Technical Specialist – Child Protection

Save the Children

Job Type

Full Time

Location

Somalia

Description :

Child Safeguarding:  Level 3:  the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:  With the overall direction and guidance of the Head of CRG and CP and as a senior member of Programme Development and Quality (PDQ) the CP – TS shares the responsibility of initiating, leading and overseeing the development and delivery of high quality, innovative, cost effective programmes in CP in dual mandate programming, resulting in immediate and lasting change for children across SC Somalia/Somaliland Country Programme (Somaliland, Puntland and Central South Somalia). The TS is also shares with CRG and CP Head the responsibility of initiating and taking technical leadership in CRG & CP focused studies, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices and capacity building of key stakeholders by working together with quality programmes and operations teams; proactively initiating and supporting his line manager and others through networking and collaboration with relevant civil society organisations and other institutions; playing a leading role in establishing, maintaining and expanding donor relations for the sector and thereby contribute to the efforts of increasing the child protection funding portfolio.

SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Head of Child Rights Governance and Child Protection (CRG and CP)
Dimensions: Save the Children works in [four] regions in [Somalia/Somaliland] with a current staff complement of approximately [507] staff and current expenditure of approximately [US$80] million each year.
Staff directly reporting to this post: None

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Programme Development   

With support and guidance from the Head of CRG and CP, identify the formulation of the CP strategy, program implementation and related training materials on case management and psychosocial support as per international guidelines 

In coordination with other actors conduct psychosocial well-being of affected children and communities  in emergencies  

Identify and promote psychosocial support responses that address the needs of children and their families in affected communities.  

Take the technical lead on any psychosocial  assessment prospects or publication that may be developed 

With support and guidance from Head of CRG and CP, lead on development of thematic strategy in CRG and CP, in programme and policy designs in line with Save the Children’s Country Strategic Plan for Somalia/Somaliland 

With support and guidance of Head of CRG and CP, lead in developing and realising practical CRG and CP plans as part of Country Annual Plans  

Work together with quality programmes team to initiate and design high quality, cost-effective, innovative and sustainable project proposals and concept notes for the sectors 

Proactively seek information on potential donor sources and share project opportunities in CRG and CP with quality programmes and operations teams linking to Country and Area strategies on CRG and CP  

As the guidance of the Head of CRG and CP establish and maintain strong working relationship with CP technical advisors of SC members and SCI CP Global themes (globally and regionally) and  thereby ensure that the country programme benefits from possible opportunities (funding and other programme developments areas) arising from such relationships  

Seek strategic linkage and integration with other thematic areas of Somalia/Somaliland programme i.e. education, food security and livelihoods, health & nutrition for developing integrated programmes for difficult to reach children in Somalia/Somaliland
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:- Based on guidance and in coordination with the Head of CRG and CP 

Lead and mentor SC and partners’ staff in conducting psychosocial needs assessment before, during and after a disaster or conflict.  

Provide training to SC and partners’ staff , teachers, community health workers on psychosocial care and support services (counselling, community education, community mobilization and psychological first aid)  

Train SC and partner staff about introduction to psychosocial support (PSS), psychotherapy and art therapy tools 

Train and enhance the capacity of SC and partner staff to improve PSS change in their communities.  Train and mentor SC and partner staff to establish and strengthen referral systems for child survivors of abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation based on existing local care systems.   Enhance/train the capacity of SC and partners’ staff  in the provision of psychological first aid   Technically guide and support SC and partner staff to establish a link between existing local psychosocial support and child protection systems.  

Provide guidance and technical support on developing specific psychosocial support, case management and family tracing and reunification activities and/or interventions for affecteddisplaced children, populations and host communities; 

Develop and implement a relevant and sustainable capacity building plan for Area/operations teams, partners and consortium members on CP for quality delivery of concerned projects and enhanced local capacity for sustainable promotion of Save the Children’s goals on child protection in Somalia/Somaliland   

Support Area/operations teams and relevant project/programme managers in relevant technical capacity of children, parents, communities, schools, other institutions and government to improve child protection practices and policies in Somalia/Somaliland 

Build technical capacity in the area teams, partners and consortium members to produce top class donor reports of projects related to child protection, by working with quality programmes team  Support the Area/operations team in identifying and addressing technical gaps in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of CRG/CP projects, in coordination with quality programmes team  

Lead on and ensure the technical quality delivery of CRG/CP projects of the country programme.
Representation and Advocacy – Based on guidance and in coordination with the Head of CRG and CP Work with quality programmes team to support Area/operations teams in developing local-specific advocacy strategies and messages in the area of CRG and CP  

