Child Protection Specialist - Somaliland‎ at Plan International

ROLE PURPOSE

The Child Protection Specialist for Somaliland will be the technical lead and overall manager for to Plan International’s Child Protection programming in Somaliland, responsible for ensuring that  Plan’s CP projects are implemented to a high technical standard, representing Plan in CP coordination forums, building the capacity of partners  and government officials  on Child Protection, working closely with National Offices and leading on fundraising for Plan’s CP programming.  The incumbent will be expected to proactively identify gaps in child protection Somaliland, recommend how Plan could address these gaps, and actively seek funding to implement these recommendations.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

This position will be based in Plan International Somaliland’s office in Hargeisa, Somaliland and is responsible the overall management of the CP programme for Plan International in Somaliland, including managing CP projects, securing funding to achieve Plan’s CP programmatic ambition, represent Plan with the Somaliland government and in relevant coordination  forums and build strong partnerships and relationships with Somaliland NGOs, INGOs and UN Agencies active in the sector.  The Specialist will need to take an active role in providing technical support to partners and government officials, and provide ongoing  capacity building support to all of Plan’s partners. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Ongoing monitoring of Child Protection capacity in Somaliland and contribute to the mainstreaming of child protection into Somaliland government programming:

• Work with partnership with relevant Somaliland ministries to monitor the capacity of government departments and officials to provide gender sensitive and quality child protection services to families and communities in Somaliland using the Inter-agency Child protection Assessment Resource Toolkit.
• Use the results of assessments to make recommendations to the Government of Somaliland on how to address gaps identified, and in collaboration with CP stakeholders in Somaliland, determine priorities and areas where child protection could be improved.
• Assess in-country, human, material and financial resources available for child protection activities and identify where Child Protection could be mainstreamed into Government programmes. 
• Develop guidance for the Government of Somaliland on how Child protection could be effectively mainstreamed into their programming and policies. As needed, develop training and influencing materials to support the mainstreaming of CP into Government programmes and policies, and provide capacity building training to Government officials and partners as needed or requested.

Strengthening the capacity of local partners in Child Protection:

• The Child Protection Specialist will provide technical support to Plan International’s partner in Somaliland building the capacity of their staff to understand and use a child protection approach in their broader programming (mainstreaming). 
• In addition, this position will support Plan to identify gaps in child protection of the local partners Somaliland and recommend how Plan could address these gaps.

Ensure that Plan’s Child Protection Projects/Programme are technical sound, effectively managed and adequately resourced.

• Oversee and manage the implementation of Plan’s CP projects/programmes in Somaliland.  This will involve working closely with National Office technical CP staff to ensure that projects/programmes are based on best practices and Plan’s CP frameworks. 
• In addition, the CP Specialist will be the overall Programme Manager for Plan Somaliland’s CP project portfolio, acting as the Project Manager for smaller projects and providing technical oversight for larger projects with their own PM. 
• Finally, the CP Specialist will be responsible for leading on the CP sector fundraising and new business development, identifying potential funding opportunities, and leading the project design and proposal development process, in consultation with the Head of Mission and relevant National Office staff.

Develop and implement a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) framework that measures the effectiveness of Plan’s CP programming. 

• Working closely with Plan International Global and Regional Hub Monitoring and Evaluation staff, develop a Country Office CP MEAL Framework. 
• Ensure that learnings are captured and shared with CP stakeholders in Somaliland, as well as with internal CP colleagues. 
• Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality and accountability mechanisms, as well as feedback from the relevant stakeholders is considered throughout all phases of Plan’s CP project design and implementation activities.

Coordinate information sharing on Plan’s CP work in Somaliland and act as Plan’s primary representative on child protection programming in Somaliland:  

• Represent Plan to the Somaliland government and other CP stakeholders as needed and agreed with the Head of Mission. Represent Plan child protection coordination mechanisms including any relevant cluster/sub - cluster.
• Work closely with the Head of Mission on resource mobilization, including development of quality concept notes and proposals and donor engagement.
• Work with Plan’s communication team to support the publishing and dissemination of articles, case studies, success stories and presentations highlighting Plan’s CP work in Somaliland.

Effectively manage the CP Sector budget:

• The incumbent will be responsible for managing the overall budget for Plan Somaliland’s CP sector programming, ensuring that budgets are accurate, spending is as per agreed budgets and both internal and donor financial reports for the sector are accurate.      

Oversee and manage both internal and external reporting for the CP programme sector

• Ensure that Plan International Somaliland is providing quality and timely reports to donors, National Offices and the Global/Regional Hub.

Ensure that the CP programme sector has a high performing team that is delivering on its objectives in a timely and effective manner.

• Coordinate and/or implement the recruitment of technical and field staff for the CP programme sector, ensuring that recruitment is completed as per both Plan’s policies and practices, as well as the Government of Somaliland’s policies. 
• Ensure that the CP team’s performance objectives are well set and effectively managed using Plan’s performance management system. 

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

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International's Code of Conduct (CoC) ensuring that concersna are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Leads the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they are properly inducted on and understands thier role in upholding plan internationals safeguarding  and GEI policies. 
• Ensures that Plan Internatioanal's  global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People ,Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to day work in Programme team.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

• University degree in social work, a social science or another related field with a minimum of 7 years (of which at least 5 in the field) of progressively responsible professional experience in child protection.
• Experience conducting child protection assessments and technical expertise in implementing community-based child protection mechanisms.
• Experience training staff/partners on child protection using participatory learning approaches
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills, and
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to effectively influence senior managers and communicate clearly and effectively at all levels, and to maintain this under pressure.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, Sphere and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct.
• Demonstrated ability to network and liaise with major child protection actors (UNICEF, WVI, Save the Children, etc)
• Experience mainstreaming Child Protection in project design and implementation, and developing participatory monitoring and evaluation frameworks

• Able to work collaboratively with teams and disaster affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
• Able to work independently, with strong organizational and work prioritization skills and attention to detail.
• Well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills
   
  Desirable

• Somali language skills desired
• Experience working in Somalia or with Somali populations in Kenya/Ethiopia

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

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