Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) Specialist at Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) Specialist

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Type of Role: 13 month FTC
Reports to: Country Director
Functional Area: Programme / Humanitarian
Reports to: Emergency Response Manager
Travel Required: Occasional
Grade: E

Role Purpose

Plan International Nigeria is seeking an experienced Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) Specialist to manage and lead on the child protection and child survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) portfolio as part of Plan International Nigeria’s Response to the Crisis in North-East Nigeria.
CPiE is one of the main pillars of Plan International Nigeria’s responses to the humanitarian crisis in North-East Nigeria and a crucial component of the Regional Lake Chad Programme Strategy of Plan International in West and Central Africa.

The Opportunity

As the Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) Specialist, you will manage and lead on the child protection and child survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) portfolio as part of Plan International Nigeria’s Response to the crisis in North-East Nigeria. You will ensure quality child protection programming across the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, whilst also managing strategic partnerships and external relationships with donors.
In this role you will work closely with the Emergency Response Manager and the project team to lead on the effective delivery of the child protection commitment in the humanitarian response. You will also carry out continuous reviews to assess and update the child protection situation in Nigeria.

The Individual:

We are seeking to appoint an organised individual who has demonstrable technical expertise in implementing community-based child protection responses. You will have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in child protection in emergencies work. You will also have experience in using participatory learning approaches and you will have the ability to train a variety of audiences on child protection technical areas.
To be successful in this role you will have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. You will have excellent negotiation and representation skills and you will also have the ability to work comfortably with ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.

Dimensions of the Role

The position will ensure quality child protection programming across the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
S/he will lead the design of CPiE and child survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) programs and interventions through the development of a CPiE strategy and working with business development to properly resource the CPiE portfolio.
S/he will manage strategic partnerships and external relationships with coordination and donors.
Working closely with the Emergency Response Manager and the project team, the role will lead on effective delivery of Child protection commitment in the humanitarian response.

Accountabilities:

In collaboration with the Field Teams and the Emergency Response Manager, the CPiE Specialist will be responsible for:

Assessment:

Ensure child protection and GBV risks and strategies are assessed on a regular basis.
Ensure that Plan International’s child protection assessment activities are coordinated with protection actors, stakeholders and governmental and non-governmental agencies (and military where present).
Assess in-country resources, human, material and financial for response with relevant staff and agencies.
Identify potential partnerships to implement recommendations, assess potential partners where available or make recommendations on how to fill gaps.
Carry out continuous review; assess and update the child protection situation

Program Review and Design:

Review and define aims and objectives of the overall child protection program in alignment with the overall programme strategy of the Lake Chad Unit.
In collaboration with the implementation team, map current institutional response capacities, develop an evidence‐based, child protection strategy including both programmatic and influencing activities (results-oriented). Include programming specific to child survivors of SGBV.
Design most appropriate child protection interventions based on the outcomes of assessments and the context and adjust interventions as needed.
Ensure that issues of gender, DRR, and conflict sensitivity are factored into the program design. Ensure Plan’s guidelines, CP Minimum Standards and GBV Minimum Standards are considered and any departures documented.
Work in close collaboration with other program specialists (i.e. EiE, YEE, etc.) to ensure that CPiE interventions build upon each other and link to the overall Lake Chad Strategy.
Develop a program plan, concept papers, and proposals in respect of the above and to support resource mobilization to meet the ambition of the NE Nigeria Response.

Response Management and Implementation:

Work closely with the relevant implementation manager(s) to ensure that the implementation of relevant activities are planned and carried out in a phased manner based on agreed-upon priorities, in consultation and coordination with relevant stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental.
Coordinate with other Lake Chad CPiE Specialists, contributing to a regional response to identified child protection concerns, as well as leveraging shared contextual knowledge and expertise
Provide technical guidance and direction to PLAN for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of agreed child protection plans.
Make frequent field visits to all affected areas to monitor the implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed.
Provide ongoing capacity building to field teams, assessing their capacity building needs and developing individualized plans which include both training and on-the-ground coaching.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

Design and develop appropriate monitoring, evaluation and learning systems for child protection interventions.
Evaluate the implementation of PLAN child protection activities and draft recommendations for improved program design
Draft child protection interventions reports to serve as standalone deliverables or to be included in larger emergency response reports for both donor and internal purposes.
Disseminate learning as appropriate among PLAN staff and other stakeholders.
Ensure early and rigorous implementation of quality and child-friendly accountability mechanisms.

Information and Coordination:

Provide regular updates to Emergency Response Manager, Lake Chad CPiE Specialist, Lake Chad Learning Community and emergency team on progress, priorities and constraints – verbally and in writing on an agreed frequency.
Engage and follow up with relevant implementation manager(s).
Represent PLAN to governmental and non-governmental groups as needed and agreed with the Team Leader.
Actively engage and represent PLAN in child protection coordination mechanisms including any relevant cluster.
Provide brief updates and reports on sectoral activities/strategies to donors and other stakeholders.

Human Resources and Administration:

Identify the staffing needs for the child protection response and support the recruitment process for these staff
Coordinate and/or implement training and briefing of PLAN staff, partners, and other key stakeholders on child protection and/or related issues.
Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Key Relationships:

Emergency Response Manager; Country Director; Head of Programs and Business Development; Head of Finance; Procurement & Logistics Manager; Human Resources Manager; Lake Chad CPiE Advisor, IH Disaster Preparedness and Response Manager; Regional DRM Manager

Technical Expertise, Skills And Knowledge

Essential:

University Degree in Social Work, a Social Science or another related field (masters preferred)
Minimum of 5 years (of which at least 3 in the field) of progressively responsible professional experience in child protection in emergencies work.
Demonstrable technical expertise in implementing community-based child protection responses.
Experience with participatory learning approaches.
Experience of conducting child protection assessments in emergency contexts.
Experience of training on child protection technical areas with a variety of audiences.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent written and spoken English
Demonstrated ability to network and liaise with major food assistance donors
Excellent project design, participatory monitoring and evaluation skills
Excellent communication skills: well-argued plans for response that can be justified and delivered, persuasive of others.
Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local and international staff and also able to work with disaster-affected communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
Excellent negotiation, representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
Ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and manage significant activities, budgets, and resources to produce and take responsibility for results
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively.
Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Strong organizational and work prioritization skills and attention to detail
Good facilitation skills and ability to deliver induction briefing/training.
Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels, and to maintain this under pressure.
Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.

Plan International’s Values In Practice

We are open and accountable:

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

We strive for lasting impact:

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

We work well together:

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

We are inclusive and empowering:

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

Physical Environment: