Child Protection Focal Point

Background

To support the growing needs of children and youth in Lebanon, Amel has launched the Makani project, a Multi-Service Community Centre (MSCC) Approach, through 8 community centers and shelters during the current emergency. The project will provide a comprehensive package of integrated services targeting marginalized and vulnerable children and youth aged 0-18 years and their caregivers in the Governorates of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The MSCCs are safe spaces that provide vulnerable children and their caregivers with a range of programs, including Education, Child Protection, Early Childhood Development (ECD), Life Skills and youth engagement support through a community-based approach, to reach both Syrian and Lebanese vulnerable children in both host communities, collective, and Informal Settlements. 

The Child Protection (CP) focal point is responsible for follow up of child protection programs/activities within Amel in line with child protection quality standards

The CP focal point will work to facilitate the adequate and timely response to children’s basic needs, while ensuring that children and families are linked and referred to services that address their social, educational, health, emotional, psychological and protection needs. The introduction of this function will ensure an expansion of outreach and access to households, particularly those that are especially vulnerable, as well as regular referral of families to adequate services to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed – where possible – before families face serious breakdowns. The CP focal point will be supported through a package of training that at a minimum includes Child Protection minimum standards and safe identification and referrals and QUDWA.

Main responsibilities

Responsibility #1: Providing oversight and supervision to staff

• Oversee Community care workers  as they provide CP service for children;
• Apply assessment skills, and make determinations regarding appropriate course of Action for CP concerns
• Monitoring of local protection risks and ensuring referral of most vulnerable children facing protection concerns within the community to more specialized Child Protection services (within MAKANI centers it will be linked to safe identification and referrals to response services);
• Promote best interest of the child approach while working with children
• Be available to participate in CP meetings and case conferences meetings or and Other meetings when required;
• Make sure the referral files are well documented, keeping confidentiality in perspective.
• Ensure direct supervision for the staff through a regular presence in the centers and shelters

Responsibility #2: Coaching and Training the team

• The Child Protection focal point will support the capacity building of the team on multiple levels.
• She/he will be responsible for guiding them and promoting best practices to strengthen their Technical capacity, exchange knowledge within the team, and provide professional development guidance
• Supervise and mentor the community care workers, setting performance objectives, and providing regular and timely performance feedback

Responsibility #3: Monitoring

• Monitor units and staff productivity and work to maximize efficiency wherever possible;
• Support that all the M&E tools are appropriately used and stored along with the M&E officer;
• Ensure that Activity Info data is updated on a routinely basis and that all the data required for
• reporting is regularly provided;
• Be familiar with RIMS and ensure that the team are actively updating and referring cases.

Responsibility #4: Coordinating and Networking

•  Work closely with the Project Coordinator, CP officer, and filed Coordinator and FPSS facilitator to ensure that activities are well coordinated and integrated. Provide updates to ensure smooth implementation of field-based activities;
• Consult with Projects Coordinator and filed  Coordinator on a bi-weekly basis and/or more Frequently if required and/or needed;
• Draft the monthly reports and contribute to the quarterly and annual reporting (quantitative and qualitative);
• Maintain positive coordination and relationships with partners and stakeholders;
• Ensure an updated service mapping among the team and in coordination with internal and external organizations.

Other duties:

• Respect and abide to the organization’s internal code of conduct;
• Adhere to the principles and guidance of the National CP Case Management SOPs, includingmandatory reporting requirements;
• Represent Amel Association, when requested and necessary;
• Attend and participate in local and capacity-building events as needed/Actively participate in training throughout the year;
• Complete all online courses requested by the program coordinator throughout the year;
• Be available to attend and participate in internal and external meetings;
• Meetings with other program staff are required and will be on a timely basis;
• Maintain positive relations with other team members;
• Support the organization of specific events or activities inside or outside the centers; or shelters
• Support in coordinating with, head of centers, social workers and field coordinator as well as works closely and effectively with Amel teams and other focal points;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Coordinator;

Requirements, Qualifications and Skills:

• Master or Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Social work, Psychology, Humanitarian Affairs, International Development, or another relevant field. Master’s Degree in Gender Studies,social Work, or other relevant academic field with extensive experience in CP programs is a plus.
• At least 3 years practical experience in implementing protection projects at international or national NGOs.
• Knowledge of Child Protection in the humanitarian context and familiarity with the main CP tools, the Package safe identification and referrals, case management and the guidelines on PSEA.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within multi-cultural environments; good writing skills, ability to work within a team structure or independently, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.
• Demonstrated experience working with multiple age ranges including facilitating trainings and/or activities targeting children and youth