• Exemplify core principles of child protection programming, including the child's survival and development, best interests of the child, non-discrimination, children's participation
• Contribute to the positive image and overall credibility of the program and organization, notably through adherence to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, including compliance with anti-harassment, safeguarding and PSEA policies

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

Code of Conduct
As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report.

If this is a supervisory position, one must set an example of ethical behavior through one’s own conduct and oversight of the work of others; ensure that those who report to you have sufficient knowledge and resources to follow the standards outlined in the Code of Conduct & Ethics; monitor compliance of the people you supervise; enforce the Code of Conduct & Ethics and International Medical Corps’ policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the Protection from Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, consistently and fairly; support employees who in good faith raise questions or concerns.

Safeguarding
It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons.

Equal Opportunities
International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Typically, a 4-year university degree in Social Work, Psychology, or another related field. Advanced degree preferred. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Typically, 8+ years professional child protection experience, of which 5 years in humanitarian sector in emergency and/or in refugee settings, including field experience in case management.
• Knowledge and experience of child protection case management and psychosocial programming in the humanitarian context
• Relevant regional experience preferred
• Demonstrated application of child protection core competencies and commitment to core principles of child protection programming
• Experience with humanitarian architecture and knowledge of mandates/roles of donors, UN agencies and other NGO
• Strong knowledge of standards and guidelines for child protection programming, coordination and data management
• Facilitation experience required
• Supervisory experience required
• Experience working with local partners and community mobilization preferred
• Profound cross-cultural awareness
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, remain flexible and apply experience and guidance to evolving challenges
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written and ability to communicate in English and capacity to write clear and concise reports in English
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel

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