Support Area teams as requested and build their capacity to lead representation and advocacy in technical, government and civil society fora within Somalia/Somaliland for CRG and CP     Participate as delegated in relevant external fora including donor meetings and clusters related to CP and thereby take proactive actions to profile SC’s work and exploited possible opportunities     Identify key opportunities and events for Save the Children to position itself as the leading organisation for  CP in Somalia and Somaliland  

Identify and secure potential technical resource persons and organisations for their support in advancing Save the Children’s advocacy in the sectors. This involves forging partnerships.
Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation  Based on guidance and in coordination with the Head of CRG and CP 

Conduct regular field visits to monitor and support PSS, case management and family tracing and reunification  activities and interventions provided, and ensure technical quality of programming  Work closely with quality programmes and operations teams to ensure that all projects related to CRG and CP have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines 

Assist the Area teams in technical assessments of local/implementing partners 

Technically assist quality programmes team, Area teams and partners to carry out regular monitoring and measure and report on achievement and progress towards project objectives and results.  

Along with quality programmes team, organise periodic technical project review meetings with Area teams (programme/project managers) and consortium partners and internally share progress and action 

Carry out extensive field visits to document observations and experiences and share them with Area, quality and technical teams and influence management action for improvement of technical aspects in projects.   

Work with quality programmes team to carry out relevant studies and document and disseminate good practices in projects related to CRG and CP

People Management and Coordination   

Work closely with quality programme and operations team in a matrix management environment for development and implementation of high quality projects in CRG/CP  programming.    

As agreed with Head of CRG and CP, functionally line manage CP technical staff in the Area/operations teams by coaching, mentoring and providing periodic constructive feedback for learning and development and capacity building 

Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our full spectrum programming, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors.

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Applying Technical and Professional Expertise 

Makes decisions based on professional expertise and experience without deferring unnecessarily to others 

Shares knowledge and best practice on technical solutions so that others can make best use of that expertise 

Actively seeks new ways to develop the application of technical and professional standards within the team Delivering Results 

Delivers timely and appropriate results using available resources 

Takes responsibility for their work and its impact on others 

Plans, prioritises and performs tasks well without needing direct supervision 

Understands the link between their work and the organisation’s objectives
Innovating and Adapting 

Suggests creative improvements and better ways of working 

Seeks out and applies successful ideas from others to overcome challenges 

Shifts tasks, roles and priorities to perform effectively under changing or unclear conditions  Applies lessons learned to enhance future ways of working
Communicating with Impact 

Conveys complex issues with clarity, brevity and confidence 

Promotes dialogue with key stakeholders through active listening and effective questioning  Adapts communication style to maximise support and engagement 

Advises others on different approaches to influence key stakeholders 

Seeks out new methodologies for communication to engage new audiences
Networking 

Actively participates in networks to access and contribute to good practice

Gathers and distributes organisational intelligence Maintains and develops a range of contacts and keeps them informed 

Knows what is needed from contacts and what they need to benefit from the relationship too
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

University degree in Psychology, Social Work (trained Clinical Psychologist or Therapist is preferred) and related field; solid experience and training in providing trainings on psychosocial support, case management and psychological first aid; experience in child protection in emergencies; project planning and management techniques, is expected.   

At least 5 years of experience in humanitarian psychosocial support programming, direct assistance to IDP and children affected by conflict including broad based knowledge of child protection with children and youth.  

Experience in therapy tools and workshops  

Advanced training on counselling and psychosocial care and support   

Solid experience and training on Psychological First Aid 

Knowledge and familiarity with IASC Guidelines, Child Protection Minimum Standards in humanitarian setting.  

Knowledge of current regional and local debates on CP policies and practices  

Recommended a minimum of six years of relevant technical experience including two years at senior level  

Proven skills and experience in undertaking assessments and designing/writing quality technical proposals in the sector 

Proven experience in programme development, project cycle management and monitoring and evaluation related to the sector including writing up high quality project/donor reports 

Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical child protection projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs 

Proven experience and skills in advocacy and building work relationships with local/national governments and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors  

Solid experience and excellent skills in capacity building of systems, staff, partners and other actors related to CP   

Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams  

Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching 

Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures 

Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets 

Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in 

Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner 

Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies 

Willingness to be deployed part or full time in to emergency response as per need and as directed    Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required 

Commitment to Save the Children values

CHILD SAFEGUARING POLICY:
Any employee, consultant, contractor or the supplier undertaking an activity on behalf of SCI must sign the Child Safeguarding – Declaration of Acceptance  Form] and comply with the SCI’s Child Safeguarding Policy which is a statement of SCI’s commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children with whom it comes into contact.

This extends not only to children with whom SCI and its partners work directly, but also includes children whom staff are responsible for.  SCI believes that the situation of children must be improved through the promotion of their rights supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children International’s Code of Conduct sets out the standards, which all staff members must adhere to.

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