Technical Officer, Child Protection - Safe Healing & Learning at FHI 360

Job Description

• The Technical Officer-Child Protection/SHL provides technical and programmatic leadership PSS and SHLs subsector within the Protection Sector to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables in terms of outputs, outcomes, and impact to contribute to the attainment of the IHANN IV project’s sub-purpose for protection, which is the improvement of the overall well-being of vulnerable individuals through increased access to integrated GBV, PSS and child protection services.
• Under the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the TO- Child Protection SHL will ensure the effective delivery of the child protection commitment regarding PSS and SHL programming in target locations namely Bama (Bama town and Banki), Mobbar (Damasak) and Ngala LGAs, Borno State. S/He will be responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of Safe Healing and Learning Spaces as per the available SHLS toolkits with a focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). In addition, S/ He will be responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of Adolescent clubs and mentorship initiative. With the overall responsibility of managing the SHLS based activities, the TO- SHL will work hand in hand with the Senior Technical Officer (STO) -Child Protection as well as the STO-GBV to ensure smooth coordination and referral between case management, CP prevention activities and SHLS activities.
• Responsibilities also include providing technical oversight for development, designing, planning, implementation, and capacity-building of CP/SHL subsector staff (Assistant Technical Officers/ATOs) and relevant stakeholders, regular monitoring, and supervision missions to different locations, developing draft reports, concept notes as well as project proposals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• With the support and under the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the TO- Child Protection SHL is responsible for the following tasks:

Program implementation:

• Develop a PSS/ SHLS specific detailed implementation plan (DIP) and monitor its implementation and providing an updated workplan to the Protection Coordinator at the end of each month.
• Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator and in close collaboration with the STO-CP, adapt SHLS specific indicators and monitor its attainment.
• Lead the development of a selection criteria for children to be enrolled in SEL classes.
• Provide technical staff to field based staff in the development of SHLS activity schedules for SEL and outdoor activities.
• Prepare and facilitate trainings for ATOs on SHLS methodology and provide day to day coaching and mentoring to staff to ensure quality delivery of SEL classes and other activities at the SHLS.
• Support field-based staff to recruit and train SHLS facilitators and conduct mentoring sessions for them.
• Lead the development of SHLS activity schedules and support the field staff to customize the activity schedule considering security, access and other variables that may affect the schedule.
• Develop peer educator guides and other IEC materials for use by facilitators during adolescent peer education sessions.
• In coordination with the STO- Child Protection and the Protection Coordinator, adapt key messages in SEL to the local context ensuring that they meet the social and psychological needs of displaced children. Where necessary support translation of specific sessions into Hausa.
• Review the adolescent’s mentorship guides and ensure they are adapted to the local context.
• Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator, conduct Adolescent situational analysis for adolescents affected by conflict in the project implementation sites.
• Support field staff to conduct a youth programming service mapping and develop a specific referral pathway to facilitate referral for vocational training, case management and other relevant services.
• Lead the initiation and implementation of adolescent projects in each LGA and conduct a post project evaluation on the effects of the project on the community and leadership of participating adolescents.
• Provide technical support to the ATO – SHL to set up adolescent peer educator’s club for education on Child Protection and life skills
• In collaboration with the ATOs SHL, ensure that all supplies and equipment required for the SHLS are available on time to each field location.
• Support the ATOs SHL in the development of games and activities that promote the cognitive and social development of children.
• Actively engage in conducting needs assessments for program implementation in new areas.
• Actively collaborate with GBV sub-sector and other IHANN IV sectors (Health, WASH and Nutrition) to seek program synergies and opportunities for innovative integration and to ensure comprehensive assistance to the crisis-affected populations.
• Conduct regular field-based visits to monitor implementation of SEL classes ensuring each module is covered as the SEL manual minimum standards are met as per the SHLS toolkit.
• Adapt the SHLS quality audit checklist to the Borno State context and use the checklist to conduct quarter quality of service delivery audit.
• Using available feedback tools, collect feedback and collate a report on feedback provided with a workplan to implement corrective measures, in close collaboration with M& E Department.
• Develop and implement a feedback collection questionnaire for adolescent clubs’ members to effects of the adolescent mentor sessions and document lessons learnt and best practices.  
• Contribute to the development of concept notes and new proposals, including preparation of narrative and budgets.
• Ensure SHL is mainstreamed in all the sectors and internal referrals are made and responded to.
• Regularly attend Protection Staff bi-weekly meetings.
• Regularly attend bi-weekly Protection management meeting ( PMT).
• Maintain flexibility to perform other job -related duties as requested by the Supervisor.

