Child Protection Officer at Plan International

Role Purpose

• The crisis in north-east Nigeria has significant impact on women, girls men and boys especially adolescent. Child Protection incidences and psychosocial distress have been identified as key challenges facing boys and girls including adolescents.
• Plan International is expecting funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) through a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to ensure that vulnerable individuals in North-East Nigeria are protected in their communities and receive support when they experience harm.
• In this regard, Plan International is recruiting for Child Protection Officers to lead and lead the implementation of Case Management for unaccompanied and separated children, children formerly associated with armed groups (CAAG) and other vulnerable children affected by armed conflict as well as ensuring a strong community based mechanism that supports Child Protection and Psychosocial response in line with International best practices and relevant guidelines and standards.
• The post holder is expected to have strong Child Protection Case Management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support background and knowledge as well as strong community engagement skills.
• Initial contract of 12 months with possibility of extension of up to 24 months based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding. Initial appointment to this role is contingent upon approval of grant by the donor and availability of funding.

Dimension of Role

• The post holder is responsible to oversee activities at the LGA level including providing direct line management responsibilities to 8 Child Protection Case Workers and 10 Community Volunteers, in 4 LGAs of Borno State and will ensure Case Management standard are met in line with Plan International internal SOP as well as the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Actions (CPMS).
• The post holder is expected to communicate widely within Plan International Nigeria and with local implementing partners as well as community stakeholders.
• He/she will provide direct supervision and coaching support to Case Workers and Social Workers from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. The role will include strong facilitation, capacity building and participatory rural appraisal skills.  

Key Roles/Responsibilities

• Responsible to coordinate with other child protection agencies on case management.
• Provide technical and management leadership to Case Workers in accordance with best practice and Plan policies, including its child-centered community-based approach.
• Responsible to make sure case management, referral and information management systems are in place for appropriate identification, responses and follow-up for unaccompanied and separated children and children at risk of violence, abuse exploitation and neglect.
• Responsible to review all case files and ensure all cases admitted into the case management system are properly assessed, planned for and prioritized based on Plan International approved case prioritization check list.
• Responsible to identify capacity building needs for Case Workers and Community Volunteers are identified and provide training and support based on needs and gaps identified.
• Lead community assessments and community based service mapping and development of referral pathway.
• Oversees the establishment and or activation of community based child protection committees (CBCPC) and adolescent peer groups in project locations and ensure their functionality through regular meetings and support
• Organize and lead training of service providers including community based stakeholders in Child Protection and in working with children including responding to child survivors of GBV.
• Lead establishment of Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) and ensure activities in Child Friendly Spaces meet standards as per Plan International SOPs and quality benchmarks.
• Lead the set-up of parenting sessions and establishment of parent support groups and ensure foster parents and mentors for children formerly associated with armed groups (CAAG) participate in parenting sessions.
•  Responsible to communication with Project Coordinator and CPiE Specialist to integrate appropriate Child Protection in emergencies priorities in program design
• Conduct regular case review meetings and conferences, conducted to reflect on progress and to accommodate the lessons learned and improve case management system accordingly; [participate in Best Interest Determination as appropriate].
• Provide support to Family Tracing and Reunification activities in collaboration with implementing agencies
• Provide guidance to Case Workers for the identification of alternative care families and children in alternative care receive adequate supervision and follow up.
• Collaborate with other project staff to ensure referrals to other services such as psychosocial support, Mental health and education/livelihoods interventions
• Responsible to develop weekly and monthly activity plan with clear and achievable mile stones
• Produce highly quality weekly and monthly activity reports for Case Management, Psychosocial Activities and Community Based Child Protection Mechanism work including CBCPC and Adolescent peer groups.
• Responsible to represent Plan International at LGA level coordination mechanism.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge
Essential:

• Bachelors’ degree in Psychology, Social Work, Law, Disaster Management or related field. Master’s degree in related field of studies is an advantage
• Proven track record of experience working in a similar role within NGO, INGO or UN system for at least 3 years in humanitarian response.
• At least 2 years of experience leading Case Management response for UASC and CAAFAG
• Proven track record of experience supervising and managing a team in a cross-cultural setting
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and mentoring of staff
• Experience working with case files and databases and providing regular documentation preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of the skills necessary to work with children and particularly vulnerable children
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, think and plan strategically, and communicate with key actors in a dynamic and unpredictable operating environment
• Excellent community mobilization skills
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, research and conducting participatory, community-led assessments
• Knowledge of Sphere and established international child protection/GBV standards, methodology and tools
• Knowledge of community mobilization and facilitation techniques
• Computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability and willingness to work in a participatory manner with a diverse range of client communities
• Fluency in written and spoken English and knowledge of local language (Hausa, Kanuri, Shua) strongly desired
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.

Desirable:

• Proven track record of experience working in a similar role within NGO, INGO or UN system for at least 3 years in humanitarian response
• Strong experience implementing Case Management
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Case Management Supervision and Coaching and proven track record of experience implementing Supervision and Coaching practices and tools.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Minimum Standard for Child Protection in Humanitarian Actions, Core Humanitarian Standards, GBV Guidelines and SPHERE Standards.
• Strong understanding and familiar with local context of the post location as well as the local language and culture.

Location: Maiduguri, Borno   Application Link

Location: Mubi, Adamawa   Application Link

Location: Damaturu, Yobe   Applicatiopn Link