Child Protection Specialist

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Child Protection Specialist provides technical guidance and oversight on implementation across Save the Children’s child protection portfolio in Lebanon. Under the guidance of the Child Protection Technical Adviser, the position holder is expected to work closely with field operations teams across Lebanon to identify capacity gaps and support teams in ensuring high quality programmes implementing CP including linkages with the MHPSS programming. S/he will be expected to strengthen partnerships with other CP actors and develop the capacities of staff, partner staff in various CP interventions.  S/he must be proactive, results oriented, able to manage a large workload and work with diverse range of people.  S/he will be expected to work in SC’s field locations at least 70% of the time (Bekaa Valley, North, Beirut & Mount Lebanon).

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 police checking/vetting process staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Child Protection Technical Adviser

Budget responsibility: No

Key Areas of accountability:

Under the direct supervision of Child Protection Technical Adviser (CPTA) and in close coordination with other Specialists under the Child Protection portfolio (i.e.: Alternative Care Specialist and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Specialist), Area Managers and Child Protection Programme Managers in the field, the Child Protection Specialist is responsible for:

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Support the CPTA on the provision of technical input to the development of SC Strategy, country annual plans, sector strategies and other planning documents related to CP.

• Support the CPTA to ensure that the child protection programme design benefits from integration with other sectors where possible, and vice versa.

• Lead on the field level roll out of specific strategic initiatives, as directed by line manager.

Programme Quality and standards: 

Central to this role:

• Child Protection Tools: support the development and harmonization of CP technical tools and guidance on how to apply them. Develop and maintain a central database of those tools ensuring they’re regularly updated in coordination with MEAL team. 

• Child Protection needs assessment: lead in the continuous assessment of CP needs and gaps and ensure that these are appropriately reflected in sectoral strategies and programmes.

• Develop and maintain a gaps assessment to ensure SC designs projects that meet needs on the ground.

• Proactively look for and facilitate capacity building opportunities for CP field teams across offices.

• Child Protection field monitoring: Conduct regular monitoring & support visits (70% of time) to the field offices to coordinate with program teams on implementation, identify lessons learned from programs and develop joint action plans for capacity strengthening.

• Analyze and provide feedback on program implementation to ensure gender equity and adequate child participation

• Conduct an in-depth case management quality revision in coordination with relevant staff and proposition of recommendations and measures to improve case management.

• Quality of reporting: ensure a first layer of quality control of all relevant reports (donor reports, annual reports and plans etc.) by promoting results oriented report writing among field teams.

• Leading on integration of different strands of CP program with relevant Specialist and field teams (i.e: integration of MHPSS, AC, CM, Caregivers programming etc.) for a holistic CP response.

• Support TA across different sectors on integration & mainstreaming of CP

Support provided to the CP TA on:

• Provide technical expertise, quality assurance and support for Save the Children’s CP programmes, ensuring they are of high quality with reliable data and outcomes for children.

• Ensure harmonized and consistent approach to child protection response across SCI’s geographical areas.

• Promote and utilize SCI’s Common Approaches, ensuring adaptation to context.

• Ensure documentation of case studies, and lessons learned documents, and dissemination of these both internally and externally working with the PAC team.

• Ensure recognized international best practices and Save the Children policies are applied and informing programming in the work with children.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Central to this role:

• Knowledge Management: Oversee knowledge sharing across teams (making sure teams across the field offices share unified resources) and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve programmes

• Work closely with the MEAL team and CPTA on the harmonization, dissemination and adequate use of monitoring tools to assess quality of SCI and partners programmes.

• Regularly monitoring visits project sites to ensure that teams are appropriately supported

• In coordination with field offices and the PAC team, write periodical child protection updates. This will entail collecting and analysing data to produce reports outlining trends, gaps and outcomes.

Capacity Development:

Central to this role:

• Based on needs/gaps identify and in coordination with the CPTA, prepare and implement a package of CP capacity development plan across offices. This includes close coordination with MHPSS Specialist.

• Prepare the instruments to conduct a comprehensive capacity needs assessment and coordinate the development of a technical capacity development plans for SC staff and implementing partners, on CP, working with field teams to prioritise training needs and resource these appropriately.

