Child Protection Officer

Position Description

Role Purpose

The Child Protection Officer will be responsible for implementation of case management and referral advice and information activities as part of the recovery activities in Enga Province for children in Wabag who have been impacted by the Landslide in Enga Province. The role will be a point of contact, through participation in Child Friendly Space activities, partners, with communities, families and children to connect children and their parents and care givers to supports that reduce harm as a result of the child’s experience of the landslide .

Under the Line Supervision of the Humanitarian Manager (PNG) ,you will be responsible for the day to day implementation of the protection programme. Child Protection specific technical advice and support will be provided by the Child Protection (CP) Technical Advisors (PNG and Pacific Regional) . The Child Protection Officer (CPO) will act as the first point of contact with NGO and government partners. The CPO will contribute to monitoring and promoting the quality and effectiveness of child protection programmes in accordance with grant agreements and organisational guidelines, values and principles. S/he will provide input into the strategic vision and direction of the protection programme, in line with global priorities. S/he will provide mentoring and capacity building support to SC and partner staff and volunteers implementing the programme (e.g. Assistant Child Protection Officer, CFS Facilitators, Case workers, Community Mobilisers). The role will coordinate and oversee partnerships with local NGOs and government bodies and other Actors at both local and provincial level.

This role requires the post holder to also work as necessary, in an emergency, humanitarian context.

Key Areas of Accountability

Project Management

• Support partners to alter activities/strategies in light of context changes or operational challenges when necessary.
• Implement, monitor and verify programme activities and quality relative to stated targets and standards.
• Monitor programme implementation against indicators detailed in the project Logical Framework and implementation plans and SC’s Quality Framework
• Completion of needs assessment
• Ensure proper, professional, documented and clear communication with project partners regarding all aspects of the project activities including timely submission of project reports and compliance with co-financing agreements
• Develop and maintain close relationships with implementing partners, addressing issues as they arrive.
• Plan, implement and coordinate activities with implementing partners for project visibility according to the guidelines of the multiple donors and Save the Children
• Submit monthly and quarterly progress reports to the Humanitarian Manager, in a timely manner
• Support the development, maintenance and updating of project workplans, notifying relevant staff of any course correction that is required
• Assist with preparing timely monitoring reports and expected deliverables (technical and financial) for submission to donors
• Support the development of communication materials.
• Assist in programme review and evaluation exercises.
• Consult with children and families with regards to the quality and impact of the projects on the protection of children, provide feedback and propose the means to improve project effectiveness

Strengthen coordination and external communication

• Maintain links with other CP projects (SC or inter agency) in the field.
• With the agreement of the Humanitarian Manager, represent with Government, relevant departments, partner organisations, donors and the public, as well as within the wider organisation.
• Promote the integration of the different components of the CP programme are integrated and that inputs from relevant partners are incorporated as appropriate

Working in humanitarian / emergency contexts

• Technically support the carrying out assessments in relation to the protection risks to children and with particular reference to unaccompanied and separated children and management of Child Friendly Spaces and other potential responses.
• Support in strengthening the broader local/ Provincial recovery programme’s protection portfolio through capacity building of field staff, of partnerships and networks.
• Design and establish appropriate feedback mechanisms that are contextual, effective, accessible and safe for children and their careers, and that ensure that feedback is recorded, reviewed and acted upon.

Advocacy

• Always act as SC advocate to prevent and respond to child protection concerns and show zero tolerance to abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect.
• Provide input in developing and rolling-out an advocacy strategy for the CP component of the programme.
• Assist in maintaining functional networks with other actors for advocacy and research in advancing child protection.

Capacity-development:

• Support the development, carrying out and documentation of training for partners and facilitate as appropriate
• Technically support Child Friendly space staff or partners with case management for the most vulnerable children.

