Child Protection Officer at Life at Best Development Initiative

Life at Best Development Initiative (LABDI) is a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can create a better future for survivors of wars. We started extending help to vulnerable children and women who were affected by the insurgency which began in Borno state, Nigeria, in 2009. This moment intensified when we found that there were many such vulnerable children, women, and households who needed help with food, shelter, and education. Our team expanded and we spread out into different parts of the BAY states to make sure we cover all possible areas and help as many children, women, and households as possible. We support children, families, and communities affected by insurgencies and natural disasters.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Child Protection Officer

Location: Yobe

Role Dimensions

• This role will contribute towards Life At Best Development Initiative Child Protection strategic objective that ‘All girls and boys have increased access to child protection services and violence against children is reduced.

Key Areas of Accountability

•  Work closely with LABDI CP Team Lead And Project Manger to ensure the quality implementation of Child Protection activities in the field. 
• Lead on case management activities and be supervisor in the designated field sites, with support from case workers, including coordinating and sharing data with other service providers using the new Case Management SOPs, annexes, forms and handbook.
• 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.
• Set up/support and monitor Child Protection Help Desks to identify, support and refer children with protection concerns. 
• Monitor and assess the implementation of the program, ensuring that case workers are using the case management forms consistently and correctly.
• Ensure quality and timely registration of recovered abductees and at-risk children sharing the information with Project Manager.
• 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 ISP. 
• Representation of Life At Best Development Initiative LABDI as necessary at community  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.
• Adhere to safeguarding policy and report where necessary

Experience and Skills

• University Degree in Social Sciences or relevant experience in Social Work, Community Development and working with children in Child Protection programme
• 3 years sectoral experience
• Good English oral and written communication skills 
• Fluent in a local language E.g Kanuri,Hausa Etc
• 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 LABDI In particular, a good understanding of the LABDI mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support

Desirable:

• Work experience with children and families, especially knowledge of child rights and participation
• Excellent computer knowledge
• Experience in capacity building
• Previous NGO experience, including an understanding of neutrality as an National NGO
• Background knowledge in child/ youth protection, education, child rights and emergencies

Behaviours (Values in Practice)
Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Life At Best Development Initiative LABDI values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for LABDI engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity 

Additional job responsibilities:

• The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities:

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the LABDI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

• We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Application Closing Date
19th June, 2024.