Senior Project Officer -Child Protection at Catholic Relief

Reports To: Program Manager Western

Position Type: One year

Grade: 8

Background

CRS is implementing a 4-year orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) program, MWENDO, which seeks to empower local and county-level OVC stakeholders to strengthen the formal and informal HIV and child protection systems and services and the linkages between them, including cross-sectoral service referrals and coordination to ensure quality service delivery for OVC and their households.

In year 3, MWENDO will implement Faith Community Initiative (FCI) program, priority 2 (i.e. prevent perpetration of sexual violence against children; Protect children served by PEPFAR against sexual violence while taking part in PEPFAR programs (child safeguarding policies); and Facilitate disclosure, reporting, and appropriate system responses to cases of sexual violence against children, with a focus on holding perpetrators accountable), that largely focuses on the Justice Sector response and the broader sexual violence prevention for 9-14-years old to ensure justice for children. These activities will be implemented in Busia, Kakamega, Nandi, Nyamira and Vihiga as well as supporting DCS HQ based in Nairobi

Job Summary:

As a key member of the MWENDO OVC Project team, the SPO, Child Protection will be responsible for the overall coordination and delivery of the Faith Community Initiative (FCI) strategy by Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) and LIPs in the above-mentioned counties as well as supporting DCS HQ in implementing SVAC activities. S/he will coordinate prevention and response to sexual violence against children (SVAC) activities, facilitate effective enforcement of Child Safeguarding Polices, timely reporting of cases of SVAC and ensure barriers to access to justice for children are addressed. Besides, S/he will provide technical guidance and support to CRS staff, FBOs and Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) on prevention and response to SVAC.

The SPO will work closely with other MWENDO Project Officers, Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) and the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to contribute to a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive implementation of effective child protection programs. S/he will provide monitoring and technical backstopping to FBO implementing partners to help address barriers to implementing the FBO strategy as well as access to justice for children

Job Responsibilities:

• Support coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all FCI activities that focus on prevention and response to SVAC and child protection as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Coordinate FCI activities being implemented at MWENDO CRS level (above site) including trainings on SVAC 101, Child Safeguarding, Changing Boys Into Men as well as coordination of trainings for the justice sector service providers (magistrates, probation officers, prosecutors etc) to enhance child protection in target project sites.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to FCI plans and implementation schedules. Assist LIPs in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
• Support accountability through coordination of FCI activities and assisting implementing FBOs in their efforts to collect and analyze SVAC data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with FBOs to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on technical assistance needs of the implementing FBOs and their networks. Provide technical support and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact and strengthened child protection systems and structures.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices. Actively engage in dissemination and use of relevant knowledge in the field.
• Represent CRS in meetings at county and national levels, technical working groups (TWGs), and other child protection related events as requested, to support forging relations with the MoH, DCS, FBO networks, other stakeholders, and the community.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all assigned FCI activities per donor and CRS standards and established schedules.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with partners, FBOs and their institutions and representative’s community associations and other key stakeholders.
• Support FBOs to address prevention of SVAC, conduct referrals and provide legal aid including supporting caregivers and witnesses to attend court proceedings.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and reports and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.
• Attend relevant events (meetings, conferences, etc.) on child protection and related areas to disseminate information on progress made as necessary, collect and share promising practices, promote CRS’ work, and contribute to the CRS learning agenda.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Social Science, Public Health, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in child protection, community-based care, and OVC programming and for an NGO.
• Demonstrated experience in the child protection sector in Kenya and involvement with governmental social protection systems, processes and service delivery models in Kenya.
• Experience working in consortiums with both international and local NGO partners preferred.
• Deep understanding of different administrative and non-administrative systems of accessing and working with faith leaders from different religions and denominations
• Technical and staff supervision experience a plus.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.

Personal Skills

• Strategic faith thinking as demonstrated in ability to plan and implement faith interventions in the short and medium term but with an eye for long term impact
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with FBOs and their networks and community members and inspire teamwork among diverse partners without direct supervisory responsibilities
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Required/Desired Foreign Language

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Travel Required (include percentage of required travel, if applicable)
• Up to 50% of the time to MWENDO FCI project sites

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory: Project Officer - Child Protection
• Internal: MWENDO and other CRS staff
• External: Department of Children Services (DCS), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), Justice sector service providers (Magistrates, Probation Officers and Prosecutors), Child protection networks/TWGs

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position

****Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.*