Child Protection Officer at Plan International Rwanda: (Deadline 19 December 2022)

Career Opportunities: Child Protection Officer (45265)

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries.

RoLE PROFILE

role PURPOSE

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for a better life for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Rwanda Strategy statement.

Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals and in particular the goals on gender equality.

Plan International Rwanda will contribute to the access to comprehensive ECD services and the reduction of SGBV so that vulnerable children and young people, particularly girls grow up, develop and realize their rights to make decisions about their lives in protective, healthy, resilient and inclusive environments in both development and humanitarian settings

The Child Protection Officer is responsible for case management of child protection incidents in camps. He/she reports to the Protection Coordinator and supports the supervision of community volunteers including community-level protection structures on a daily basis. S/he will be responsible for providing accurate and timely documentation of activities especially case management of reported child protection incidents and ensuring the project is complying with Donor and Plan’s requirements. She/he will endeavour to comply with case management minimum standards and ensure the best coordination with key implementing partners to ensure child protection response is given through a holistic approach.

MANAGEMENT SCOPE, REPORTING LINES, KEY RELATIONSHIPS 

Direct reports:  Protection Coordinator

Key relationships 

Internal:

• DRM&R Program Manager
• Child Rights Program Manager
• Project Manager
• All DRM staff
• PUM/PAM within the refugee camp area

External: 

• UNHCR field offices
• MINEMA field offices
• Protection of implementing partners at the filed level
• Other key stakeholders supporting the realisation of the project

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN 

• High level: Frequent interaction with children

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 

• Expected to deliver the work in the refugee camp, with limited movements to the Country Office

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Case Management (70%)

• Ensure full compliance with caseworker competency and skill framework
• Use a rights-based approach in child protection -Basic knowledge of national and international legal frameworks and conventions relating to child care and protection including the UNCRC; the challenges associated with addressing children’s rights holistically with limited time/resources.
• Understanding Protection Concerns for Children-Implement measures to ensure that confidential information and sensitive documents are kept safely; ensure colleagues comply with UN standards on sexual exploitation and abuse and Plan organisational codes of conduct; ensure breaches of confidentiality are addressed with immediate effect.
• Conduct initial (rapid) assessments for CP cases and prioritize them according to risk level.
• Provides counselling and psychosocial support to children survivors of violence and abuse
• Conduct BIAs and submit them to the Protection Coordinator for review
• Ensure the case management process is well conducted till case closure and a proper filling system is in place for tracking, monitoring and confidentiality
• Encourage children and families to take part in the identification of their needs and resources during assessment; work with them to help them make informed decisions throughout the case management process; actively involve stakeholders and encourage participation
•  Regularly reports child protection cases and ensures the best interest of the child is always advocated for.
• Participation in regular protection assessments as required and where necessary
• Support the strengthening of child protection community-based systems inclusive of developing training, supervision/coaching tools, monitoring and tracking tools and improvement of referral systems
• Manage case files; input data into information management system/database, and ensure accuracy.
• Ensure good collaboration with the ongoing referral support system in place
• Provide support in the development of alternative care systems in accordance with international policies and national procedures.
• Work with supervisors and managers to arrange case conferences for complex cases and ensure children receive multi-disciplinary support
• Ensure that data collection and storage respect data protection protocols and confidentiality principle are respected.
• Maintain a database on child protection issues in the camp;
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with all the actors and stakeholders in the camps
• Collect, share and disseminate project best practices and lessons learnt on a quarterly basis and share findings with the Child Protection & GBV Coordinator
• Maintain and share the protection database and provide feedback to Community volunteers
• Submit timely reports for all field visit activities and various pieces of training and meetings including weekly and monthly reports

Human Resource (5%)

• Comply with in-house policy on Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination, as well as the code of conduct
• Identify areas where they need capacity building within CPiE and communicate them to their supervisor for escalation to HR department
• Ensure his/her performance objectives are well set, and they are contributing to key project deliverables;
• Submit to the Child Protection & GBV Coordinator plan for his/her holidays and update it accordingly and makes sure that there are no open holiday balances at the end of the year;

