JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Project Officer – Child Protection (FOR MYANMAR NATIONAL ONLY)

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme Implementation

LOCATION: Hpa Ann, Kayin 

Number of Position: 1

GRADE: NAT 4

CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed Term

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

Level 3:  the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Child Protection Officer is responsible for managing and implementing activities to establish and strengthen Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms (CBCPMs) and to form, build capacity, and support the ongoing development of Child Groups in all impact area villages, including partner villages. The role also oversees the implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) activities and other agreed child protection initiatives, as well as assigned child safeguarding responsibilities. All child protection and child safeguarding interventions must align with Save the Children International’s quality standards. The Child Protection Officer will work closely with the Sponsorship Team to ensure integrated community and child empowerment and collaborate with the Area Team and other sectoral teams to ensure activities are implemented on track and in line with the agreed implementation plan.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Program Manager 

Technical report to: National Child Safeguarding Lead

Staff directly reporting to this post: None 

Budget Responsibilities: None 

Travel : Frequent 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Lead the establishment and strengthening of Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms (CBCPMs) to ensure sustainable community ownership and participation.
• Facilitate the formation and empowerment of Child Groups, ensuring meaningful child participation in protection initiatives.
• Design and deliver capacity-building programs for Child Protection Groups and Child Groups to enhance their skills, knowledge, and effectiveness.
• Train and mentor staff on the effective functioning of Child Protection Mechanisms and the empowerment of child groups, fostering a child-centered approach.
• Plan and conduct Child Resilience Sessions in coordination with the team.
• Provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) to the community volunteers and community core group members for the children in need.
• Oversee and implement regular monitoring of Child Protection Groups and Child Groups to assess progress and address gaps.
• Coordinate with the MEAL Coordinator to track and report progress on Child Resilience Sessions and related child protection activities.
• Coach and mentor to the staff and partner staff to ensure effective implementation of Child Protection activities in quality.
• Assist Program Manager in Child Protection and Child Safeguarding related reports.
• Necessary to attend the relevant trainings in order to conduct CP (CM, MHPSS and CLCP) related activities according to project requirement
• Any other tasks assigned by supervisor and next level line manager

Child Safeguarding Responsibility 

• Support as a safeguarding focal point to ensure SCI safeguarding mechanisms are in place throughout Mon/Kayin Region programs and lead Child Protection activities in the Sponsorship project area.
• Provide a timely all-safeguarding mandatory induction to complete for all new joining staff and volunteers
• Support the safe, timely, and effective reporting of safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Provide technical advice to ensure that SCI-hired volunteers are following in accordance with the VMS guidelines and that their data is uploaded to the VMS system.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

• Demonstrated skills and experience in implementing child protection programming
• At least 3 years in implementing and working with children and youth
• Shows ability to plan, schedule, and direct the work of self and others.
• High motivation to work under difficult circumstances and Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to communicate a clear vision, motivation and commitment to the safety and well-being of case workers.
• Previous experience working for an NGO or other non-profit organization is preferrable.
• Good interpersonal, communication skills and attention to detail.
• Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment & independently.
• Sets work schedules integration with the team that promote the effective and efficient use of staff and delivery of services.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values, and principles.
• Good written and spoken skills in local language.
• Willingness to travel to field offices and work in difficult environment according to travel requirements
• A commitment to children’s rights, children’s participation, and non-discrimination.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and build strong relationships with partners and community.
• Strong knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) principles, child protection standards, and best practices
• Ability to work under pressure in challenging environments.

Skills and Experience: 

• At least 3 years in implementing and working with children and youth, at least 2 years experiences of Child Protection.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitating skills.
• Ability to work in a high-conflict environment with sensitivity and cultural awareness.

Education: 

• University degree on psychology, social science, education, child development, humanitarian, related or equivalent experiences.

Communication and Technical Skills 

• Good personal organizational skills, including time management, and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Experience managing child protection cases in a sensitive and child friendly manner.

Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization

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 SCI 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.

All staff has an obligation and a responsibility to: 

• Ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.
• Conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.
• Ensure the way they are carrying out their work is not putting children at risk (or further risk) – this means constantly scrutinizing their work through a child safeguarding lens and talking to children about possible design/implementation “flaws”.
• Promote the message of child safeguarding to colleagues in other organizations and government ministries, children in their own and beneficiary families, and community members in general.
• Be vigilant about observing possible child abuse/harm in their personal and professional lives.

All managers have the above responsibilities as well as ensuring 

• Their staff are doing the above.
• That child safeguarding is integrated and given a “voice” in all management processes including recruitment, induction, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field level monitoring, etc.

Safeguarding our Staff:

• The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.

Health and Safety

• The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.