• Capacity strengthening and support on Centrality of Protection /CAAC programming as necessary and agreed with CP TA.

• Lead capacity development initiatives with field teams and partners, on the theme CP including leveraging training resources through other stakeholders, existing available courses etc.  (also at the SC regional and global levels)

• Provide CP induction package to all newly CP staff across field offices.

• Actively support team cohesion and a positive work environment

Partnerships:

Central to this role:

• Ensure timely support to Partnerships manager and CP TA on technical identification, selection, and adequate assessment of strategic CP implementing partners,

• Develop and maintain strong coordinated working relationships with implementing partners

• Improve/strengthen coordination and technical support to local partners including National NGOs, CSOs, and Governmental bodies on child protection.

• Ensure appropriate, relevant, and timely provision of technical capacity on the CP fields as necessary and through mobilization of internal and external capacity building opportunities and sharing of all relevant materials/documents, etc.

• Commit to joint regular monitoring of implementation progress and achievement towards results, and feeding into programmatic adaptations

• Promote Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child protection, child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures with implementing partners

External Relations, advocacy and representation:

Support provided to the CP TA on:

• As alternate to the CPTA, actively engage and/or co-lead in national coordination meetings, forums and Task-Forces for child protection programing and advocacy and represent SC’s principles.

• Engage with representatives from relevant Departments of the GoL (e.g. MoSA) to develop and maintain positive relationships and potential collaborations

• Represent Save the Children in technical area to government and other agencies

• Represent Save the Children in sector working group meetings and other sector coordination forums in Lebanon, in absence of CP Adviser Adviser

• Contribute to development of advocacy messages and materials in conjunction with SC’s Policy & Advocacy unit

• Ensure and promote Save the Children’s reputation as a leading CP agency in Lebanon

• Represent Save the Children on other national/international technical networks as requested.

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self- accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children 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

• Creates a managerial environment to lead, enable and maintain our culture of child safeguarding

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same

• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a country wide/global scale

Collaboration:

• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters

• Values diversity and different people’s perspectives, able to work cross-culturally.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions

• Cuts away bureaucracy and encourages an entrepreneurial approach

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, builds trust and confidence

• Displays consistent excellent judgement

 QUALIFICATIONS

Leading and inspiring others - Demonstrates leadership in all our work, role models our values, and articulates a compelling vision to inspire others to achieve our goals for children.

Delivering results - Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organisation. 

Innovating and Adapting - Develops and implements innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in an ever changing, uncertain work and global environment.

Communicating with impact - Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and trust with others.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor degree in social work, psychology, child protection, or related field or equivalent experience;

• 4-6 years of experience in direct implementation of CP programming with children, adolescents/youth and/or caregivers or relevant experience;

• Knowledge and understanding of key Child Protection, Humanitarian Assistance, gender, and Global Development issues including disaster response, humanitarian assistance, conflict affected populations, and other related areas;

• Experience providing technical support and management CP programs;

• Experience providing technical support to case management programming

• Experience providing technical support to CAAC programming

• Proven written communication skills;

• Strong interpersonal skills – ability to work across boundaries;

• Proven ability to lead collaboratively;

• Demonstrated knowledge of development and humanitarian crisis impact on children’s protection, health, education, and overall well-being;

• Commitment to Save the Children Core Values of Accountability, Collaboration, Creativity, Innovation and Integrity.

• Experience working in a range of Middle East contexts and countries

Competencies, Skills and Behaviours

• Ability to synthesize and develop high-quality knowledge products from diverse data sources including programmatic materials and tools; outstanding gender analysis skills

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to develop strong working relationships across cultural and organizational boundaries with internal and external stakeholders, and managing through influence

• Works collaboratively with team members to drive forward progress

• Strong English and Arabic communication and writing skills are essential;

• Comfortable working independently with little supervision, as well as with receiving and accounting for direction and engaging as part of a dynamic team.

Other Requirements

• Demonstrate strong commitment to Save the Children’s Mission, Vision and Values. Previous experience with child rights programming is an asset

• Adhere to Child Safeguarding policies & procedures

• Computer literacy including Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

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.

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.