Child Protection Officer at SOS Children Villages

We work to prevent family breakdown and care for children who have lost parental care, or who risk losing it. We work with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children, in every society, are respected and fulfilled.

We are non-governmental and non-denominational. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development.

All the work we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide. Your help is needed too.Position Summary

The Child Protection Officer is accountable for professional technical contribution to project design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation of Child Protection programme/project activities during the crisis, data analysis and progress reporting, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the emergency work plan, aligned with country programme goals and strategy

Responsibilities

Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective Child Protection programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation.
Draft sound Child Protection programme budgets for review by the supervisor; and provide support for sharing of information with relevant partners.
Prepare weekly activity plans with line staff as necessary and ensure smooth implementation of these plans.
Set up/strengthen Child Protection Committees, including training and awareness raising on dangers of abduction in their communities and linking children to available services.
Monitor and assess the implementation of the program, ensuring that case workers are using the case management forms consistently and correctly.
Ensure all data from the case management are kept confidential and only shared on a need to know bases and in accordance with case management protocols.
Representation of SOS Children’s Villages as necessary at community level and negotiate with local authorities when necessary.
Perform other functions relative to Child Protection activities and initiatives that may be assigned by Line Manager.
Coordinate with Logistics to ensure timely and safe delivery of supplies allocated to field activities.
Uphold the SOS Children’s Villages Child Safeguarding Policy and ensure the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse in the workplace and communities of intervention.
Identify gaps in service provision to children and proactively document, refer and advocate for those gaps to be filled to relevant authorities
He/she will closely work with the child protection stakeholders to ensure that they are addressing child protection concerns within their respective communities.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

University degree in social sciences or relevant experience in social work, community development and working with children in Child Protection programme
Minimum of 1 year sectoral experience
A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification would be an added advantage.
Good English oral and written communication skills
Fluent in a local language
Experience in community facilitation and mobilisation
Good understanding of community politics and traditional networks in program
location.
Excellent technical understanding of child protection and community-based
approaches.
Good computer knowledge and skills.
Be able to prioritise tasks
Flexibility and ability to work independently and in a team
Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
Able to operate in extremely harsh living and working environment
Gender awareness and sensitivity
Commitment to the aims and principles of SOS Children’s Villages. In particular, a good understanding of the SOS Children’s Villages mandate on child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support