Monitoring Systems (10%)

• Regular follow-up to ensure all services and action points listed in the case plan are carried out within agreed time frames. Ensure that progress is regularly reviewed.
• Regularly monitor and support children and families through home visits, providing guidance, advice and emotional support, community mediation and referrals,
• Monitors community-based protection structures and manages community volunteers;
• Identify individual cases through a regular presence in the community and accept referrals from other agencies and community partners.
• Be proactive to facilitate regular surveys on the provided services;

Representation (5%)

• Work collaboratively with donors, stakeholders, Camp management, Police, district officials and other implementing partners.
• Represent the Protection Coordinator in field meetings where needed;
• Coordinate effectively with field level Donor offices, stakeholders, Camp management, district officials and other implementing partners to ensure our cause to protect children from violence is advocated for and influenced at all levels.
• Work in close coordination with field-level implementing partners to ensure a response to child protection is provided in a holistic manner.

Problems solving (10%)

• Provide counselling and support for employee relationship problems. Contribute to the assurance of Office disciple.
• Ensure all kinds of incidents in the camp are reported to the Protection Coordinator within 24 hours.
• Complies with all Plan values.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• The Child Protection Officer has a deep understanding of the SCYP and PSHEA and Gender equality and inclusion Policies and how it applies to their day-to-day work.
• Implements measures to ensure that confidential information and sensitive documents are kept safely; ensure colleagues comply with UN standards on sexual exploitation and abuse and organisational codes of conduct; ensure breaches of confidentiality are addressed with immediate effect and any other safeguarding concern is reported within 24hrs
• Work closely with the CP & GBV coordinator to raise awareness of safeguarding and PSHEA policy and ensure concerns are recorded and scaled up for further follow-up
• In collaboration with the Camp safeguarding focal point person (Protection coordinator) Ensure staff, volunteers and those who work directly with Plan, are well equipped with knowledge around safeguarding, PSHEA and gender equality to ensure no program participant is harmed by Plan staff and those associated with.
• Work closely with the safeguarding focal person at the camp level, for awareness raising of the organisation’s safeguarding commitment, reporting channels and referral pathways.

LEADERSHIP AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES 

• Be courageous in taking the lead, focussed on Plan International’s purpose and making the most effective contribution within his/her own work context.
• Behave in line with Plan international values and safeguarding practices, inside and outside work.
• Challenge his/her attitudes, unconscious bias and behaviour and speak up when seeing wrongdoing, especially by those who use their power over others to create fear or abuse.
• Understand and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to his/her work and keep their knowledge and skills up to date.
• Be Honest and efficient in use of resources, including his/her time.
• Take responsibility for his/her performance and development: reflecting; seeking and listening to feedback; learning from mistakes; finding people or resources to help him/her learn.
• Be constructive and optimistic in facing setbacks, challenges and change, using his/her initiative to analyse issues and improve things.
• Be a good team player, communicating effectively and being open and supportive towards those around him/her.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

Qualifications/ Experience Essential:

Knowledge

• University degree or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Law, Gender studies, Sociology, or related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant working experience in Child protection and working in a refugee context or in an NGO dealing with children advocacy.
• Experience working directly with children at risk.
• Experience working in case management of child protection incidents and providing regular documentation
• Knowledge and experience in working around the protection of children from violence, exploitation and abuse
• Experience working in case management of child protection incidents and providing regular documentation.
• Knowledge and experience in dealing with Safeguarding and PSHEA concerns

Languages required 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda. Knowledge of French or Swahili is an added value

Specific skills of this position:

• Excellent networking and partnership building skills
• Strong skills in monitoring, evaluation, research and conducting participatory, community-led assessments
• Excellent community mobilization skills and abilities.
• Strong training/facilitation skills.
• Good communication, facilitation and report writing skills
• Strong team-building and motivational skills
• Computer Literacy – Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programs and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

Location: Refugee Camps

Type of Role: Child Protection

Reports to: Protection Coordinator

Grade: C2

Closing Date:19-12-2022

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply using the “Apply” button below not later than 19th December 2022.