Supportive supervision:

• In collaboration with the STO- Child Protection and under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator, develop supervision plans for the project staff based in the field.
• Conduct monthly field visits to carry out technical supportive supervision and provide with all necessary technical coaching and guidance for CP/SHL field staff.
• Submit field visit reports with clear action plans to improve effectiveness of program implementation to Protection Coordinator.
• In coordination with the M & E team, conduct quarterly data quality audits.

Reporting:

• Share with the Protection Coordinator key updates on CP-SHL sub-sector for IHANN IV bi-weekly meetings.
• Compile and consolidate bi-weekly, monthly, semester report as well as annual reports for CP/SHL and submit to the Protection Coordinator for review.
• Compile supervision and other related technical reports – surveys etc, done and submit to the Protection Coordinator for review.
• Work closely with the M&E team to verify and validate CP-SHL data for quality reporting.

Other responsibilities:

• Adhere to the child protection guiding principles, Code of Conduct, FHI 360 Child Safeguarding and PSEA policy always.
• Where needed, support the STO-Child Protection to implement other CP related activities.

Coordination:

• Represent FHI 360 in the CP sub sector working group, CP Case management working group, MHPSS working group and other relevant platforms when the STO-Child Protection or Protection Coordinator are not around and share updates with the Protection Coordinator.
• Support the compilation of CP/SHL sub sector reporting – 5Ws and other related reporting as required by the sub sector.
• Liaise with relevant partners, local authorities, and communities whenever it serves the objectives of the project in protection/ CP-SHL.
• Ensure FHI 360 is effectively represented if relevant coordination meetings at filed level across target locations.
• Financial management and operational support
• Develop draft financial pipelines monthly and submit to the Protection Coordinator for review.
• Ensure sub-sector planned activities are in line with the budget and are implemented in a timely manner.
• Actively participate in the Protection Sector budget revision.
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, develop procurement plans for new projects / areas of project implementation.
• Develop sector purchase requests as per the approved procurement plans and submit to logistics for processing.
• Develop project material distribution plans and follow-up with logistics to ensure timely delivery of materials to the field sites. Ensure all materials are correctly dispatched to the field locations and received in the correct quantities.

Qualifications and Requirements

• B.Sc / BA in Sociology, Psychology, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, or its recognized equivalent with at least 7 years of relevant experience with NGO or CBO.
• Or MS / MA Degree in Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, or its recognized equivalent with 3-5 years relevant experience.
• 3-5 years relevant experience in Child Protection programming and managing child protection projects in humanitarian settings. Knowledge and experience implementing the SHLS approach is mandatory.
• Familiarity with Nigerian law enforcement systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Knowledge and experience working on child protection in in emergencies (CPiE)
• Strong skills in child protection programing (emergency recovery, and development, specifically prevention and response to family separation, case management approaches, reintegration, etc), understanding of Best Interest Procedures and community-based protection approaches.
• Proven understanding and experience applying Child protection guiding principles and approaches as well as implementing the CP minimum standards within projects.
• Proven advocacy skills and experience with engagement on protection issues within the humanitarian infrastructure; has knowledge of and experience in engaging the cluster system in IDP camps or coordination mechanisms in refugee camps.
• Experience in working with children and adolescent in humanitarian settings.
• Experience conducting CP/PSS trainings, including individual case management and Psychological First Aid (PFA).
• Experience implementing SHL program for adults and children or other participatory learning approaches.
• Knowledge and experience in community-based protection mechanisms, especially those related to Child protection.   
• Experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management, and donor reporting.
• Solid planning, organizational and reporting skills.
• Excellent computer and IT skills, and strong protection data management skills.
• Strong oral and writing communication skills.
• Excellent team building and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability for rapid analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies.
• Multitask with ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English & Hausa communication. Knowledge of Kanuri and Shuwa Arab an added advantage.
• Good communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Understanding and commitment to child’s rights and child protection issues
• Ability to work in hardship areas and willingness to frequently travel to field sites (50% of time).
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervisions.