Protection Officer-Pediatric Counselor at Danish Refugee Council

Overall purpose of the role:

The holder of this position will manage a team of child protection staff to effectively implement child protection activities in Kalobeyei Settlement. The incumbent will lead the implementation of refugee and host community child protection activities ensuring compliance with relevant child protection standards including case management, children’s participation among others. He/she will directly supervise 3 Protection Assistants  and will work under direct supervision of Protection Team Leader.

Responsibilities: 

R1. Project Management and Implementation:

• Develop and implement a holistic pediatric counselling program for children at risk within and around the settlement
• Facilitate and coordinate direct professional counselling services for UAMs, separated children and other vulnerable children identified and/or referred by child protection social workers and partners
• Support planning and implementation of activities, develop necessary tools to support the child protection implementation including BIA/BID, and alternative care arrangements
• Organize counseling activities following the BID process for unaccompanied and separated children and attending BID panel meetings review of decisions.
• Ensure that all psychosocial support to children are implemented in compliance with the internal and sector quality standards and within time and budget parameters;
• Ensure proper management of the child friendly spaces within the settlement and develop tools to identify children in need of counselling through play therapy 
• Develop, design & implement child protection related information education and communication materials for use and ensure full participation of children and other protection partners.
• Draft quality concept notes, proposals, strategies, and monitoring and evaluation plans and ensure appropriate and timely implementation of these plans.
• Submit timely weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Protection Team Leader

R2. Training & Capacity development:

• Mentor and provide ongoing technical support to staff directly involved with the case management and child protection intervention through training and on-the-job training.
• Prepare a capacity building plan for the staff on the basis of identified needs and opportunities. Lead or contribute to the design of appropriate training packages on psychosocial support for children
• Facilitate training for key stakeholders on child protection standards, children rights, case management and psychosocial support.

R3. Budget Management:

• Regularly update the projects budget tracker for all project expenditure and participate in monthly BFU reviews with the finance team
• Actively support in grant monitoring through development of detailed/activity implementation work-plan, phased budget, procurement plans, and conduct budget tracking and narrative/financial reporting on outputs  

R4. Coordination & Partnership:

• Ensure effective representation and active participation by DRC in the CP Working Group, MHPSS and BID panel Monthly Coordination Meetings and ensure follow up on action points internally and with other partners
• Promote coordination and integration with other sectors within DRC Kakuma and ensure full coordination with communities and community-leaders
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders including the Government Children Officer, County government, UN agencies and other humanitarian agencies working on CP.

R5. Staff Management and Development: 

• Provide supervision to Assistant Paediatric Counsellor(s) to ensure effective provision of counselling services to identified children at risk
• Take lead in ensuring that all protection staff participate in debriefing and professional supervision and lead peer debriefing sessions with Assistant Psychosocial Officers and Para-counsellors.
• Conduct continuous performance monitoring/evaluation for national staff working under him/her and provide feedback
• Provide leadership and technical guidance on the counselling program. 

Experience and technical competencies:  

• At least 4 years’ hands on experience in providing psychosocial support and counseling to children survivors of trauma, SGBV and other children at risk
• Must have in depth technical expertise in case management and psychosocial support -pediatric counseling to children at risk including Unaccompanied children and separated children (UASCs)
• Experience with conducting and review of best interest assessments (BIA) and Best interest determination (BID)
• Experience in providing trauma counseling 
• Experience in providing psychological first aid (PFA)
• Experience and technical knowledge in establishing community-based child protection networks including foster careers, committees etc.
• Knowledge of international and national child protection standards and instruments 
• Experience and proven ability to work as part of a team and lead teams to strive for result
• Excellent analytical and writing skills; cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local partners and other stakeholders
• Experience and willingness to work in the field and proficient in the use of computer/email/internet  

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in (Counselling psychology, clinical psychology, any other relevant Social Sciences)
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili.

Deadline 19 October 2022