Child Protection Project Officer-(Zahle Or Baalbek )

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps is a UNICEF partner in the No Lost Generation campaign, directly working to contribute to the Regional Response Plan 6 target of providing 300,000 children with a protective environment and 382,000 children and adolescents with initiatives to broaden their opportunities, which includes alternative learning for 50,000. As part of Mercy Corps’ next phase of programming, two strands of work will be undertaken in the Beqaa, Nabatiyeh and South Lebanon governorates: i) Emotional and social well-being of children, adolescents and their caregivers are improved through structured and semi-structured community-based psychosocial support activities; and ii) Communities and local and national authorities are mobilised to form community-based networks and have increased access to information and strengthened capacities for psychosocial and child protection interventions. Mercy Corps will work with children, adolescents, caregivers, and their communities at Levels 1 and 2 of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and using the list of 225 Most Vulnerable Localities, Mercy Corps will target areas with the highest concentration of refugee in underserved municipalities. The geographical area will be seven districts within Beqaa, South and Nabatiyeh governorates, specifically in Hermel,Baalbek, Zahle,West Beqaa, Nabatiyeh, Saida and Sour.  To address the individual and group psychosocial needs, a range of activities must be implemented that engage the general community at Levels 1, while also identifying and referring more vulnerable children and adolescents and providing focused services to address their specific issues at Levels 2. Mercy Corps will be working with Lebanese partners to undertake a range of activities to achieve the objectives of the program.  GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Child Protection Project Officer will ensure day-to-day field management, supervision and coordination of all the activities implemented by both Mercy Corps and its partners taking place during the lifetime of the “Psychosocial Support for Children, Caregivers and Communities (PSS4CCC)” program in the Beqaa and South Lebanon. The Child Protection Program Officer will work closely both with Mercy Corps staff and those of our partners to ensure that day to day activities are implemented according to schedule, and required quality. The Child Protection Project Officer reports directly to the Protection Project Manager with written and oral activity. The Child Protection Project Officer will maintain impartiality and neutrality in dealing with all stakeholders. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Support the Child Protection Project Manager and MC technical team in implementing project activities; Support the Child Protection Project Manager and MC technical team in implementing project activities in their day-to-day support of partners; Provide day to day supervision of local partners including administrative, financial and logistical support; Conduct regular site visits to ensure proper delivery of activities and report to Child Protection Project Manager and Area Manager on any challenges and bottlenecks; Maintain close regular contact with local NGO partners to provide support and trouble shoots any administrative problems; Attend team coordination meetings and maintain regular contact with consultants and volunteers; Assist Area Manager and program management in filing and record keeping of project activities and data entry of program statistics as requested; Work closely with MC’s protection and GBV Advisors who will provide advice to the staff on psychosocial support and case management. Assist with security monitoring to ensure MC staff, assets and partners are able to work securely; Attend the workshops and trainings when asked for; Utilize and take care of all the MC assets and equipments according to the policies; Work with and coach appointed Syrian Refugee Focal Points to support project activity implementation; Prepare weekly field reports to be submitted to the project manager; Ensure the close coordination and sharing of information between the various activities of the (PSS4CCC) program staff including Area Manager, Psychosocial Advisers, Senior Psychosocial Support Officers, Community Mobilisers, Psychosocial Assistants; Ensure close coordination with relevant organizations implementing emergency response in the Bekaa and the South; Assist in filing and record keeping of program activities; Implement Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy and applies Do No Harm approaches; Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.  KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Understanding of emergency response. Strong management and communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving. Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members. Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon and Syrian crisis. Prior experience working in the Beqaa and South Lebanon. SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Child Protection Project Officer will combine coordination skills and experience in mobilizing community groups. S/He will have an outstanding ability to prepare, implement and manage innovative activities within the current and future programme structure of Mercy Corps in West Beqaa. S/He will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and community mobilization, communication, and strong analytical skills. Able to learn about: emergency response, child protection and Gender Based Violence in addition to other topics. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.