Child Protection Technical and Implementation Senior Manager - Beirut - National Candidates Only

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. 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. IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world.

IRC has been implementing specialized Child Protection Programming both through direct implementation Child Labour programming in Tripoli, Akkar, and Arsal, as well as capacity strengthening initiatives on core technical areas including Child Protection Case management and Access to Justice for children. Capacity Strengthening Initiatives include a Nationwide Child Protection Interagency Coaching Program strengthening skills of case workers, case managers, and community volunteers in core competencies of child protection, in addition to other capacity strengthening initiatives which strengthen core skills key national stakeholders such as lawyers. IRC plays an active role in various coordination forums including co-leading the National Case Management Task Force, and consistently participating in the National Child Protection working group, in addition to other local coordination forums.

Job Overview/Summary:

Reporting to the CP Coordinator, The CP Technical and implementation Senior Manager is responsible for the oversight of implementation of CP direct and partners’ services in all CP Areas of Implementation, ensuring all program models are implemented with quality, in coordination with CP coordinator. The Senior manager directly supervises and provides management support to the CP field teams and ensures programmatic strategies and best practices are shared across field teams and partners. The Senior manager also ensures program implementation is clearly planned, tracked, documented, and aligned with overall program goals and objectives. Senior manager supports with external representation on both field and national levels.

Program Implementation and Coordination:

• Solicit children and client’s feedback on program implementation on a bi-monthly basis to ensure our programs are client focused and child centered.
• Conduct regular case review meetings, case audits, and more in-depth analysis of outcomes for specific cases such as sexual abuse, and/or cases of trafficking and exploitation. Identify specific targeted action required following analysis to improve outcomes for children. Provide close supervision and support to case workers children’s cases which require judicial protection in close coordination with the CP Coordinator.
• Develop project management and planning tools in line with the CP program vision and objectives.
• Support business development of the program by drafting proposals, meeting with key stakeholders by promoting findings, learning outcomes.
• Support in the brainstorming of developing new budget for new projects.
• In coordination with the CP Coordinator strategize on business development opportunities in line with outcomes of assessments of needs.
• Oversee and monitor the implementation of CP services in in the areas of implementation in close coordination with CP Coordinator and roll out and oversee partnership activities in the field,
• Adapt and update relevant project management tools in a timely manner, based on contextual changes
• Standardize operational and field implementation plans, strategies, and processes across field teams
• Track progress against deliverables and address gaps systematically.
• Ensure timely and clear dissemination of information across field teams.
• Provide timely status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverables, challenges, and support needed.
• Closely coordinate with IRC other department for program integration.
• Regularly attend related sector working group and coordination meetings.
• Identify potential local actors from the field for partnership opportunities.
• Liaise and coordinate with local and international NGOs, UN agencies, authorities, relevant stakeholders as needed.

Human Resources Management:

• In coordination with HR, support in the recruitment of CP program field staff.
• Supervise field-based CP teams, ensuring accountability to IRC policies and donor rules and regulations
• Supervise, coach, support and motivate CP field teams; discuss, and review goals, performance objectives, and expectations with direct reports; provide regular and timely performance feedback.
• Support building the technical skills of staff who are new to report writing, this includes developing structured capacity building plans for individual staff, and guiding staff to oversee core technical components of the program using competency frameworks.
• Monitor staff performance and complete semi – annual performance reviews with direct reports.
• Conduct weekly coordination meetings with CP field teams.
• Provide the teams with clear guidance on processes related to procurement, financial, and administrative tasks; provide the teams with support on the execution of tasks as needed.
• Promote a positive working environment and encourage collaboration and coordination across teams
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures.

Technical Quality:

• Establish a standard qualitative reporting mechanism in coordination with the MEAL unit to document progress, achievements, address challenges and identify the needed support.
• Support and coordinate closely with the Child Protection coordinator on the pilot of the trainings and capacity building plans related to scaling activities.
• Set capacity building plans that are tailored to the CP team’s needs, in coordination with the Child protection coordinator.
• Set, in coordination with the child protection coordinator, mechanisms for program quality supervision and provision of technical support to CP field teams.
• Work closely with IRCs partnership department and IRC partners towards shared objectives, leading on trainings for partner agencies, adapting tools to the partner’s needs, conducting learning workshops and overseeing program implementation.
• Contribute to each portfolio of the program by leading on specific technical work streams to increase the overall impact of a specific project- this includes Access to Justice, Case Management Systems Strengthening, Child Labour work, and Coaching Program.
• Identify key areas to assess the technical develop, this position will conduct needs assessments with relevant institutions to assess the technical capacity strengthening and potential partnership opportunities with the aim of designing interventions and implementation as needed in close coordination with the CP coordinator.

Business development:

• Work closely with CP Coordinator, CP field managers in generating quality and timely donor reports.
• Drive the development of specific technical components of the program to improve both quality of services, produce learning products, and increase the visibility of specific components of the program.
• Support the CP Coordinator in developing new project proposals that would address gaps and needs identified through program implementation.

Coordination and Representation:

• Represent IRC in meetings with key stakeholders consistently promoting children’s best interests as the primary consideration in meetings and workshops in close coordination with the CP Co.
• Work closely with the CP Coordinator to represent IRC in specific forums, including assuming full responsibilities for specific work streams to further child protection outcomes both for the program and sector.
• Develop positive and collaborative relationships with numerous government stakeholders, to promote children’s best interests.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Child Protection Program Coordinator
Indirect Reporting:   N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Other IRC departments

Internal: CP Managers, Grants, Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Grants and Finance departments

External:  Key Ministries such as Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Child Protection Working Group, Donors, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Access to Justice and Child protection case management agencies, and IRC partners   

Job Requirements:

• University degree in social work, human rights, social sciences and/or other related issue-mandatory.
• Master’s degree in social issues preferable.

Work Experience:

• Five years professional experience Minimum in NGO/UN related and child protection settings.
• Work experience working on setting up systems, programs developing tools, reporting and proposal writing, budget management & oversight.
• Work experience working on programs developing tools, reporting and proposal writing, budget management & oversight.
• Demonstrate ability to be self-motivated, work independently.
• Demonstrated experience in maintaining persistence when identifying issues, drafting action plans-and following through with advocacy and lobbying – even when facing multiple challenges and delays.   
• Experience in working in Child Protection programs in emergencies and development contexts.
• Proven experience working in emergencies.
• Strong written and communication skills as well as planning and time management.
• Ability to represent IRC at Ministry level in coordination meetings, at a regional and national level.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Committed to teamwork, and contributing to improving child protection outcomes.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to oversee multi-task, organize workload and oversee varied. components of programming and coordination.
• Strong facilitation skills for case management colleague.
• Demonstrated experience in managing budgets and writing donor reports.
• Experience identifying strategic priorities and following through with identified strategic objectives.
• Strong commitment to Child Protection and IRCs Child Safeguarding policy.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English mandatory, and Arabic.

Working Environment: 

The position will be based in Beirut, with frequent travel to field sites in the Bekaa, Akkar and Tripoli and other locations as needed.

Standards of Professional Conduct: 

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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 maternity leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.