Gender and Child Protection Officer at Plan International

Plan International Nigeria is part is the global federation of Plan International and was registered as a National Organization in 2014 in Nigeria. Plan International works in 52 developing Countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas. Plan’s Global Strategic Goals (2017-2022) is to advance Children’s Rights and Equality for Girls ad our Ambition is, “together, we take action so that 100 million girls learn, lead, decide and thrive”. We reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalised through the delivery of high-quality programmes that deliver long-lasting benefits to children and their communities.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Gender and Child Protection Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Grade: C2
Department: Programme
Contract duration: 5 Months and renewable based on availability of funding and satisfactory performance.
Reports to: General supervision by Project Manager and Technical line to CPIE/GBV Specialist

Purpose

• Plan International Nigeria is seeking to implement Cash Based Transfer (CBT) + Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP) project funded by World Food Programme (WFP).
• This position is responsible for for mainstreaming protection issues into project activities in close collaboration with Cash and Nutrition team implementing the CBT + INP project funded by WFP.
• The post holder will support the implementation of the community mobilization and nutrition activities in the community in accordance with Plan International’s Protection activities in Emergencies response in North East Nigeria.

Dimensions of Role

• Communicates with the project manager with Plan International and with WFP Cooperating Partner Agencies.
• The post holder will support project team to mainstream inter-agency guidelines and the minimum standards for gender and child protection in humanitarian actions.
• The post holder will interface and support project team members to coordinate protection issues and concern during field level activities.
• The role requires strong facilitation and organisational skills along with the ability to analyse and communicate complex information to all staff, partners and other stakeholders.

Key End Results and typical Responsibilities
Programme development & Quality Management In collaboration with the Field Team and sector Specialist, the Gender and Child Protection Officer will:

• To ensure that target women and children with protection concern accessing CBT+INP services are identified and receive support by ensuring standard tools and procedures are in place and adhered to by team members to protect them from being harmed.
• To mainstream, manage, provide training and technical support to, and build the capacity of the full project team.
• To coordinate with other child protection agencies at the facilities to ensure that protection issues are addressed regularly and on time.

Technical Skills:

• Provide technical leadership to project team in accordance with best practice and Plan policies, including its gender sensitive and child-centered community-based approach.
• Ensure that referral information management systems are in place for appropriate identification, responses and follow-up for PLW and Children at risk of violence, abuse exploitation and neglect at service delivery access points.
• Ensure regular communication with Project Manager and CPiE Specialist to integrate appropriate child protection in emergencies priorities in project service delivery.
• Collaborate with other project staff to ensure referrals to other services such as psychosocial support, Mental health and education/livelihoods interventions

Staff Supervision &Development:

• Ensure training, support and ongoing capacity building opportunities for project staff
• Ensure that all Plan policies are upheld, as well as international Minimum Standards for Protection and WFP Guidelines.
• Grant Planning & Implementation
• Produce weekly and monthly data and regular narrative reports for different stakeholders and information to feed into donor narrative report.
• Supports implementation and ensure adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans. Monitoring & Reporting
• Initiate regular, participatory assessments/feedback surveys with client communities.
• Provide inputs into and consolidate weekly, monthly and quarterly progress reports on the protection activities; Submit reports for all field activities, trainings and meetings.
• Maintain effective and efficient oversight, quality control and reporting systems and processes that ensure regular field monitoring and modifications as required.
• Contribute to high-quality Plan International and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements, as well as best practices and lessons learned.

Coordination & Representation:

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders,including UNICEF and WFP cooperating partner agencies.
• Regularly attend WFP and FSSWG level protection sub-working group meetings, or as directed to contribute to coordination of protection responses across agencies.

Program Development:

• Contribute to the development of the protection mainstreaming in Food Security, Early Recovery and Livelihood support services.
• Contribute to proposal development activities (narrative and budget) through planning and program design with relevant field-based staff and ensure technical standards are taken into consideration Community Services
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to Plan International management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for Plan programs.

Human Resource Development:

• Supports the orientation, on-going development/training and builds capacity of field level and community based staff to ensure a high level of expertise in line with organisational requirements

Learning and knowledge management:

• Shares relevant information within the team establishing and supporting the proper documentation of activities
• Participates in regional/national projects/networks as requested.

Resource Mobilisation:

• Support resource mobilisation efforts of proposal writing and related engagement.

Dealing with Problems:

• Ability to manage competing priorities and expectations from internal and external stakeholders and remain calm and resilient in the face of pressure.
• Manage multiple and work with distant colleagues to form a virtual efficient administration team;
• Use Plan procedures to settle conflicts among colleagues;
• Resolve problems that are not covered by established process.
• Analyse possible causes of problems and suggest solutions to get them resolved.
• Refer, whenever necessary, the case to the project manager or Sector Specialist for consideration.

Communications and Working Relationships:

• Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
• Prepare and submit relevant information for project reports and proposals for Plan International domestic and international consumption as directed by his/her supervisor.
• Provide timely responses concerning queries linked with relevant projects or programmes.
• Provide advice and support to Plan International Nigeria’s project/ programme delivery and resource mobilisation.
• Work with other members of the project/ programme units to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives
Knowledge:

Qualifications and Experience:

• University Degree or equivalent in Law, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Human Rights or related Degree desired
• At least 1- year post- NYSC work experience in implementing Protection programs, preferable social work or legal assistance, in humanitarian or development settings
• Prior experience providing services to children and women at risk and victims of abuse, exploitation and violence, providing gender-sensitive and child-friendly counselling services, and/or developing/implementing referral pathways.
• Previous experience working with a team in a cross-cultural setting

Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated understanding of the skills necessary to work with PLW and children.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, think and plan strategically, and communicate with key actors in a dynamic and unpredictable operating environment.
• Excellent community mobilization skills.
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, research and conducting participatory, community-led assessments.
• Knowledge of Sphere and established international child protection/GBV standards, methodology and tools.
• Knowledge of community mobilization and facilitation techniques.
• Computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Ability and willingness to work in a participatory manner with a diverse range of client communities.

Personal qualities:

• Team player, clear communicator, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well under minimal supervision, and a commitment to child rights and gender equality.
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and knowledge of local language strongly desired

Behaviours:

• Creates strong sense of purpose and commitment within own part of the team and with stakeholders
• Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
• Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism/integrity
• Strategic thinking and effective contribution to own work and Organisational development.
• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations
• Strong emotional intelligence including self-awareness.
• Leads by example to motivate high performance of others
• Very strong commitment to continuous learning

Physical Environment and Demands

• Based in Maiduguri, Borno State, with travel to the communities to ensure that project is effectively monitored

Level of Contact with Children

• High contact- the job responsibilities of this position require the post holder to have High contact with women and children. It is expected that children shall be protected at all times.

Application Closing Date
23rd February, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and a comprehensive Cover Letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to: Nigeria.Recruitment@plan-international.org  Indicate the Job Title and location as subject if the mail

Note

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Plan International Nigeria is an equal opportunity employer ad does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender or disabilities
• Plan International Nigeria is fully committed to child protection to prevent children from all forms of abuse. Women are encouraged to apply.