Child Protection Officer - (MHPSS and CM)

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realize the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

•            No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday

•            All children learn from a quality basic education and that,

•            Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

SCI - Afghanistan 

 Save the Children has been working in Afghanistan since 1976. Our way of working close to people and on their own terms has enabled us to deliver lasting change to tens of thousands of children in the country. The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child is the basis of our work.

We are helping children get a better education, we make it possible for more boys and girls to attend school, we help children protect themselves and influence their own conditions. We work with families, communities and health workers in homes, clinics and hospitals to promote basic health in order to save lives of children and mothers

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 2: either the post holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or the post holder will be working  in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check  will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).

ROLE PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Child Protection Coordinator and in coordination with subordinate staff will be responsible for implementing Save the Children’s activities on child protection, to make the delivery of the child rights and child protection in practice. This post holder will be responsible to technically support partner organization(s) child protection staff in the province.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Child protection Coordinator 
Staff reporting to this post: MHPSS and Case workers   
Direct:6
Indirect : 0
Budget Responsibilities: N/A
Role Dimensions: Coordination, communication with stakeholders, team member,beneficiaries)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY : 
1.    Provide supportive supervision to case workers and MHPSS team
2.    Hold weekly case meetings with case workers and MHPSS within department 
3.    Access, track and update CP cases management and MHPSS database 
4.    Support the case workers and MHPSS to Undertake and meet all case management and MHPSS responsibilities in relation to individual children, including drafting of case plans within two weeks of identification, as directed by the line manager. 
5.    Safe storage of all case management and MHPSS forms, ensuring confidentiality and sharing information with approved individuals on a need to know basis.
6.    Providing support, guidance and counselling to families and individuals in need, including facilitation of group PSS sessions.
7.    Mapping and regular update of the existing services and awareness raising on existing services among targeted communities.
8.    Providing capacity building sessions for communities on Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting, CPiE and (NEVA) Neglect, Exploitation, Violence and Abuse, 
9.    Provide technical supervision and support of field staff and (relevant partners) staff through regular contact, field visits or meetings.
10.    Conduct induction meetings with families, teachers, community, and other stakeholders to establish children group.
11.    Attending and completing a one-year MHPSS training program to gain skill and knowledge about MHPSS services, best practices and strategies.
12.    The psychosocial councillors need to offer his/her full commitment for the completion of the course and the project.
13.    Providing ongoing psychosocial support for vulnerable, at-risk children and adolescents and families through one-on-one and / or group sessions, sometimes in coordination with teachers and or other thematic areas within SC’s programmatic intervention.
14.    To assist the child protection officer in developing the questionnaire and field test tools and techniques for 
a.    rapid assessments and training materials/ modules.
15.    Raising awareness with children, families and community leader to bring positive changes in the children life and create a protective environment for them, and to reduce stigmatization of mental health through community dialogues and engagement.
16.    Work with teachers to build capacity respond to MHPSS needs in the classroom, and to safely identify and refer cases.
17.    Utilizing knowledge and resources in efficient manner to input for designing future intervention to improve the lives and access to opportunity of affected children in and around the city/ province.
18.    Ensure the effective and efficient use of all SC Afghanistan resources in order to keep costs low and ensure safety in the workplace

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
•    holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
•    holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
•    sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
•    widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
•    future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
•    builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
•    values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
•    approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
•    develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
•    willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
•    honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS  

•    Having Bachelor's Degree in relevant Field.
•    Previous experience working on child protection or education Projects
•    Good Oral and Written English Skills
•    Having 3 years of relevant working experience in CP or supervisor position.

•    Proven Computer skills in Word, Excel and other MS Office software
•    Proven Administration skills
•    Ability to travel within project coverage districts & other provinces as needed

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Essential
•    Experience Training, facilitation, community mobilization, implementation with local partner and child protection
Desireable
•    Understanding of local languages and customs

Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties from time to time which are reasonable in relation to their level of skills and experience.

In the event of a significant humanitarian emergency, the post-holder will be expected to work outside their normal job description; vary their working hours; and occasionally work from a different location should the need arise.

Equal Opportunities 
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Health and Safety
The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Qualified applicants are highly encouraged to apply for the position by filling in the online application form. In addition to the online application form, they can also attach their CV and cover letter in the online system. Please note that only the applications received through the online portal will be considered for this position.

Applicants can login to the online application system by copying and pasting the following link intro their web browser. Returning users will need to enter their username and password, first time users will need to create a user account.

It is recommended that you save your username and password for future job applications through the online system.

Link: Child Protection Officer - (CP & MHPSS) - SCI Career Site Careers

Save the Children International (SCI) is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion as core to our vision and values. We provide equitable employment opportunities and aim to increase the representation of women, people with disabilities, and individuals from minority groups to effectively meet the diverse needs of the children and communities we serve.

At SCI, we value the authentic selves of everyone, including you! If you have any access needs or require support due to a disability or other reasons, please let us know at the time of your application. We are here to assist you and ensure an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience.

Please note: SCI does not request any fees during any stage of the recruitment process.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.