Child Protection Officer - Zahle

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration.  Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon. Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, in the following locations Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Bekaa:   ROLE PURPOSE: As a member of the Child Protection Team, and under the direct supervision of the Child Protection Coordinator (and overall guidance of the Child Protection Program Manager), the Child Protection Officer will be responsible for implementing project activities related to Save the Children’s Child Protection Programme, which includes interventions in the area of psychosocial support for children and youth, community-based child protection mechanisms, capacity development and support for parents and caregivers, strengthening youth and community resilience.   The Child Protection Officer will contribute to developing and planning activities on the ground and ensuring that they are of high technical quality. The Child Protection Officer will conduct regular monitoring and reporting, flagging issues and challenges and proposing changes to project activities to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness. The Child Protection Officer will be an important interface with the Lebanese and Syrian refugee community and will be required to work closely with community leaders, community members, parents, youth and children.   The Child Protection Officer’s work will focus primarily on community and youth resilience and mobilization and on strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms. This will entail assisting in the development of Child Protection and Youth Networks in ITSs and communities, organizing and overseeing life skills training and informal education, and supporting youth to conduct community and referral pathway mapping, design and conduct community initiatives and projects, and develop awareness raising activities on child protection, psychosocial support, youth resilience, adolescent sexual reproductive health and other related areas. The CP officer will be required to develop and conduct relevant capacity building activities and trainings, as well as work with parents and caregivers on parenting skills, positive discipline and improving their understanding of child/youth psychosocial issues and support.   The Child Protection Officer will work across a number of locations and ITSs (approx. 16) and will be supported by other CP Officers and CP Assistants.     KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   Direct responsibilities: Support the identification of beneficiaries and suitable sites/location for the implementation of project activities and participate in needs assessments and collecting relevant data Participate in the design of project activities, monitoring systems and capacity building activities for partners, community member and children. Work closely with community members, youth and leaders across a number of locations and ITSs to: (1) organize and oversee like skills training and informal education for youth: (2) establish community Child Protection and Youth Networks and support these networks to become focal points in their communities for CP and assist them to conduct youth-led projects and awareness raising activities on CP, ARSH, PSS; (3) conducting events and recreational activities for youth and vulnerable groups. Work closely with parents and caregivers on developing their parenting skills, understanding and responding to the psychosocial challenges that they and their children may be facing, and mobilizing to improve community child protection mechanisms.  Support, coach and mentor CP Assistants, community animators and volunteers, monitor their work on the ground and provide guidance and oversight   Provide technical input and deliver (or support the delivery of) activities in the area of child and family-focused protection, psychosocial support, youth-adolescents life skills, community child protection mechanisms, and capacity building (including integrated work with other SC sectors, such as education, shelter, health, food security and livelihoods). Work across different contexts, including local communities, informal settlements, community child-friendly spaces, with a particular focus on outreach work and support (in line with organizational strategy) Assist in the organisation and implementation of awareness sessions in informal settlements, local communities and community child-friendly centers for children, adolescents, parents and communities members. Build links between community-based initiatives and referral pathways to allow a more efficient access to services, and constitute an interface between local/refugee communities and the program, maintaining and managing relations with community leaders and members, local authorities, community-based organizations and NGOs. Draft weekly, monthly, progress and other reports, as required. Work closely with other Child Protection Team members across projects, sharing information and providing mutual support With the Child Protection team, contribute to developing and implementing project work plans, weekly plans and schedules, and setting clear targets. Liaise on a daily basis with partners, community and Save the Children supervisors and colleagues to guarantee the smooth operation of the programmes. Prepare financial and administrative documentation related to project activities, such as purchase and procurement requests, invoices, etc Ensure that data for assessments, reports, monitoring, evaluation and activity progress is collected accurately and on a regular basis. Facilitate, collect and report information regarding the overall situation of the Syrian refugee children and their families in the community, with specific attention paid to the programme targeted children and programme objectives (informing the direct supervisor about any challenges, difficulties and concerns in the implementation of activities or issues in the social context). Ensure a strict adherence to the principles of child protection and child safeguarding at all times, including respect for confidentiality and always acting in the best interests of the child. Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures. In agreement with CP Coordinator and CP Program Manager, perform other required duties within reason (in line with your skills and experience)   SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS  Accountability: Is accountable for the implementation of the Child Protection in Emergency activities under the supervision of the Child Protection coordinator. Holds him/herself accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently and achieves and role models Save the Children’s 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 him/herself (and his/her team), takes responsibility for his/her own personal development and encourages others to do the same. Widely shares Save the Children’s vision and engages and motivates others. Is future orientated and thinks strategically. Collaboration: Builds and maintains effective relationships, with his/her team, colleagues, beneficiaries, external partners and supporters. Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength. Is approachable, a good listener and can communicate well. Creativity: Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions. Is willing to take disciplined risks. Integrity: Is honest, encourages openness and transparency.    QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE   Bachelor’s degree in social work, development/humanitarian studies, psychology or other relevant field.   At least three years’ experience working with youth, children, vulnerable communities and individuals, and preferably also in the area of community mobilization. Demonstrated experience and/or excellent understanding of child rights, child protection, psychosocial support, child and youth development, child and youth resilience and empowerment, adolescent sexual reproductive health, community development and human rights. Proven experience in community and/or youth mobilization, and community awareness-raising activities. Experience coordinating, organizing and overseeing activities and trainings across projects, including developing plans, recruiting and managing community volunteers and facilitators, preparing activity and training reports, and liaising with community leaders and local authorities. Experience working in the current emergency context following the Syrian crisis. Proven experience in capacity building, coordinating activities, developing plans and drafting reports. Proven analytical skills and capacity to determine strategies Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, and capacity to maintain relations with community leaders, members, children and youth. Flexibility and adaptability, and willingness to work in informal settlements, sometimes in difficult conditions and with limited resources Fluency in written and spoken Arabic, good written and spoken English. Flexibility and willingness to change work practices and hours and capability to work in insecure volatile environment. Commitment  to  and  understanding  of  Save  the  Children’s  aims,  values  and principles  including rights-based approaches and child safeguarding policies and procedures. Familiarity with the Bekaa region and context.   APPLICATION PROCESS  Please note that the closing date for applications is: October 9th, 2014   The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process. STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •           Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •           Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •           CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •           Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •           Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •           Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to Lebanonhrz@savethechildren.org   Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.