Administrative and financial:

• Coordinate with the responsible accounting and administrative staff for on financial processes.
• Action and monitor the procurement of goods and services for the project and ensure execution according to the rules and guidelines established by relevant donors

Person Specification

Skills and abilities

• Experience in Child Protection work ( E)
• Proven ability to work in a self-directed and motivated fashion, with limited supervision (E).
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills (E).
• Fluency in written and spoken English (E).
• Ability to work effectively in a team (E).
• Computer literacy and proficiency (E)
• Budget and/or financial management (E)
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills & ability to network, influence & negotiate with a range of diverse stakeholders (E)
• Demonstrated understanding of rights based/child rights programming
• Willingness to travel regularly and for prolonged periods to the field and in the event of an emergency

Experience

• Minimum working experience of 2 years in the child protection and development sector (E)
• Demonstrated experience implementing activities as part of large, complex projects
• Demonstrated expertise in the delivery of trauma informed, child protection services, community development, NGO development and institutional reform (E).
• Experience working alongside government, non government and CSO Actors to achieve health outcomes under complex grants (E)
• Experience in achieving results through working in and navigating sensitive cultural & political environments

• Experience of working with children and families(E)

Qualifications/Accreditations:

• Tertiary qualification/s in relevant & related discipline (E).

Additional job responsibilities

• The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reason and in line with their level of skills and experience.

At Save the Children we pride ourselves on our will to embrace change and mould our programs to suit the ever-changing needs of communities across PNG and the Pacific. As a member of the extended Senior Management Team, you will provide leadership in safety, security and risk initiatives aimed at supporting work for betterment of children’s lives at community and national levels. We don’t shy from new ideas; we need you to stir things up.

Save the Children is no ordinary not-for-profit.

We’re ambitious, creative and outspoken. We stand up for children’s rights. We want all children to be educated, healthy and live a life free from violence. We run programs in PNG, Pacific, Australia and overseas and, if there’s a disaster - like an earthquake, drought or conflict – we are there on the ground.

Where you come in:

In this full-time maximum term position based in Wabag , Enga Province, you will work closely with the Child Protection Technical Advisor and other key internal departments. You will lead activities that enhance the protective factors for children who were impacted by the landslide in Enga Province. You will use your expertise to build partner relationships and capability, coordinate the implementation of activities and provide reports.

You will make an impact by:

• Carrying out assessments in relation to the protection risks to children and with particular reference to unaccompanied and separated children and management of Child Friendly Spaces and other potential responses.
• Support in strengthening the broader local/ Provincial recovery programme’s protection portfolio through capacity building of field staff, of partnerships and networks.

• Ensuring project implementation is on track, performance targets are being met and grant conditions are complied with across all 3 operating locations
• Producing narrative and financial reports on time to a high quality, ensuring that any variances from agreed contract are evidence based and well-documented.
• Agile budget management to ensure expenditure is on track by reviewing monthly Finance Reports and completing regular reforecasts, in line with grant conditions.
• Assessing, monitoring and managing risks to minimise impact by ensuring appropriate mitigations, controls, responses, reports and treatments are implemented in a timely manner.

Does this sound like you?

You can work independently, able to multitask, work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines. You have experience in assessing needs and building the capacity of parents and partners to enhance the protective factors for their children in their care. You have the ability to develop effective solution focused working partnerships with Partners, Provincial and Local Actors and key stakeholders in protection sector and communities.

This role requires:

• Tertiary qualification/s in relevant & related discipline.

• Minimum working experience of 2 years in a child protection and development sector (E)
• Demonstrated experience implementing activities as part of large, complex projects
• Demonstrated expertise in the delivery of trauma informed, child protection services, community development, NGO development and institutional reform (E)Experience working alongside government counterparts to achieve health outcomes under complex grants.

• Experience in achieving results through working in and navigating sensitive cultural & political environments

• Experience of working with children and families

Working at Save the Children is more than just a job.

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the world a better place for children and working with others who feel the same. In addition to a connection to social causes, you will have access to:

• Opportunity to work on additional projects alongside business as usual
• Individual learning plans to assist in your career development
• Internal employment and development opportunities
• Support for workplace wellness, including access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Competitive salary + super

Sound interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume to:

The Hiring Manager

Save the Children

CHM Corporate Park One Building

Level 1, Suite 6 - 7

P O Box 503, Boroko

National Capital District

Applications close 27^th November 2024.

For more information about this position, please contact png.hr@savethechildren.org.au