Child Protection Officer (Zahle)

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.   While working across all areas, the Child Protection Officer will focus primarily on working in the area of child and caregiver resilience. This will entail assisting the development of community-led child friendly spaces in IS, capacity building for caregivers (on parenting skills, positive discipline and improving their understanding of child/youth psychosocial issues), supporting parent groups and community child protection networks.     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 children, youth, caregivers and community memebrs. Work closely with community members to develop and support child friendly spaces and psychosocial support activities for children and youth across a number of locations and ITSs, providing training to children and community animators on child protection, child resilience, personal safety and other relevant areas.    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. 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) QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE   Bachelor’s degree in social work, development/humanitarian studies, psychology or other relevant field.   At least three years’ experience preferably in child protection or related field, or at least working with vulnerable families, caregivers, communities and individuals, and in the area of community mobilization. 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 liaising and working closely 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.     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.