BACKGROUND: 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview:

The Child Protection (CP) Officer will work with CP staff and IRC’s implementing partner(s) to ensure that activities are provided following IRC – CP standards, including policies and strategies. She/he will oversee the provision of safe and appropriate CP response and prevention services and interventions to reduce risks faced by children and their families. The CP Officer will provide technical guidance, training, and support to the IRC CP staff and IRC’s implementing partner staff.  

Major Responsibilities

Summary statement of responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the CP/WPE manager, Senior child protection Officer and with technical support from the child protection technical unit of Addis Ababa, the Child Protection Officer will supervise, coordinate and manage the child protection (CP) program in a professional manner. She /he will demonstrate technical capability and assist the CP staff to make sure the program is holistic, upholding according to standards, procedures and principles of CP. She/he will coordinate the various services available in the East Hararge IDP site.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Program Planning Development and Implementation

• Undertake and ensure situational assessments, data collection, compiling and analyzing are to the required standard.

• Takes primary responsibility for the implementation and follow-up of CP program including development/update of relevant strategies, SOPs and referral pathways, case management, CP IMS, psychosocial support interventions, and community-based support for at-risk children including unaccompanied/separated children.

• Ensure a well-coordinated program to address needs and cases concerning Unaccompanied/ Separated children and youth living in the IDP sites.

• Support program staff in the design and implementation of effective community mobilization and awareness-raising strategies.

• Maintain standard, design and undertake diversified psychosocial support activities at the Safe Healing and Learning Space (SHLS).

• Facilitate and take a lead in the arrangement (establishment) of family-based care system or appropriate care system and promote community-based protection mechanisms, reunification of UASC with their parents /caregivers and or placement in appropriate alternative care including developing of standard process of support including case planning, referral, follow up and review of case management.

• Provide training for CP staff, implementing partners, caregiver/families and the community and opinion leaders including children.

• Strengthen protection mechanisms through mobilizing and involving the community in reducing risks and harm of (abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect) against children, set up a mechanism of documentation and responding to the needs of identified, verified, and planned cases, as well as identify gaps and build the capacity of the community along with children to be able to support harmed and at risk children and their families including unaccompanied/ separated children and promote understanding among the community on the rights of children, and ensure their access to case management services available in the IDP sites.

• Work with the community and caregivers /parents through undertaking positive parenting skills and ensuring positive parent and child communication skills.

• Responsible for planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring of the program in line with organizational and donors' guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Follow-up, monitor and supervise the implementation of program activities based on the work plan, spending plan and ensure the proper utilization and tracking of budget and materials allocated to the program.

2. Program Liaison, Coordination and Networking

• Develop and maintain skillful and effective communication and working relationships with relevant partners including children, families, community leaders and other implementing partners.

• Represent the program in all partner meetings and communicate the outcomes with program staff.

• Coordinate, lead, and facilitate regular monthly meetings with the community, children and implementing agencies and sectors including preparation of agenda and circulate the minutes of the child protection working groups (coordination body) meetings.

• In collaboration with the WPE, hold community awareness-raising campaigns/ keep fit on child protection concerns.

• Interact with Government and other partners, NGOs, UN and bilateral agencies in the different stages of CP program implementation and follow up on agreed points.

• Collaborate with other Program Officers to ensure the integration of other (Education, Health, Sanitation and CWI) programs.

• Ensure accountability and collaborate with the Operations Sections to establish and maintain sound internal controls according to financial and supply management requirements.

• Mentor and support social workers and Assistant child protection officer and develop a positive team spirit to encourage innovative and quality programming

3. Program Monitoring and reporting 

• Initiate/ Participate in Periodic program review meetings with partners and community members.

• Support the CP team in ensuring the availability of accurate, complete and up-to- date information required for effective Child Protection program implementation, follow-up, review, and M&E.

• Regularly review and give feedback on the child protection program information management system and follow-up and report on the progress.

• Ensure budget utilization progress is healthy and as per the spending plan through conducting regular and periodic budget review session with the CP manager, Cp officers, finance and the SC and manage the under and overspending timely.

• Ensure all program activities and services are fully documented using agreed monitoring tools for systematic and timely data collection on activities, specifically:

• Support the maintenance of the IRC’s Information Management System(s) in line with data protection, collection and sharing standards, and CP guiding principles.

• Submit the updated weekly report and tracker on activities led, success stories, lessons learned, etc. to the designated IRC CP focal point on agreed-upon deadlines.

4. Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC Adama FO

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• University BA/BSc Degree; Master’s degree or Diploma in Social Science, Social Work, Health or Psychology/Sociology 

Preferred experience & skills: 

• University Degree with 2 years of relevant experience or postgraduate 1 year of relevant experience. Or diploma with 5 years of experience.

• NGO experience is a plus.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.

• Experience in capacity building and mentoring.

• Confirmed experience in developing competency-based training modules.

• Good understanding of CP Program approaches and practices

• Good interpersonal and problem-solving skills and flexibility

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

• Experience in working with harmed and at-risk children in NGO working system. 

Language Skills:  

• Knowledge of English is mandatory and 

• Fluent in the local language is desirable. 

Certificates or Licenses:

• Trained on CP Topics and certified will be preferred

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only online by using THIS LINK

• Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

• Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

• Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted. 

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for

• Date of application

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.