Child Protection Officer (Gwoza) at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Child Protection Officer

Requisition ID: req9513
Location: Gwoza, Borno
Sector: Child Protection
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Contextual Background

• The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi State. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict-affected populations.
• IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno State and Damatru of Yobe State.
• Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview / Summary

• This position is responsible for coordinating and supervising CP activities which include case management, parenting sessions and Safe Healing and Learning Spaces (SHLS) and SAFE activities
• They will also work closely with the case workers to ensure proper and quality implementation of case management and other components of the Child protection emergency response and other IRC sectors to ensure an integrated service delivery to beneficiaries.

Major Responsibilities

• S/he will coordinate with the Case workers- and other relevant technical sectors, to ensure a rapid, proportionate and effective response.
• Ensure that all activities under his/her supervision are conducted in accordance with  the CPiE minimum standards, case management guidelines and SPHERE standards
• Ensure that children are followed up on and receive quality case management services, taking the lead on case discussions/ case management meetings with case workers
• Ensure technical quality of activity reporting
• Provide staff care and support for case workers and CP assistants to ensure they are able to deal with the stress they encounter as a result of the kind of cases they deal with.

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

• S/he will coordinate with the Case workers- and other relevant technical sectors, to ensure a rapid, proportionate and effective response.
• Ensure that all activities under his/her supervision are conducted in accordance with  the CPiE minimum standards, case management guidelines and SPHERE standards
• Ensure that children are followed up on and receive quality case management services, taking the lead on case discussions/ case management meetings with case workers
• Ensure technical quality of activity reporting
• Provide staff care and support for case workers and CP assistants to ensure they are able to deal with the stress they encounter as a result of the kind of cases they deal with.

Program Development:

• Contribute to the development of child protection proposal activities
• Identify Child Protection trends that need to be addressed through child Protection programing.
• Coordinate with other the IRC Education team and sectors staff (e.g. WPE, Protection, Health and Livelihoods) at field level and ensure child protection mainstreaming.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Mubi, Adamawa
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate
• As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Coordination & Representation:

• Coordinate with the CP sub sector (Coordination at the field level) in order to assure that adequate and children centered solutions are taken in consideration in the strategic planning of activities.
• Work closely with all IRC sectors and ensure an integrated approach to interventions.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Child protection Manager
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Child Protection Coordinator
• Position directly Supervises: Child Protection Assistant and Case workers.

Qualifications
Candidates are desired who have:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences, Education, Economic, another Human Development related field or equivalent of experience preferred
• At least two years experience working to support children, adolescent girl and boys, women  or parents and caregivers
• A commitment to child protection and gender equality
• A learning attitude and willingness to increase skills and knowledge in child protection.
• Experience as an active participant of social groups, with an understanding of group dynamics and processes.
• Capacity building, facilitation or training experience
• The ability to adapt and work under pressure and strong interpersonal skills
• Basic competency in computer skills
• Personal qualities: team player, flexible, network builder, able to handle pressure well and work in a cross cultural setting.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Work as part of a Child Protection team in a safe space to provide support to children as part of broader response services.
• Participate in identifying facilitators and an initial SEL/SAFE approach training and engage in ongoing skills building using SEL/SAFE materials.
• Participate in mentoring and coaching facilitators responsible for co-facilitating sessions with adolescent girls (younger) or boys (younger and older).
• Ensure Payment Requests and other documents required for the payment of facilitators incentives are drafted and submitted on time for approval.
• Work closely with other project staff to identify Children/adolescents (younger) and female and male caregivers to participate in SEL/SAFE learning activities.
• Develop weekly, monthly and quarterly work plans for the case workers and assistants under their supervision and ensure strict adherence.
• Embark on field visits and provide support to case workers and assistants in the field.
• Build and maintain working relationships with community leaders and structures that will ensure their support for CP programming.
• Complete weekly reports on project activities, including documenting feedback from participants of SAFE sessions and proactively sharing back lessons learned whilst facilitating the curricula
• Organize and facilitate weekly team meetings

Languages:

• Fluency in Kanuri and Hausa.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).
• Ability to Travel: % of time if applicable.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Standards of Professional Conduct
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality
IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.